Oxyopes schenkeli
| Ring-headed Lynx Spider | |
|---|---|
| female | |
| female | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Oxyopidae |
| Genus: | Oxyopes |
| Species: | O. schenkeli
|
| Binomial name | |
| Oxyopes schenkeli Lessert, 1927[1]
| |
Oxyopes schenkeli is a species of spider in the family Oxyopidae.[2] It is commonly known as the ring-headed lynx spider.[3]
Distribution
Oxyopes schenkeli occurs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.[2] In South Africa, the species has been recorded from six provinces.[3]
Habitat and ecology
Oxyopes schenkeli is commonly found on grasses across multiple biomes including Grassland, Nama Karoo, and Savanna biomes at altitudes ranging from 93 to 1,735 m above sea level.[3] It has also been sampled from various agricultural crops including avocado, citrus, and macadamia orchards, demonstrating adaptability to agricultural environments.
Description
Etymology
The species is named after Swiss arachnologist Ehrenfried Schenkel-Haas.
Conservation
Oxyopes schenkeli is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide geographic range across multiple African countries.[3] The species is protected in more than ten protected areas and faces no significant threats.
References
- ^ Lessert, R. de (1927). "Araignées du Congo (Premiere partie)". Revue Suisse de Zoologie. 34: 419.
- ^ a b "Oxyopes schenkeli Lessert, 1927". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
- ^ a b c d 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. 33. doi:10.5281/zenodo.6450695. Retrieved 21 September 2025. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.