Dresserus colsoni

Dresserus colsoni is a species of spider in the family Eresidae. It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the common ground velvet spider.

Distribution

Dresserus colsoni is endemic to South Africa and has been recorded from five provinces: Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and North West. The species occurs in more than 10 protected areas across its range.

Habitat and ecology

The species is commonly found in retreat webs, mainly under stones and sometimes in compost heaps in gardens. It inhabits areas at altitudes ranging from 54 to 1,909 m above sea level in the Grassland and Savanna biomes.

Description

Dresserus colsoni is known from both sexes. The opisthosoma is dull testaceous brown and covered with short setae.

Conservation

Dresserus colsoni is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. Despite being known only from one sex in early descriptions, the species has a wide geographical range. The species is protected in more than 10 protected areas including Kruger National Park, Polokwane Nature Reserve, and Nylsvley Nature Reserve.

Taxonomy

The species was originally described by R.W.E. Tucker in 1920 from Lydenburg in Mpumalanga. It has not been revised since its original description.