Oxyopes falconeri

Banded Face Lynx Spider
juvenile male
juvenile male
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Oxyopidae
Genus: Oxyopes
Species:
O. falconeri
Binomial name
Oxyopes falconeri
Lessert, 1915[1]

Oxyopes falconeri is a species of spider in the family Oxyopidae.[2] It is commonly known as the banded face lynx spider.[3]

Distribution

Oxyopes falconeri occurs in Tanzania, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.[2] In South Africa, the species has been recorded from two provinces at altitudes ranging from 254 to 1,341 m above sea level.[3]

Habitat and ecology

The species is commonly found on grasses in the Savanna biome.[3] It appears to be well-established in the grassland habitats of the savanna regions.

Description

Oxyopes falconeri is known from both sexes.[3] The species displays the typical lynx spider characteristics including long, slender legs with prominent spines and a characteristic tapering opisthosoma.[3]

Conservation

Oxyopes falconeri is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide distribution across southern Africa.[3] The species is protected in Blouberg Nature Reserve, Lhuvhondo Nature Reserve, and Kruger National Park.

References

  1. ^ Lessert, R. de (1915). "Araignées du Kilimandjaro et du Merou. 1. Oxyopidae et Agelenidae". Revue Suisse de Zoologie. 23: 453.
  2. ^ a b "Oxyopes falconeri Lessert, 1915". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2020). The Oxyopidae of South Africa. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 22. doi:10.5281/zenodo.6450695. Retrieved 21 September 2025. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.