Scytodes quinqua

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Namibia Spitting Spider
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Scytodidae
Genus: Scytodes
Species:
S. quinqua
Binomial name
Scytodes quinqua

Scytodes quinqua is a species of spider in the family Scytodidae.[2] It is found in Namibia and South Africa and is commonly known as the Namibia spitting spider.[3]

Distribution

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Scytodes quinqua is found in Namibia and South Africa, where it is known only from Limpopo Province.[3]

Habitat and ecology

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The species inhabits the Savanna biome at altitudes ranging from 894 to 1372 m above sea level. It is a wandering spider collected from under stones and dark places on the soil surface.[3]

Description

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See also: Glossary of spider terms

Scytodes quinqua has a short central stripe just behind the eyes which continues in front of the eyes to the edge of the clypeus. The legs have coxae and trochanters without markings, except the first coxa which has an indistinct apical stripe. The femora of legs I and II have an indistinct basal, a median, and an apical band, while legs III and IV have irregular spots and blotches throughout.[3]

Conservation

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Scytodes quinqua is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide geographical range. The species is protected in Blouberg Nature Reserve.[3]

Taxonomy

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The species has not been revised and is known only from juveniles. The carapace has been illustrated.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Lawrence, R.F. (1927). "Contributions to a knowledge of the fauna of South-West Africa V. Arachnida". Annals of the South African Museum. 25 (1): 8. doi:10.5962/bhl.part.10095.
  2. ^ "Scytodes quinqua Lawrence, 1927". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Booysen, R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2021). The Scytodidae of South Africa. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 28. doi:10.5281/zenodo.7157802. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.