Palystes karooensis
Species of spider
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Palystes karooensis is a spider species in the family Sparassidae.[2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Karoo rain spider.[3]
| Karoo rain spider | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Sparassidae |
| Genus: | Palystes |
| Species: | P. karooensis |
| Binomial name | |
| Palystes karooensis Croeser, 1996[1] | |
Distribution
Palystes karooensis is found in the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape provinces. The species occurs in three protected areas including Karoo National Park and Swartberg Nature Reserve. Notable localities include Aberdeen, Cradock, Graaff-Reinet, Beaufort West, and Worcester.[3]
Habitat and ecology
Palystes karooensis is a nocturnal hunting spider. During the day, adults are inactive and shelter under loose bark, on vegetation, or in any suitable crevice. The species has been sampled from the Grassland, Nama Karoo, and Thicket biomes at altitudes ranging from 7 to 1,446 m.[3]
Description
Conservation
Palystes karooensis is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide geographical range. The species is protected in Karoo National Park and Swartberg Nature Reserve.[3]
