Austrachelas wassenaari
| Wassenaar’s Long-Jawed Ground Spider | |
|---|---|
Rare
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Gallieniellidae |
| Genus: | Austrachelas |
| Species: | A. wassenaari
|
| Binomial name | |
| Austrachelas wassenaari Haddad, Lyle, Bosselaers & Ramírez, 2009
| |
Austrachelas wassenaari is a species of spider in the family Gallieniellidae. It is endemic to South Africa.[1]
Distribution
Austrachelas wassenaari is endemic to KwaZulu-Natal province, recorded from the northern coastal parts at elevations ranging from 4–56 m above sea level. Known localities include iSimangaliso Wetland Park (Fanie's Island) and Richards Bay.[2]
Habitat
The species has been found in rehabilitated coastal dune forests previously mined near Richards Bay. As a ground dweller, it appears able to survive habitat modification. It occurs within the Indian Ocean Coastal Belt Biome.[2]
Description
Both sexes are known. The opisthosoma displays chevron markings.[2]
Conservation
Austrachelas wassenaari is listed as Rare due to its small restricted distribution range. The species is protected in iSimangaliso Wetland Park, but additional sampling is needed to determine its full range.[2]
References
- ^ "Austrachelas wassenaari 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.