Runcinia flavida
Species of spider
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Runcinia flavida is a species of spider in the family Thomisidae.[3] It is commonly known as the long Runcinia grass crab spider and has a wide distribution across Africa and Spain.[4]
| Long Runcinia Grass Crab Spider | |
|---|---|
| |
| female | |
 | |
| male | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Thomisidae |
| Genus: | Runcinia |
| Species: | R. flavida |
| Binomial name | |
| Runcinia flavida | |
| Synonyms[3] | |
| |
Distribution
Habitat and ecology
Runcinia flavida are free-living on plants and mostly sampled from grass. The species has been found in all floral biomes except the Desert and Succulent Karoo biomes, at altitudes ranging from 4 to 1,842 m. The species has also been sampled in pine plantations and strawberry fields.[4]
Adults are found throughout the year and it takes one year to reach maturity.[5]
Description
female
male
juvenile female
The species is characterized by its elongated body form, from which the common name derives. Like other Runcinia species, it possesses eyes on distinct carinae and longitudinal striae on the abdomen.[4]
Conservation
Runcinia flavida is listed as Least Concern due to its wide geographical range. The species is recorded in more than thirty protected areas throughout South Africa.[4]
