Theuma capensis

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Cape Theuma Long Spinnered Ground Spider
Female
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Prodidomidae
Genus: Theuma
Species:
T. capensis
Binomial name
Theuma capensis

Theuma capensis is a species of spider in the family Prodidomidae.[2] It is a southern African endemic commonly known as the Cape Theuma long spinnered ground spider.[3]

Distribution

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Theuma capensis occurs in Botswana and South Africa.[3]

In South Africa, it is recorded from Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, and Western Cape, with notable locations including Erfenis Dam Nature Reserve, Tembe Elephant Park, Namaqua National Park, Anysberg Nature Reserve, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Cederberg Wilderness Area, Bontebok National Park, and Robben Island.[3]

Habitat and ecology

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Theuma capensis is a free-running ground dweller found in multiple biomes including Fynbos, Grassland, Nama Karoo, and Savanna biomes at altitudes ranging from 63 to 1,523 m above sea level.[3]

Description

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See also: Glossary of spider terms

Conservation

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Theuma capensis is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide geographical range.[3] There are no significant threats to the species, and it is protected in more than ten protected areas.[3]

Taxonomy

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The species was originally described by William Frederick Purcell in 1907 from Camps Bay in the Western Cape.[1] It has not been revised but is known from both sexes.[3]

References

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  1. ^ a b Purcell, W.F. (1907). "New South African spiders of the family Drassidae in the collection of the South African Museum". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. 7. 20 (118): 299. doi:10.1080/00222930709487339.
  2. ^ "Theuma capensis Purcell, 1907". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2023). The Prodidomidae of South Africa. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 27. doi:10.5281/zenodo.7515818. Retrieved 24 September 2025. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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