Prodidomus capensis
| Cape Prodidomus Pale Ground Spider | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Prodidomidae |
| Genus: | Prodidomus |
| Species: | P. capensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Prodidomus capensis Purcell, 1904[1]
| |
Prodidomus capensis is a species of spider in the family Prodidomidae.[2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Cape Prodidomus pale ground spider.[3]
Distribution
[edit]Prodidomus capensis is found across three South African provinces: Eastern Cape, Limpopo, and Western Cape.[3] The species has a wide distribution, ranging in altitude from 7 to 1,146 m above sea level.[3] Notable locations include Dunbrody in the Eastern Cape; several sites in Limpopo including Vhembe Biosphere Nwanedi Game Reserve, Vhembe Biosphere Gondeni, Little Leigh in the Western Soutpansberg, and Blouberg Nature Reserve; and numerous sites in the Western Cape including De Hoop Nature Reserve, Clanwilliam, various locations in the Cederberg Wilderness Area, Cape Town, and Bontebok National Park.[3]
Habitat and ecology
[edit]The species is a free-running ground dweller found in the Fynbos, Thicket, and Savanna biomes.[3]
Description
[edit]![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (September 2025) |
Prodidomus capensis is known only from the female. The species is rufescent in coloration, with legs paler and more yellowish than the carapace. The abdomen is very pale yellowish, with the upper surface tinted with purple, especially posteriorly. Total trunk length is 6.8 mm.[3]
Conservation
[edit]Prodidomus capensis is listed as Least Concern due to its wide geographical range despite being known only from one sex.[3] There are no significant threats to the species, and it is protected in several areas including Blouberg Nature Reserve, Nwanedi Game Reserve, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Cederberg Wilderness Area, and Bontebok National Park.[3]
Taxonomy
[edit]The species was originally described by W.F. Purcell in 1904 from Cape Town.[1] It has not been revised since its original description and is known only from the female.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Purcell, W.F. (1904). "Descriptions of new genera and species of South African spiders". Transactions of the South African Philosophical Society. 15: 115–173.
- ^ "Prodidomus capensis Purcell, 1904". 26. World Spider Catalog. doi:10.24436/2. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2023). The Prodidomidae of South Africa. 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. pp. 1–42. doi:10.5281/zenodo.7515818. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
