South african spiders pdf

Southern africa has well over 2,200 known species of spiders with very few that are of medical importance. There, he thought, wisdom would indeed be beyond the reach of every one but himself. The name of the wasps refers to their unique behaviour of hunting spiders, but in all other respects they are harmless and nonaggressive. South africa native 22 south africa invasive 2 rear middle eyes not enlarged 23 very large 1 scopulae last leg segment absent 21 present 3 spinnerets front pair conical 23 close together 17 on rear edge 15 wide apart 6 cylindrical 1 spinnerets length top pair shorter 21 top pair very long 4 spinnerets position top pair. Violin spiders are regarded as rare spiders by the arachnologists in south africa with very few specimens recorded from houses. Pdf a revision of the endemic south african spider genus. So in south africa, rain spider is a term used for a specific genus within the family that includes other huntsman spiders, meaning all. Introduction to medically important spiders preface for this online course, weve put together a host of interesting and useful facts about southern africa s medically important spiders. Media in category insects of south africa the following 2 files are in this category, out of 2 total. It is important to remember that spiders seen in south africa are not bound by the territorial lines decided on by humans, therefore their distribution is subject to change. Field guide to the spiders of south africa by ansie dippenaar. It is an entirely harmless serpent and would quickly escape from any threat once it notices one. A total of 11 4705 records from more than 900 point localities were sampled in the 6 south african grassland biome until the end of 2011, representing 58 families, 275 genera.

Thanks to the variety of languages spoken in south africa, locals tend to borrow words from each language, resulting in slang words or phrases known as south africanisms. However, there are actually only three spiders that are of medical interest, these are spiders that are venomous to humans. A revision of the endemic south african spider genus austrachelas, with its transfer to the gallieniellidae arachnida. I have found a lot of holes in my grass lately and did not know what it was. They can inflict a painful, lacerated, bleeding wound. A checklist of spiders found in these systems is provided, based on published surveys and data from the south african national survey of arachnida sansa database, with information on the guilds that they occupy.

Their appearance varies highly, ranging from black with distinct red markings on the abdomen to brown with only a slightly darker stripe across. The abdomen may be tinged greenish with large, shiny, black mouth parts figure 5. Pdf common names of spiders araneae of southern africa. The heavy pot, hanging in front of him, made hi s ascent almost impossible. Incredible closeup pictures of insects in south africa. A check list of the spider fauna of the western soutpansberg, south africa arachnida.

Welcome to the page that concentrates on arachnids from subsaharan africa, thats spiders, solifuges. There are both black and brown widow spiders in southern africa. New data on the jumping spiders of south africa araneae. Weve presented the facts as we know them, included details as to the different types of venom. Rock spiders vs rooinekke stories of life in africa and. Medically important these common spiders are often found around human dwellings in the garage, under window sills. Spider hunting wasps belong to the family pompilidae, and are found all over the world. Brown button spider family theridiidae other names. Originally placed with the ctenizidae, it was moved to the idiopidae in 1985. Spiders found in south africa include 19 unique species from confirmed sightings by contributing members of spider id. The baboon spiders are medium to very large spiders 30 90 mm and hairy, with heavy legs. Thus far, 51 families with 238 genera and 4 species have been recorded from crops in south africa. Nov 04, 2008 flickr is almost certainly the best online photo management and sharing application in the world.

Surveys in south africa over the last forty years support this statement. The south african national survey of arachnida sansa was initiated in 1997, with the main aim of documenting the arachnid fauna of south africa at a national level. Took the garden hose and open the tap as wide as possible. There are around 4200 various species of this wasp, with 6 families in south africa alone. Spiders, predacious insectsand mites on south african cotton. Spider accessions per year in the so uth african national collection of arachnida, the largest in africa. An identification manual of african spiders south of the sahara. The present contribution builds on the aforementioned studies through the description of 19 new species and a new genus of jumping spiders from south africa, descriptions of six hitherto unknown sexes, as well as providing new distribution data for a number of poorly known south african and afrotropical species, 12 of which are recorded for the. The red roman spider, also known as a sun spider or wind scorpion, is a strange creature.

So far there have been no recorded fatalities from these bites, but the symptoms can be. According to daniel heenop, a local spider expert, people mistakenly assume that the jumping spider is behind nasty bites. Ansie dippenaarschoeman, who has written a book titled field guide to the spiders of south africa lapa, tells naomi meyer about. Six latrodectus species can be found in southern africa. Pdf signatories of the convention of biological diversity cbd are obligated to develop a strategic plan for the conservation and sustainable use of. We already know that anansi the spider is originally from west africa but he is also found in folktales in the usa and the caribbean. They are reddishbrown to yellow, with contrasting darker markings. Though feared and maligned by many, theyre an integral part of natural ecosystems and play an invaluable role in controlling pests. South america, and cities in the north united states. As part of the south african national survey of arachnida sansa, all available information on spider species distribution in the south african grassland biome was compiled. Not only so, but his servants had strewn it with beautiful skins and carpets, in preparation for his return. Spiders in south africa spiders found in south africa include 19 unique species from confirmed sightings by contributing members of spider id.

In south africa approximately 5 000 different species of spider. Spiders in africa encyclopedia of life support systems. Pdf south africa has a rich spider fauna with 66 families represented by more than 5 000 species. Spiders are ranked the seventh most diverse order in global diversity with about 39 000 species described globally and this is estimated to increase to 170 000. The baboon spiders are generally docile but will lift their front legs into the air when disturbed or threatened and will not hesitate to bite at this stage. It includes diagnoses of different families and key to families. Widow spiders from the theridiidae family are known as button spiders in south africa. African perspectives on the conser vation of a megadiverse group 165 fig. A checklist of the spiders arachnida, araneae of the tswalu kalahari reserve in the northern cape province, south africa.

Theridiidae and araneidae were the most diverse spider families in the reserve, represented by 22 species each 16. Spiders are arachnids, a class of arthropods that also includes scorpions, mites, and ticks. African folktale story telling is an important part of many countries around the world. Pdf spiders are one of the most abundant predator groups found in agroecosystems and they have special adaptations towards a predatory. The spider club of southern africa public group facebook. See more ideas about snake, reptiles and amphibians. Stasimopus quadratimaculatus purcell, 1903 south africa. The serpent is excellent in climbing and swimming, and has very good eyesight.

Araneae of the south african grassland biome, t ransactions of the royal society of south africa, 68. Field guide to the spiders of south africa by ansie. Various questions ended up with we do not know either. Cheiracanthium sac spiders and loxosceles violin spiders are widely distributed in south africa. Baboon spiders are a subfamily of tarantula that includes more than 40 individual species in south africa alone. Through fullcolour photographs and easytoread text, the young adult and budding naturalist will be able to identify the more common species found in southern africa, discover where they live, and learn about their unique habits. The faunistic diversity of spiders arachnida, araneae of. The worlds largest spider is the south american goliath birdeating spider, theraphosa leblondi mygalomorphae. While there are more than 35 000 species of spiders worldwide, only a few thousand are found in south africa alone. Ctenolophus is a genus of african armored trapdoor spiders that was first described by william frederick purcell in 1904. Spider hunting wasp private game reserve south africa. Cytotoxic spiders there are three important spiders in this group. Arboreal spider assemblages associated with four tree species in the grassland biome of central south africa arachnida.

Araneae of the savanna biome in south africa article pdf available in transactions of the royal society of south africa 662. They arrived from britain, holland, france, and germany, and more so when it was discovered. Araneae article pdf available in koedoe african protected area conservation and science 452. In south africa, salticidae is the most diverse family with 240 species, followed by the gnaphosidae with 176 species and thomisidae with 3. If youre visiting south africa any time soon, its useful to know a few turns of phrase to help you along the way. The road leading to anansis house was only half cleared. The south african national survey of arachnida hereafter referred to as sansa for brevity was initiated in 1997 to mainly inventory the arachnid fauna of south africa dippenaarschoeman et al. Something a little different, the smaller things in life seen early saturday on a cloudy. Nearly 1,000 species of spiders have been found in the continental u. In south africa, the limpopo province is one of the bestsampled provinces, with 928 known. Show off your favorite photos and videos to the world, securely and privately show content to your friends and family, or blog the photos and videos you take with a cameraphone. The faunistic diversity of spiders arachnida, araneae of the savanna biome in south africa s. As you are aware, southern africa has just taken part in the city nature challenge and cape town is again we won in 2019 leading in observations.

New distribution records for african whip spiders arachnida. A further cytotoxic spider is sicarius sixeyed sand spider. Poisonous snakes, spiders, bugs and insects in africa. It is important to remember that spiders seen in south africa are not bound by the territorial lines decided on by.

Map indicating the distribution of baboon spiders, within southern africa. A checklist of the spiders arachnida, araneae of the tswalu kalahari reserve in the northern. In the past two decades both specialists and laymen. Spiders are ranked the seventh most diverse order in global diversity with about 39 000 species. How to keep spiders out of your house diy, lifestyle. Here are the 5 most dangerous spiders found in south africa. They live in openended silklined burrows in the ground. South africa is home to over 3,000 known species of spiders. Heres an incredible closeup view of a collection of south africas insects at the kenneth stainbank nature reserve in durban, kwazulunatal with some of them as exquisite as the flowers upon which they sit. Current knowledge of spiders in south african agroecosystems. Its distribution ranges from kwazulunatal province in the east, then westwards to the provinces of mpumalanga, limpopo, and north west in the north, and eastern cape and western cape in the south. Pdf a check list of the spider fauna of the western. The effect of two pesticides on spiders in south african cotton fields. A bite from a black button spider can be painful and cause several symptoms cramps, raised blood pressure etc.

The one which led to nothings palace was, of course, wide and well made. A total of 11 470 records from more than 900 point localities were sampled in the south african grassland biome until the end of 2011, representing 58 families, 275 genera. It is the most common and widespread species in the genus palystes. Not every species is venomous, however, and all of them are unlikely to attack unless provoked. I will continue to be involved in the south african national survey of arachnida, the running of the online virtual museum and the african. A handbook series, spiders of the kalahari, spiders of the savanna biome, spiders of the grassland biome, as well as the new field guide have been published. Unfortunately for arachnophobes, many species can be found indoors, as some areas around the home make ideal habitats. Cryptic diversity of south african trapdoor spiders. Again and again he tried to reach the top of the tree, where he intended to hang the pot. South africa has a rich spider fauna probably due to the wide range of habitat types associated with the region ranging from extreme desert to forest within a. How many species of spiders are found in north america north of mexico. Spider identification guide arctic institute of north america. Button spider is a common name used in southern africa to refer to local members of the spider genus, latrodectus, the family theridiidae. The common rain spider palystes superciliosus, formerly p.

They are very flat, sixeyed spiders when most spiders have eight, measuring about 10 to 17 mm in body length, with a leg span of roughly 60 mm. Africa, the second largest continent on the planet, with a land mass of over 30 million square kilometers, and home to nearly one billion humans, is a land of diversity ranging from tropical temperatures to the subtropical temperatures on its highest peaks and amazing african safaris. Insects that flee the sun debugged rentokil south africa. The south african national biodiversity institute sanbi came on board for the projects second. A total of 11 4705 records from more than 900 point localities were sampled in the 6 south african grassland biome until the end of 2011, representing 58 families, 275 genera 7 and 792 described species. West african folktales 6 looking tree, he began to climb. You find them, mostly, on trees in bushes and forest areas. New south african trapdoor spiders 5 stasimopus poweri hewitt, 1915 south africa. All baboon spiders have a set of distinctive characteristics in commontheyre large, hairy, and capable of inflicting a painful bite. There are six species in south africa, and they all pose serious health risks. R haddad3 1department of zoology, centre for invasion biology, university of venda, private bag x5050, thohoyandou, 0950, south africa 2 arcplant protection research institute, private bag x4, queenswood 0121department of zoology. Huntsman spider is a name used in many parts of the world for spiders in the family sparassidae, also commonly called giant crab spiders, and this is the family that includes the south african rain spiders. Field guide to the spiders of south africa in searchworks.

This is a nonvenomous snake that has a bright green colour with black speckles. The sixeyed sand spiders are found in subsaharan africa and south america, in remote desert areas and in some coastal areas. However, we desperately need help with identifications of our spiders. They prey on spiders, scorpions, small reptiles and even on each other, while still alive. Most spider bites are not spider bites but wounds caused by infections and other invertebrates. A total of 11 470 records from more than 900 point localities were sampled. There are more than 45,000 known species of spiders, found in habitats all over the world.