Biology:Scytodes clavata
| Congo Spitting Spider | |
|---|---|
LC (SANBI)
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Scytodidae |
| Genus: | Scytodes |
| Species: | S. clavata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Scytodes clavata Benoit, 1965[1]
| |
Scytodes clavata is a species of spider in the family Scytodidae.[2] It is commonly known as the Congo spitting spider and is found in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Africa.[3]
Distribution
Scytodes clavata is known from two countries in Africa. In South Africa, it is recorded from two provinces: KwaZulu-Natal and Limpopo. The species is found at elevations ranging from 804 to 2,254 m above sea level.[3]
Habitat and ecology
Scytodes clavata are wandering spiders commonly collected from under stones and in dark places on the soil surface in the Savanna biome.[3]
Description
The carapace is strongly domed and decorated with particular strong setae inserted on small promontories. These setae feel arched forward and their end is truncated.[3]
Conservation
Scytodes clavata is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. Although the species is presently known only from one sex, it has a wide geographical range. There are no significant threats to the species. It is protected in three protected areas, Blouberg Nature Reserve, Lhuvhondo Nature Reserve, and Thatevondo State Forest.[3]
Taxonomy
The species has not been revised and is known only from the female. An undescribed male has been collected from the Midlands.[3]
References
- ↑ Benoit, P.L.G. (1965). "Trois araignées nouvelles provenant de termitières au Congo (Léopoldville)". Revue de Zoologie et de Botanique Africaines 72: 303.
- ↑ "Scytodes clavata Benoit, 1965". World Spider Catalog. https://wsc.nmbe.ch/species/33647. Retrieved 2025-09-27.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Booysen, R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2021). The Scytodidae of South Africa. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. pp. 11. doi:10.5281/zenodo.7157802.
This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Wikidata ☰ Q681947 entry
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