Anyphops leleupi
| Leleup's Anyphops Flat Spider | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Selenopidae |
| Genus: | Anyphops |
| Species: | A. leleupi
|
| Binomial name | |
| Anyphops leleupi Benoit, 1972[1]
| |
Anyphops leleupi is a species of spider in the family Selenopidae.[2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as Leleup's Anyphops flat spider.[3]
Distribution
Anyphops leleupi occurs in two South African provinces: Limpopo and Mpumalanga. Notable localities include Mariepskop, Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve, Wolkberg Wilderness Area, and Blouberg Nature Reserve.[3]
Habitat and ecology
The species inhabits the Savanna biome at altitudes ranging from 762 to 1407 m above sea level. These are free-living cryptozoic nocturnal spiders that have been sampled from tree bark.[3]
Description
Known only from the female. The anterior tibiae have 6 pairs of inferior spines. Total length is 9.5 mm.[3]
Conservation
Anyphops leleupi is listed as Least Concern due to its wide geographical range. The species is protected in multiple reserves including Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve, Lhuvhondo Nature Reserve, Blouberg Nature Reserve, and Hanglip Forest Reserve.[3]
Taxonomy
The species was described by Benoit in 1972 from Mariepskop in Mpumalanga.[1]
References
- ^ a b Benoit, P.L.G. (1972). "Notules arachnologiques africaines II". Revue de Zoologie et de Botanique Africaines. 85: 177.
- ^ "Anyphops leleupi Benoit, 1972". World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern. doi:10.24436/2. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
- ^ a b c d e Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2020). The Selenopidae of South Africa. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 30. doi:10.5281/zenodo.7162139. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.