Dresserus angusticeps
| Dresserus angusticeps | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Eresidae |
| Genus: | Dresserus |
| Species: | D. angusticeps
|
| Binomial name | |
| Dresserus angusticeps Purcell, 1904[1]
| |
Dresserus angusticeps is a species of spider in the family Eresidae.[2] It is endemic to South Africa .[3]
Etymology
The species name angusticeps is derived from Latin angustus (narrow) and ceps (head).
Distribution
Dresserus angusticeps is endemic to the Western Cape province of South Africa. The species has been recorded from two coastal localities: St Helena Bay and Brands-se-Baai.[3]
Habitat and ecology
The species is a ground dweller that constructs retreat webs and is found mainly under stones in the Fynbos biome. It inhabits coastal areas at altitudes ranging from 84 to 109 m above sea level.[3]
Description
Dresserus angusticeps is known only from females. The opisthosoma is speckled with white setae above, and spots form lines of white setae at the sides.[3]
Conservation
Dresserus angusticeps is listed as Data Deficient due to taxonomic reasons. The species has a very restricted range. The status remains obscure as males have not been collected, and more sampling is needed to determine the species' full range. The species is threatened by habitat loss due to farming activities in the St Helena Bay area.[3]
Taxonomy
The species was originally described by William Frederick Purcell in 1904 from St Helena Bay in the Western Cape. It has not been revised since its original description and remains known only from the female sex.[3]
References
- ^ Purcell, W.F. (1904). "Descriptions of new genera and species of South African spiders". Transactions of the South African Philosophical Society. 15: 115–173. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.12821.
- ^ "Dresserus angusticeps Purcell, 1904". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2022). The Eresidae of South Africa. Version 2. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 7. doi:10.5281/zenodo.6331366. Retrieved 21 September 2025. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.