Oxyopes singularis

Zaire Lynx Spider
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Oxyopidae
Genus: Oxyopes
Species:
O. singularis
Binomial name
Oxyopes singularis
Lessert, 1927[1]

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

Distribution

Oxyopes singularis occurs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa.[2] In South Africa, the species is known from two provinces at altitudes ranging from 140 to 582 m above sea level.[3]

Habitat and ecology

The species has been found on grasses in the Savanna biome.[3] Due to its limited collection records in South Africa, more research is needed to fully understand its habitat preferences.

Description

Oxyopes singularis is known from both sexes.[3] The species is characterized by a black-brown opisthosoma with varied testaceous coloring and a white longitudinal center line above.[3]

Conservation

Oxyopes singularis 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 Ndumo Game Reserve and Venetia Limpopo Valley Reserve.

References

  1. ^ Lessert, R. de (1927). "Araignées du Congo (Premiere partie)". Revue Suisse de Zoologie. 34: 416.
  2. ^ a b "Oxyopes singularis Lessert, 1927". 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. 34. doi:10.5281/zenodo.6450695. Retrieved 21 September 2025. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.