Xerophaeus rostratus

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

Distribution

Xerophaeus rostratus is recorded from three South African provinces: the Free State, Eastern Cape, and Gauteng.

Habitat and ecology

The species inhabits the Grassland and Nama Karoo biomes at altitudes ranging from 778 to 1492 m above sea level. Xerophaeus rostratus are free-living ground dwellers.

Conservation

Xerophaeus rostratus is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. The species appears to be sufficiently widespread despite being known only from a few specimens. More sampling is needed to determine the species' range, but there are no significant threats.

Taxonomy

The species was originally described by W. F. Purcell in 1907 from Graaff-Reinet. The species has not been revised but is known from both sexes.