Caesetius murinus
| Cape Caesetius Zodariid spider | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Zodariidae |
| Genus: | Caesetius |
| Species: | C. murinus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Caesetius murinus Simon, 1893[1]
| |
Caesetius murinus is a species of spider in the family Zodariidae.[2] It is the type species of the genus Caesetius and is endemic to South Africa, commonly known as the Cape Caesetius Zodariid spider.[3]
Etymology
The species name murinus means "mouse-colored" in Latin, referring to the greyish coloration of the spider.
Distribution
Caesetius murinus is endemic to South Africa, where it has been recorded from two provinces: Eastern Cape and Western Cape. Notable localities include Cape Town, Table Mountain National Park, Addo Elephant National Park, and Port Elizabeth.[3]
Habitat
The species inhabits Fynbos and Thicket biomes at altitudes ranging from 7 to 1479 m above sea level.[3]
Description
Both males and females are known for this species. The carapace is medium brown, slightly paler in the cephalic area, with numerous fine silvery hairs and few stronger, darker hairs between the fovea and eyes. The clypeus has a dense cluster of hairs. The chelicerae and legs are medium to dark brown, while the sternum is pale brown. The opisthosoma is mottled grey and white with pale markings on the dorsum.[3]
Ecology
Caesetius murinus are free-living ground-dwellers.[3]
Conservation
The species is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide geographical range. It is protected in Addo Elephant National Park, Table Mountain National Park, and Asante Game Reserve.[3]
References
- ^ Simon, E. (1893). "Études arachnologiques. 25e Mémoire. XL. Descriptions d'espèces et de genres nouveaux de l'ordre des Araneae". Annales de la Société Entomologique de France. 62: 299–330.
- ^ "Caesetius murinus Simon, 1893". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Jocqué, R.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2024). The Zodariidae of South Africa. Part 1 (A-D) version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 23. doi:10.5281/zenodo.14404920. Retrieved 20 September 2025. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.