Zelotes uquathus


Zelotes uquathus is a species of spider in the family Gnaphosidae. It is commonly known as Canton dark ground spider and is endemic to South Africa.

Distribution

Zelotes uquathus has a wide distribution in South Africa and is recorded from six provinces: KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Free State, Mpumalanga, Northern Cape, and Western Cape.

Habitat and ecology

The species has a wide altitudinal range, occurring from 26 to 2,040 m above sea level. They are free-running ground spiders found under stones during the day and inhabit the Fynbos, Grassland, and Savanna biomes.

Conservation

Zelotes uquathus is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide geographic range. The species is protected in Ndumu Game Reserve, Verloren Vallei Nature Reserve, and Rooipoort Nature Reserve. There are no significant threats to the species.

Taxonomy

The species was described by FitzPatrick in 2007 from Canton, Rust 280, Limpopo. It is known from both sexes.