Microstigmata ukhahlamba
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Cathedral Peak Micro-mygalomorph Spider | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Mygalomorphae |
| Family: | Microstigmatidae |
| Genus: | Microstigmata |
| Species: | M. ukhahlamba |
| Binomial name | |
| Microstigmata ukhahlamba | |
Microstigmata ukhahlamba is a species of spider in the family Microstigmatidae.[2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Cathedral Peak micro-mygalomorph spider.[3]
Microstigmata ukhahlamba is endemic to South Africa, with its distribution recorded from the Drakensberg mountain range extending from KwaZulu-Natal to the Eastern Cape. The species has been recorded from Cathedral Peak Forest Station, Cathedral Peak Ndumeni Forest, Monks Cowl, Royal Natal National Park in KwaZulu-Natal, and Prentjiesberg in the Eastern Cape.[3]
Habitat and ecology
The species is a ground-dwelling spider that appears to be restricted to conditions of high humidity and relatively even temperature as found in the understory and litter layer of indigenous forest and close-canopy bush. The species has been sampled from litter and rotted bark in forest, particularly in the spray zone of water. It inhabits the Savanna and Forest biomes at altitudes ranging from 1,135 to 1,782 m above sea level.[3]
Description
Microstigmata ukhahlamba is known from both sexes.[3]
