Afrarchaea haddadi
| Afrarchaea haddadi | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Archaeidae |
| Genus: | Afrarchaea |
| Species: | A. haddadi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Afrarchaea haddadi Lotz, 2006
| |
Afrarchaea haddadi is a species of spider of the genus Afrarchaea. It is endemic to South Africa.[1]
Etymology
The species is named after South African arachnologist Charles R. Haddad.[2]
Distribution
Afrarchaea haddadi is known only from Komga, 40 km from Kei River Mouth in the Eastern Cape province, South Africa. The species has an extremely restricted range of only 4 km², at an elevation of 78 metres above sea level.[3]
Habitat
The species inhabits coastal forest within the Indian Ocean Coastal Belt biome. It has been collected under dead palm leaves on the ground and under stones in this specialized coastal forest environment.[3]
Description
Afrarchaea haddadi exhibits the characteristic features of the genus, including a greatly elevated cephalic region and elongated chelicerae. Currently, only females are known; the male remains undescribed.[2]
Conservation status
Afrarchaea haddadi is classified as Data Deficient for Taxonomic reasons (DDT) by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. The species is suspected to occur in surrounding areas of coastal forest, but its status remains unclear. Additional sampling is needed to collect males and determine the species' true range and population status.[3]
Behaviour
Females have been observed carrying egg sacs, demonstrating the typical maternal care behaviour seen in the genus Afrarchaea.[3]
References
- ^ "Afrarchaea haddadi Lotz, 2006". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ^ a b Lotz, L.N. (2006). "Afrotropical Archaeidae: 3. The female of Eriauchenius cornutus and new species of Afrarchaea (Arachnida: Araneae) from South Africa". Navorsinge van die Nasionale Museum Bloemfontein. 22: 113–126.
- ^ a b c d Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2021). "South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide: The Archaeidae of South Africa". Version 1: 1–20. doi:10.5281/zenodo.5982745. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.