Aphantaulax stationis


Aphantaulax stationis is a species of spider in the family Gnaphosidae. It is endemic to southern Africa.

Distribution

Aphantaulax stationis is found in Botswana and South Africa. In South Africa, the species has been recorded from two provinces, Eastern Cape and Western Cape.

Habitat and ecology

The species is a free-living plant dweller sampled from Fynbos and Thicket biomes at altitudes ranging from 7 to 980 m above sea level.

Description

The carapace is medium brown with darker mottling, with femora similar in colour, but legs, especially anterior pairs, lighter from patellae onwards. The abdomen is marked with white bands. Total length is 4.1-4.5 mm.

Conservation

Aphantaulax stationis is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide distribution range. The species is protected in Table Mountain National Park and De Hoop Nature Reserve.

Taxonomy

The species was originally described by R.W.E. Tucker in 1923 from Hout Bay in the Western Cape. It has not been revised and is known from both sexes.