Xerophaeus phaseolus
| Cape Mouse Ground Spider | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Gnaphosidae |
| Genus: | Xerophaeus |
| Species: | X. phaseolus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Xerophaeus phaseolus | |
Xerophaeus phaseolus is a species of spider in the family Gnaphosidae.[2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Cape mouse ground spider.[3]
Distribution
[edit]Xerophaeus phaseolus is endemic to the Western Cape.[3]
Habitat and ecology
[edit]The species inhabits multiple biomes including Fynbos, Succulent Karoo, and Thicket biomes at altitudes ranging from 3 to 588 m above sea level. Xerophaeus phaseolus are free-living ground dwellers.[3]
Description
[edit]![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section is empty. You can help by adding to it. (September 2025) |
Conservation
[edit]Xerophaeus phaseolus is listed as Data Deficient for taxonomic reasons, though it has a wide geographical range. The species is protected in De Hoop Nature Reserve and Swartberg Nature Reserve. There are no significant threats.[3]
Taxonomy
[edit]The species was originally described by Tucker in 1923 from St Helena Bay, Steenberg Cove. The species has not been revised and is known only from the female.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ Tucker, R.W.E. (1923). "The Drassidae of South Africa". Annals of the South African Museum. 19 (2): 251–437.
- ^ "Xerophaeus phaseolus Tucker, 1923". World Spider Catalog.
- ^ 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. 55.
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