Hamataliwa rostrifrons
| Tuft Head Lynx Spider | |
|---|---|
| Female | |
| Female | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Oxyopidae |
| Genus: | Hamataliwa |
| Species: | H. rostrifrons
|
| Binomial name | |
| Hamataliwa rostrifrons (Lawrence, 1928)
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Hamataliwa rostrifrons is a species of spider in the family Oxyopidae.[1] It is commonly known as the tuft head lynx spider and is endemic to southern Africa.[2]
Distribution
Hamataliwa rostrifrons occurs in Namibia and South Africa. In South Africa, it is recorded from four provinces: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and North West.[2]
The species has a wide geographical range, occurring at altitudes from 16 to 1,556 m above sea level.[2]
Habitat and ecology
Hamataliwa rostrifrons is a free-living plant dweller that inhabits the Savanna, Indian Ocean Coastal Belt, and Thicket biomes.[2]
Description
-
female
The species is presently known only from females. Like other members of the genus Hamataliwa, it resembles Oxyopes species in color and size but can be distinguished by its eye arrangement and facial structure.[2]
Taxonomy
The species was originally described as Oxyopeidon rostrifrons by Lawrence in 1928 from specimens collected in Namibia.[3]
Conservation
Hamataliwa rostrifrons is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide geographical range. The species is protected in seven protected areas including iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Mkuze Game Reserve, Ndumo Game Reserve, Phinda Game Reserve, Tembe Elephant Park, Nylsvley Nature Reserve, and Kgaswane Mountain Reserve.[2]
References
- ^ "Hamataliwa rostrifrons (Lawrence, 1928)". 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. 8. doi:10.5281/zenodo.6450695. Retrieved 21 September 2025. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
- ^ Lawrence, R.F. (1928). "Contributions to a knowledge of the fauna of South-West Africa VII. Arachnida (Part 2)". Annals of the South African Museum. 25: 217–312.