Cyatholipus isolatus

Hanglip Tree Sheet-Web Spider
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Cyatholipidae
Genus: Cyatholipus
Species:
C. isolatus
Binomial name
Cyatholipus isolatus
Griswold, 1987[1]

Cyatholipus isolatus is a species of spider in the family Cyatholipidae. It is endemic to South Africa and is found in Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces.[2][3]

Distribution

Cyatholipus isolatus is known from five locations across two provinces. In Limpopo, it has been recorded from Hanglip Forest, Lhuvhondo Nature Reserve, and Vhembe Biosphere Reserve. In Mpumalanga, it occurs in Kruger National Park. The species is found at elevations between 573 and 1393 metres above sea level.[3]

Habitat

The species builds small horizontal sheet webs in the understory of moist forests. Some specimens have been found under loose bark. It occurs in both Forest and Savanna biomes.[3]

Etymology

The species epithet isolatus is Latin meaning "isolated", referring to its restricted forest habitat.[1]

Conservation

The species is protected in two protected areas but faces threats from habitat loss due to agricultural activities and mining. Planned coal mining in parts of the Soutpansberg mountains poses a future threat. The species is listed as Near Threatened.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b Griswold, C.E. (1987). "A review of the southern African spiders of the family Cyatholipidae Simon, 1894 (Araneae: Araneomorphae)". Annals of the Natal Museum. 28: 499–542.
  2. ^ "Cyatholipus isolatus Griswold, 1987". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2022). The Cyatholipidae of South Africa. Version 2. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. Irene. pp. 1–27. doi:10.5281/zenodo.6759933.  This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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