Pongolania chrysionaria

Pongolania chrysionaria is a species of spider in the family Phyxelididae. It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Johannesburg Pongolania hackled band spider.

Distribution

Pongolania chrysionaria is distributed across the two South African provinces of Gauteng and Mpumalanga. The species occurs at altitudes ranging from 219 to 1,871 m above sea level.

Habitat and ecology

This species inhabits the Grassland biome. Pongolania chrysionaria is a ground retreat-web cryptic spider that lives in dark places. The species has been recorded from citrus orchards and maize fields, demonstrating its ability to survive in agroecosystems.

Conservation

Pongolania chrysionaria is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. Despite having a restricted range, the species is able to survive in agroecosystems and is protected in the Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve and Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve. There are no significant threats to the species.

Taxonomy

The species was originally described by Griswold in 1990 from specimens collected in Johannesburg. Pongolania chrysionaria is known from only the female.