Stegodyphus mimosarum
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Stegodyphus mimosarum, the African social velvet spider, is a species of the genus Stegodyphus, one of the velvet spiders. It is a social species found in South Africa and Madagascar.[1]
Similar to closely related species such as Stegodyphus sarasinorum, S. mimosarum engages in communal living which involves remaining with the same colony even when prey availability is low, moving away in order to expand the nest not due to lack of food.
Stegodyphus mimosarum is widely distributed throughout Africa and Madagascar.[2]
In South Africa, the species is recorded from eight provinces and seven protected areas.[3] Notable locations include Kruger National Park, Swartberg Nature Reserve, Bontebok National Park, and Ndumo Game Reserve.[3]
Habitat and ecology
Description
male and female
Stegodyphus mimosarum is known from both sexes.[3]
Conservation
Stegodyphus mimosarum is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide geographical range. It is protected in more than ten protected areas.[3]
