Dresserus obscurus


Dresserus obscurus is a species of spider in the family Eresidae. It is endemic to South Africa.

Distribution

Dresserus obscurus is endemic to the KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa. The species has been recorded from Estcourt and Richards Bay.

Habitat and ecology

The species is rare and found in retreat webs made under rocks in the Grassland and Savanna biomes. It inhabits areas at altitudes ranging from 29 to 1,189 m above sea level.

Description

Dresserus obscurus is known only from females. The whole body is mouse-brown and covered with greyish-black setae.

Conservation

Dresserus obscurus is listed as Data Deficient due to taxonomic reasons. The species has a very restricted range. The status remains obscure as males have not been collected, and more sampling is needed to determine the species' range.

Taxonomy

The species was originally described by Reginald [Innes Pocock] in 1898 from Estcourt. It has not been revised since its original description and remains known only from the female sex.