Hamataliwa kulczynskii
| Kulczynski's Crowned Lynx Spider | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Oxyopidae |
| Genus: | Hamataliwa |
| Species: | H. kulczynskii
|
| Binomial name | |
| Hamataliwa kulczynskii (Lessert, 1915)
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Hamataliwa kulczynskii is a species of spider in the family Oxyopidae.[1] It is commonly known as Kulczynski's crowned lynx spider and is endemic to Africa.[2]
Etymology
The species is named after Polish arachnologist Władysław Kulczyński.
Distribution
Hamataliwa kulczynskii occurs in Ethiopia, Eswatini, Botswana, and South Africa. In South Africa, it is recorded from six provinces: Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Northern Cape, Mpumalanga, and Western Cape.[2]
The species has a wide geographical range, occurring at altitudes from 7 to 1,498 m above sea level.[2]
Habitat and ecology
Hamataliwa kulczynskii is a free-living plant dweller that inhabits the Fynbos, Indian Ocean Coastal Belt, Grassland, and Savanna biomes. The species has also been found in avocado and macadamia orchards.[2]
Description
The species is known from both sexes and has been illustrated in taxonomic literature. Like other Hamataliwa species, it resembles Oxyopes in color and size but differs in having posterior median eyes wider from each other than from posterior lateral eyes.[2]
Taxonomy
The species was originally described as Oxyopeidon kulczynskii by Lessert in 1915 from specimens collected in Ethiopia.[3]
Conservation
Hamataliwa kulczynskii is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide geographical range. The species is protected in more than ten protected areas including iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Mkuze Game Reserve, Ndumo Game Reserve, Tembe Elephant Park, Blouberg Nature Reserve, and Kruger National Park.[2]
References
- ^ "Hamataliwa kulczynskii (Lessert, 1915)". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2020). The Oxyopidae of South Africa. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 7. doi:10.5281/zenodo.6450695. Retrieved 21 September 2025. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
- ^ Lessert, R. de (1915). "Araignées du Kilimandjaro et du Merou. 1. Oxyopidae et Agelenidae". Revue Suisse de Zoologie. 23: 439–533.