Akyttara homunculus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Akyttara Zodariid spider | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Zodariidae |
| Genus: | Akyttara |
| Species: | A. homunculus |
| Binomial name | |
| Akyttara homunculus | |
Akyttara homunculus is a species of spider in the family Zodariidae.[2] It is endemic to southern Africa and is commonly known as the Akyttara Zodariid spider.[3]
Akyttara homunculus occurs in Botswana and South Africa.[3] Within South Africa, the species has been recorded from the Limpopo, Northern Cape, and Western Cape provinces. Notable localities include Kruger National Park, Namaqua National Park, Richtersveld National Park, and Tankwa Karoo National Park.[3]
Habitat
The species inhabits the Savanna and Succulent Karoo biomes at altitudes ranging from 40 to 1,336 metres above sea level. Akyttara homunculus is typically found in leaf litter and beneath rocks and logs in arid environments.[3]
Description
Akyttara homunculus is a small spider with females measuring little more than 2 mm in total length. Both sexes are yellow-brown in colour and superficially resemble Heradida species. The female is characterized by large anterior median eyes, a distinctive abdominal pattern, and the presence of a stridulating organ between the opisthosoma and cephalothorax.[1]
