Platythomisus deserticola
| Botswana Platythomisus Crab Spider | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Thomisidae |
| Genus: | Platythomisus |
| Species: | P. deserticola
|
| Binomial name | |
| Platythomisus deserticola | |
Platythomisus deserticola is a species of spider in the family Thomisidae.[2] It is found in southern Africa and is commonly known as Botswana Platythomisus crab spider.[3]
Distribution
Platythomisus deserticola is found in Botswana and South Africa.[2]
In South Africa, the species is recorded from Mpumalanga.[3] It has been found at Skukuza and Pretoriuskop Numbi within Kruger National Park.[3]
Habitat and ecology
Platythomisus deserticola inhabits the Savanna biome at altitudes ranging from 258 to 585 m.[3]
Individuals have been sampled free-living on vegetation.[3]
Description
Conservation
Platythomisus deserticola is listed as Least Concern due to its wide geographical range. The species is protected in Kruger National Park.[3]
Taxonomy
The species was originally described by Lawrence in 1936 from Botswana.[1] Only the female is known.[3]
References
- ^ a b Lawrence, R.F. (1936). "Scientific results of the Vernay-Lang Kalahari Expedition, March to September 1930. Spiders (Ctenizidae excepted)". Annals of the Transvaal Museum. 17: 145–158.
- ^ a b "Platythomisus deserticola Lawrence, 1936". World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern. doi:10.24436/2. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
- ^ a b c d e f g Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2020). The Thomisidae of South Africa. Part 2 My-R. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 46. doi:10.5281/zenodo.7513276. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.