Monaeses austrinus
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| White Band Monaeses Crab Spider | |
|---|---|
 | |
| female | |
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| male | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Thomisidae |
| Genus: | Monaeses |
| Species: | M. austrinus |
| Binomial name | |
| Monaeses austrinus | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Monaeses austrinus is a species of spider in the family Thomisidae.[2] It is endemic to Africa and is commonly known as the white band Monaeses crab spider.[3]
Monaeses austrinus is found in Botswana, Ivory Coast, Namibia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Eswatini.[2]
In South Africa, the species occurs in all nine provinces including more than 20 protected areas.[3] Notable locations include Golden Gate Highlands National Park, Kruger National Park, iSimangaliso Wetland Park, and Pilanesberg National Park.[3]
Habitat and ecology
Monaeses austrinus inhabits grass and low vegetation and is easily collected with a sweepnet.[3] The species is abundant in Forest, Indian Ocean Coastal Belt, Nama Karoo, Grassland, Thicket and Savanna biomes at altitudes ranging from 1 to 2,253 m.[3]
The species has also been sampled from cotton and pistachio plantations.[3]
Females have been collected in January, February, April and May, while males have been collected from November to April, mainly from grass.[3]
Description
female
male
male
Conservation
Monaeses austrinus is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide geographical range.[3] The species is protected in more than 20 protected areas.[3]
