Setaphis sexmaculata

Setaphis sexmaculata is a species of spider in the family Gnaphosidae. It is endemic to South Africa.

Distribution

Setaphis sexmaculata is found in two South African provinces: Northern Cape and North West. It is known from Kimberley and Vryburg.

Habitat and ecology

The species is a free-running ground dweller found at altitudes ranging from 1,205 to 1,218 m above sea level. It has been sampled from the Savanna biome.

Conservation

Setaphis sexmaculata is listed as Data Deficient for taxonomic reasons by the South [African National Biodiversity Institute] as too little is known about the location, habitat and threats of this taxon for an assessment to be made. Both samples were collected prior to 1893, and the placement of the species is problematic.

Etymology

The species name sexmaculata means "six-spotted" in Latin.

Taxonomy

The species was described by Eugène Simon in 1893 from Kimberley. According to FitzPatrick, the type material could not be traced at the Museum National d'histoire Naturelle in Paris, and the status of this species remains unclear, although the general description fits that of Ibala.