Xerophaeus crusculus

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Winterhoek Mouse Ground Spider
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Gnaphosidae
Genus: Xerophaeus
Species:
X. crusculus
Binomial name
Xerophaeus crusculus
Tucker, 1923[1]

Xerophaeus crusculus is a species of spider in the family Gnaphosidae.[2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Winterhoek mouse ground spider.[3]

Distribution

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Xerophaeus crusculus is recorded from four South African provinces: the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, and Western Cape.[3]

Habitat and ecology

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The species inhabits multiple biomes including Fynbos, Savanna, Succulent Karoo, and Thicket biomes at altitudes ranging from 15 to 2892 m above sea level. Xerophaeus crusculus are free-living ground dwellers.[3]

Description

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See also: Glossary of spider terms

Conservation

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Xerophaeus crusculus is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide range. The species is protected in Namaqua National Park, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Anysberg Nature Reserve, and Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve. There are no significant threats.[3]

Taxonomy

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The species was originally described by Tucker in 1923 from the Great Winterhoek Mountains. The species has not been revised but is known from both sexes.[3]

References

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  1. ^ Tucker, R.W.E. (1923). "The Drassidae of South Africa". Annals of the South African Museum. 19 (2): 251–437.
  2. ^ "Xerophaeus crusculus Tucker, 1923". World Spider Catalog.
  3. ^ a b c d e Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2021). The Gnaphosidae of South Africa. Part 3 (T-X). South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 42. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.