Pherecydes nicolaasi

Pherecydes nicolaasi is a species of spider in the family Thomisidae. It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as Nico's Pherecydes crab spider.

Distribution

Pherecydes nicolaasi is found in South Africa, where it is known from the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Limpopo.
Notable locations include Grahamstown, Ngome State Forest, Pietermaritzburg, Tembe Elephant Park, Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve, Luvhondo Nature Reserve, Polokwane Nature Reserve, Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve, and Magoebaskloof.

Habitat and ecology

Pherecydes nicolaasi inhabits the Grassland, Thicket, Savanna, and Forest biomes at altitudes ranging from 91 to 1411 m. These are tree and grass dwellers.

Conservation

Pherecydes nicolaasi is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide geographical range. The species is well protected in six reserves.

Taxonomy

The species was originally described by Dippenaar-Schoeman in 1980 from Ngome State Forest in KwaZulu-Natal. Both sexes are known.