Xerophaeus coruscus

Xerophaeus coruscus is a species of spider in the family Gnaphosidae. It occurs in Africa and is commonly known as the Tanzania mouse ground spider.

Distribution

Xerophaeus coruscus is recorded from Ethiopia, Tanzania, South Africa, and Yemen. In South Africa, it is known only from the Eastern Cape.

Habitat and ecology

The species inhabits the Thicket biome at an altitude of 1333 m above sea level. Xerophaeus coruscus are free-living ground dwellers.

Conservation

Xerophaeus coruscus is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide geographic range in Africa. There are no significant threats to the species.

Taxonomy

The species was originally described by L. Koch in 1875 from Tanzania as Drassus coruscus. The species has not been revised but is known from both sexes.