Ammoxenus daedalus

Ammoxenus daedalus is a species of spider in the family Gnaphosidae. It is endemic to Limpopo province, South Africa, where it is known as the Dendron termite feeding spider.

Etymology

The species name daedalus likely refers to Daedalus from Greek mythology.

Distribution

A. daedalus is presently known only from two localities in Limpopo province, South Africa: near Dendron and at Louis Trichardt. The species has a very restricted range and is found at elevations between 969 and 1,025 meters above sea level.

Habitat and ecology

This free-running ground spider lives in sand mounds left by termites and is a specialist predator of harvester termites, particularly Hodotermes species. When disturbed, individuals dive head-first into sand. The species was sampled in high numbers from pitfall traps on a farm near Dendron in the Savanna biome.

Description

A. daedalus exhibits the characteristic Ammoxenus morphology.

Conservation status

The species is currently listed as Data Deficient due to its extremely limited known range and uncertainty about its taxonomic status. Bird suggested that A. daedalus may be a junior synonym of Ammoxenus psammodromus, but this revision remains unpublished. The species is not currently recorded from any protected areas, and more sampling is needed to determine its conservation status.