Monaeses paradoxus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Spotted Monaeses Crab Spider | |
|---|---|
 | |
| female | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Thomisidae |
| Genus: | Monaeses |
| Species: | M. paradoxus |
| Binomial name | |
| Monaeses paradoxus | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Monaeses paradoxus is a species of spider in the family Thomisidae.[2] It has a very wide distribution and is commonly known as the spotted Monaeses crab spider.[3]
Monaeses paradoxus is found from Southern Europe to Iran, and throughout Africa.[2]
In South Africa, the species occurs in all nine provinces.[3] Notable locations include Kruger National Park, Tsitsikamma National Park, Pilanesberg National Park, and Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve.[3]
Habitat and ecology
Monaeses paradoxus inhabits grass and low vegetation and is easily collected with a sweepnet.[3]
The species is abundant in Fynbos, Forest, Indian Ocean Coastal Belt, Nama Karoo, Succulent Karoo, Grassland and Savanna biomes at altitudes ranging from 1 to 1,871 m.[3]
The species has also been sampled from cotton and pistachio orchards.[3]
Adults have been collected throughout the year, except during winter months.[3]
Description
Conservation
Monaeses paradoxus is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide global range.[3] The species is protected in more than 19 reserves.[3]
