Helafricanus nanus

Helafricanus nanus is a species of spider in the family Salticidae. It is endemic to southern Africa and is commonly known as the small Helafricanus sunny jumping spider.

Distribution

Helafricanus nanus is found in Namibia and South Africa.
In South Africa, it is known from seven provinces. Notable locations include Grahamstown, Hogsback, Jeffrey's Bay, and Bloemfontein.

Habitat and ecology

Helafricanus nanus is a plant-dwelling species collected from grasses and shrubs in the Grassland and Thicket biomes at altitudes ranging from 565 to 2,329 m. The species was also found in cotton, potato, and tomato fields and pecan nut orchards.

Conservation

Helafricanus nanus is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide range. It has been sampled in more than ten protected areas.

Etymology

The specific name "nanus" is Latin for "dwarf", a name often used for particularly small species.

Taxonomy

Helafricanus nanus was originally described in genus Heliophanus by Wesołowska in 2003 from Swartrus in the Free State. The species was transferred to Helafricanus by Wesołowska in 2024.