Anyphops atomarius
| Eastern Cape Anyphops Flat Spider | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Selenopidae |
| Genus: | Anyphops |
| Species: | A. atomarius
|
| Binomial name | |
| Anyphops atomarius (Simon, 1887)[1]
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Anyphops atomarius is a species of spider in the family Selenopidae.[2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Eastern Cape Anyphops flat spider.[3] This species serves as the type species for the genus Anyphops.[2]
Distribution
Anyphops atomarius is found in South Africa.[2] The species occurs in the Eastern Cape and Western Cape provinces, including localities such as Grahamstown, Port Elizabeth, Steytlerville, Alicedale, and Cape Town, at altitudes ranging from 7 to 552 m above sea level.[3]
Habitat and ecology
The species inhabits the Fynbos and Thicket biomes.[3] These are free-living cryptozoic nocturnal ground dwellers.[3]
Description
The species is known from both sexes.[3] The legs have distinct bands. Anterior tibiae have 5 inferior pairs of spines, tibia II has 1 posterior lateral spine in addition, and anterior metatarsi have 3 inferior pairs of spines. Total length is 8 mm.[3]
Conservation
Anyphops atomarius is listed as Least Concern due to its wide geographic range.[3] There are no known threats to the species.[3]
Taxonomy
The species was originally described by Eugène Simon in 1887 as Selenops atomarius from Port Elizabeth.[1] It was transferred to the genus Anyphops by Benoit in 1968 and serves as the type species for the genus.[3] Selenops subradiatus Strand, 1906 was later synonymized with this species by Roewer in 1955.[2]
References
- ^ a b Simon, E. (1887). "Espèces et genres nouveaux de la famille des Sparassidae". Bulletin de la Société Zoologique de France. 12: 466.
- ^ a b c d "Anyphops atomarius (Simon, 1887)". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2020). The Selenopidae of South Africa. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 9. doi:10.5281/zenodo.7162139. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.