Xerophaeus hottentottus

Xerophaeus hottentottus is a species of spider in the family Gnaphosidae. It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Kalahari mouse ground spider.

Distribution

Xerophaeus hottentottus is recorded from three South African provinces, the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, and North West.

Habitat and ecology

The species inhabits multiple biomes including Succulent Karoo, Nama Karoo, and Grassland biomes at altitudes ranging from 63 to 1378 m above sea level. Xerophaeus hottentottus are free-living ground dwellers.

Conservation

Xerophaeus hottentottus is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide range. The species is protected in Fort Fordyce Forest Reserve and Augrabies National Park. There are no significant threats.

Taxonomy

The species was originally described by W. F. Purcell in 1908 from Steinkopf in the Northern Cape. Tucker synonymized Xerophaeus gordonicus Hewitt, 1915 with this species. The species has not been revised and is known only from the female.