Xerophaeus ahenus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Steinkopf Mouse Ground Spider | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Gnaphosidae |
| Genus: | Xerophaeus |
| Species: | X. ahenus |
| Binomial name | |
| Xerophaeus ahenus | |
Xerophaeus ahenus is a species of spider in the family Gnaphosidae.[2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Steinkopf mouse ground spider.[3]
Xerophaeus ahenus is known from two South African provinces: the Northern Cape and Western Cape.[3]
Habitat and ecology
The species inhabits multiple biomes including Fynbos and Succulent Karoo biomes at altitudes ranging from 109 to 991 m above sea level.[3]
Xerophaeus ahenus are free-living ground dwellers.[3]
Description
Xerophaeus ahenus is known only from females. The cephalothorax is coppery-red in colour, with testaceous legs and a pale fulvous-yellow opisthosoma. The chelicerae and sternum are red. The total size is 10.5 mm.[3]
