Austrachelas merwei
| Van der Merwe’s Long-Jawed Ground Spider | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Gallieniellidae |
| Genus: | Austrachelas |
| Species: | A. merwei
|
| Binomial name | |
| Austrachelas merwei Haddad, Lyle, Bosselaers & Ramírez, 2009
| |
Austrachelas merwei is a species of spider in the family Gallieniellidae. It is endemic to South Africa.[1]
Distribution
Austrachelas merwei is endemic to KwaZulu-Natal province and is known only from Ngome State Forest at an elevation of 1000 m above sea level.[2]
Habitat
During surveys in Ngome State Forest, 37 specimens were collected in pitfall traps in dense forest areas.[2]
Description
Both sexes are known. The opisthosoma displays mottled grey chevron markings and lacks a ventral scutum.[2]
Conservation
Austrachelas merwei is listed as Data Deficient. While protected in Ngome State Forest, the species appears to have a restricted distribution and additional sampling is needed to determine its range.[2]
References
- ^ "Austrachelas merwei Haddad, Lyle, Bosselaers & Ramírez, 2009". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ^ a b c d Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Mbo, Z.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2020). The Gallieniellidae of South Africa (Report). South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. pp. 1–37. doi:10.5281/zenodo.14065070. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.