Asianopis aspectans
| Asianopis aspectans | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification Edit this classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Deinopidae |
| Genus: | Asianopis |
| Species: | A. aspectans
|
| Binomial name | |
| Asianopis aspectans (Pocock, 1900)
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Asianopis aspectans is a species of spider in the family Deinopidae.[1] It is found across several African countries including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Africa.[2]
Etymology
[edit | edit source]The species epithet "aspectans" is derived from Latin, meaning "looking at" or "observing."
Distribution
[edit | edit source]Asianopis aspectans was originally described from the banks of the Benito River in Equatorial Guinea. In South Africa, it has been recorded from KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga provinces at altitudes ranging from 18 to 840 metres above sea level.[2]
Habitat and ecology
[edit | edit source]The species inhabits low vegetation and constructs small, expandable webs that it casts over prey. In South Africa, it has been sampled from the Savanna biome.[2]
Description
[edit | edit source]Asianopis aspectans is distinguished by having a carapace without white bands, unlike related species. The species is known from females, though undescribed males have been photographed.[2]
Conservation
[edit | edit source]Asianopis aspectans is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide African distribution, despite being rare in South Africa with a limited extent of occurrence.[2]
Taxonomy
[edit | edit source]The species was originally described by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1900 from Equatorial Guinea. It was transferred from the genus Deinopis to Asianopis by Chamberland et al. in 2022.[3]
References
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