Psammorygma
| Psammorygma | |
|---|---|
| P. aculeatum | |
| P. aculeatum | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Zodariidae |
| Genus: | Psammorygma Jocqué[1] |
| Type species | |
| Psammorygma caligatum | |
| Species | |
|
see text | |
Psammorygma is a genus of African ant spiders found in the deserts of southern Africa, namely the Kalahari Desert and the Namib Desert.[2]
Description
They are somewhat larger spiders, growing up to twenty millimeters in length. The carapace and chelicerae are brightly colored, while the legs and abdomen are generally a darker black or gray. They can be distinguished from other genera by a knob-like proximal extension found on the cheliceral fang and a double row of dorsal spines in a specific location.[2]
Etymology
First described in 1991 by Jocqué, the name is from the Greek psammon, meaning "sand", and orugma, meaning "mine", in reference to the sandy tunnels these spiders live in.[2]
Species
As of September 2025, the genus contains three species:[1]
- Psammorygma aculeatum (Karsch, 1878) - South Africa
- Psammorygma caligatum Jocqué, 1991 - Namibia
- Psammorygma rutilans (Simon, 1887) - South Africa
References