Megamyrmaekion velox
| Kalahari Curly-Legged Ground Spider | |
|---|---|
| adult female | |
| adult female | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Gnaphosidae |
| Genus: | Megamyrmaekion |
| Species: | M. velox
|
| Binomial name | |
| Megamyrmaekion velox | |
Megamyrmaekion velox is a species of spider in the family Gnaphosidae.[2] It occurs in southern Africa and is commonly known as the Kalahari curly-legged ground spider.[3]
Distribution
Megamyrmaekion velox is recorded from Namibia and South Africa. In South Africa, it has been recorded from the Northern Cape province near Springbok.[3]
Habitat and ecology
The species is a free-living ground dweller.[3]
Description
-
female
-
female
Conservation
Megamyrmaekion velox is listed as Data Deficient due to uncertainty about the species' status. The original description by Simon in 1887 did not provide an exact locality, and while the species is listed as occurring in South Africa, the type material was collected by Dr. Hans Schinz who was known to collect in Namibia. More sampling is needed to confirm the species' identity and distribution.[3]
Etymology
The specific name is Latin for "quick, speedy".
Taxonomy
The species was described by Simon in 1887 but without providing an exact type locality. It has not been revised since the original description, and only the female is known.[3]
References
- ^ Simon, E. (1887). "Etudes arachnologiques. 20e Mémoire. XXVIII. Arachnides recueillis dans le sud de l'Afrique par M. le docteur Hans Schinz". Annales de la Société Entomologique de France. 7 (6): 369–384.
- ^ "Megamyrmaekion velox Simon, 1887". World Spider Catalog. doi:10.24436/2. Retrieved 25 September 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2021). The Gnaphosidae of South Africa. Part 2 (E-S). Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 25. doi:10.5281/zenodo.7197672. Retrieved 25 September 2025. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.