Gandanameno fumosa
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Spotted Velvet Spider | |
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Eresidae |
| Genus: | Gandanameno |
| Species: | G. fumosa |
| Binomial name | |
| Gandanameno fumosa (C. L. Koch, 1837) | |
| Synonyms | |
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Gandanameno fumosa is a species of spider in the family Eresidae.[1] It is endemic to southern Africa and is commonly known as the spotted velvet spider.[2]
The species epithet "fumosa" is derived from Latin meaning "smoky", referring to the spider's spotty coloration.
Distribution
Gandanameno fumosa is found in South Africa and Namibia.[1]
In South Africa, it occurs across the provinces Eastern Cape, Free State, Limpopo, Northern Cape, and Western Cape.[2]
Habitat and ecology
The species inhabits multiple biomes including Fynbos, Savanna, Grassland, Desert, and Succulent Karoo biomes at altitudes ranging from 9 to 1,399 m above sea level.[2]
Gandanameno fumosa usually lives on bark and builds a funnel-like retreat with the entrance sheltered under a flat, tarpaulin-like signal-web. The species constructs these retreats on trees, providing protection while maintaining access to prey.[2]
Description
Gandanameno fumosa is known from both sexes. The opisthosoma displays white spots with white rings around the dorsal stigmata. The femora of the anterior legs are thickly covered with minute sharp spinules, which helps distinguish this species from related taxa.[2]
