Caesetius schultzei

Schultze's Caesetius Zodariid spider
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Zodariidae
Genus: Caesetius
Species:
C. schultzei
Binomial name
Caesetius schultzei
Simon, 1910[1]

Caesetius schultzei is a species of spider in the family Zodariidae.[2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as Schultze's Caesetius Zodariid spider.[3]

Distribution

Caesetius schultzei is endemic to South Africa, where it has been recorded from two provinces: Northern Cape and Western Cape. Notable localities include Kamaggas, Namaqua National Park, Cape Town, Table Mountain National Park, and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden.[3]

Habitat

The species inhabits Desert, Fynbos, and Succulent Karoo biomes at altitudes ranging from 5 to 1069 m above sea level.[3]

Description

Both males and females are known for this species. The carapace is medium brown with the cephalic part being paler, sparsely covered with pale silvery hairs and a cluster of darker, stronger hairs on the clypeus. The chelicerae are medium brown, while the sternum and legs are pale brown with femora being slightly darker. The opisthosoma is mottled grey and white with distinctive markings including a pale median stripe, white spots on apodemes, and numerous reddish hairs dorsally.[3]

Ecology

Caesetius schultzei are free-living ground-dwellers.[3]

Conservation

The species is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide geographical range. It is protected in Table Mountain National Park, Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, Namaqua National Park, and Richtersveld Transfrontier National Park.[3]

References

  1. ^ Simon, E. (1910). Arachnoidea: Araneae (II.). Vol. 16. pp. 175–218. {{cite book}}: |journal= ignored (help)
  2. ^ "Caesetius schultzei Simon, 1910". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Jocqué, R.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2024). The Zodariidae of South Africa. Part 1 (A-D) version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 25. doi:10.5281/zenodo.14404920. Retrieved 20 September 2025. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.