Homostola abernethyi

Homostola abernethyi is a species of spider in the family Bemmeridae. It is endemic to the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.

Distribution

Homostola abernethyi is known from two localities in the Eastern Cape: Kentani and Mkhambathi Nature Reserve. The species occurs at elevations ranging from 1 to 424 meters above sea level.

Habitat

The species inhabits forest areas where it lives in leaf litter. It has been recorded from the Indian Ocean Coastal Belt, Savanna and Thicket biomes.

Description

Only females of Homostola abernethyi are known to science. The carapace and legs are pale yellowish in color, with the thoracic portion and lateral borders showing a light brownish tinge. The ocular area is more than twice as wide as long. The labium bears 9 teeth arranged in 3 rows. The tarsi of legs I and II are scopulate to the base. The total length is 13.1 millimeters.

Conservation

The species is listed as Data Deficient due to taxonomic uncertainty, as males remain unknown and the full species range is undetermined. It is protected within Mkhambathi Nature Reserve.