Calommata transvaalica
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| Calommata transvaalica | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Female (left) and male (right) of Calommata transvaalica. (Scale bars: 5mm) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Mygalomorphae |
| Family: | Atypidae |
| Genus: | Calommata |
| Species: | C. transvaalica |
| Binomial name | |
| Calommata transvaalica Hewitt, 1916 | |
Calommata transvaalica, commonly known as Transvaal's African purse-web spider, is a species of spider in the genus Calommata of the family Atypidae.[1] It is endemic to South Africa.[2]
Calommata transvaalica is known from Gauteng and Limpopo provinces in South Africa. In Gauteng, it has been recorded from Hatfield (Pretoria), Roodeplaatdam Nature Reserve, Groenkloof Nature Reserve, and Zwartkoppies near Pretoria. In Limpopo, it occurs in the Blouberg Nature Reserve and the Soutpansberg mountains.[2]
Habitat and ecology
This species is a free-living burrow dweller found in both the Savanna and Grassland Biome of South Africa. Females were historically sampled by hand at Roodeplaat Dam near Pretoria, where their burrows were described as having an entrance slightly raised above the ground. From the inner rim, the burrow is neatly rounded off, gradually sloping outwards and downwards to ground level, with the outer surface covered with earth resembling the surroundings. The interior is lined with loose, highly adhesive silky webbing that may provide protection against intruders. The burrows reach depths of 22–25 cm.[2]
Males are collected in pitfall traps during spring and early summer (September to early December, October to January) during the mating season as they move around searching for females.[2]
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