Leucauge auronotum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Auronotum Silver Vlei Spider | |
|---|---|
 | |
| female | |
 | |
| female | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Tetragnathidae |
| Genus: | Leucauge |
| Species: | L. auronotum |
| Binomial name | |
| Leucauge auronotum | |
Leucauge auronotum is a species of spider in the family Tetragnathidae.[2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the auronotum silver vlei spider.[3]
Leucauge auronotum is found in the South African provinces of Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and Western Cape. Notable locations include Giant's Castle Nature Reserve, Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, and Bontebok National Park.[3]
Habitat and ecology
The species builds large orb-webs, usually near water or in shaded damp areas. They are active during the day, hanging head down in their webs. The plane of the web varies from slightly horizontal to 45 degrees.[3]
The species has been sampled from Grassland and Savanna biomes at altitudes ranging from 63 to 1,842 m.[3]
Description
Conservation
Leucauge auronotum is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. Although presently known only from females, the species has a wide geographical range.[3] It is protected in Giant's Castle Nature Reserve, Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, and Bontebok National Park.[3]
