Rhaeboctesis matroosbergensis

Matroosberg Rhaeboctesis Sac Spider
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Liocranidae
Genus: Rhaeboctesis
Species:
R. matroosbergensis
Binomial name
Rhaeboctesis matroosbergensis
Tucker, 1920[1]

Rhaeboctesis matroosbergensis is a species of spider in the family Liocranidae.[2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Matroosberg rhaeboctesis sac spider.[3]

Distribution

Rhaeboctesis matroosbergensis is found only in the Western Cape province of South Africa.[3] It has been recorded from the Matroosberg (the type locality), Bontebok National Park, Cederberg Wilderness Area, and Klapmuts.

Habitat and ecology

The species inhabits Fynbos biomes at altitudes ranging from 63 to 1,584 m above sea level.[3] These are free-running ground spiders.

Description

Rhaeboctesis matroosbergensis is known only from females..[3]

Conservation

Rhaeboctesis matroosbergensis is listed as Least Concern.[3] Although known from only one sex, this species has a relatively wide range in the Fynbos and is likely to be under-collected. It is currently protected in Bontebok National Park and the Cederberg Wilderness Area.[3]

Taxonomy

The species was originally described by Tucker in 1920 from the Matroosberg.[1] The genus remains unrevised.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b Tucker, R.W.E. (1920). "Contributions to the South African Arachnid Fauna. II. On some new South African spiders of the families Barychelidae, Dipluridae, Eresidae, Zodariidae, Heracliidae, Urocteidae, Clubionidae". Annals of the South African Museum. 17: 439–488.
  2. ^ "Rhaeboctesis matroosbergensis Tucker, 1920". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2021). The Liocranidae of South Africa. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 16. doi:10.5281/zenodo.6735570. Retrieved 23 September 2025. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.