Palystes martinfilmeri
| Cederberg rain spider | |
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Sparassidae |
| Genus: | Palystes |
| Species: | P. martinfilmeri
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| Binomial name | |
| Palystes martinfilmeri Croeser, 1996[1]
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Palystes martinfilmeri is a spider species in the family Sparassidae.[2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Cederberg rain spider.[3]
Distribution
Palystes martinfilmeri is found in the Western Cape province. The species seems to be restricted to the Cederberg Wilderness Area, with records from Dwars Rivier, Kromrivier, Sneeukop, and Clanwilliam. It occurs at altitudes ranging from 78 to 1,241 m.[3]
Habitat and ecology
Palystes martinfilmeri is a nocturnal plant hunting spider. The species has been sampled from the Fynbos Biome.[3]
Description
Etymology
The species is named after arachnologist and naturalist Martin Filmer.[4]
Conservation
Palystes martinfilmeri is listed as Rare by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. Due to the species having a small restricted distribution range and occurring predominantly within a protected area, it is listed as Rare. The species is protected in the Cederberg Wilderness Area.[3]
References
- ^ Croeser, P.M.C. (1996). "A revision of the African huntsman spider genus Palystes L. Koch 1875 (Araneae: Heteropodidae)". Annals of the Natal Museum. 37: 1–122.
- ^ a b "Palystes martinfilmeri Croeser, 1996". World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern. doi:10.24436/2. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
- ^ a b c d Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2022). The Sparassidae of South Africa. Version 2. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 45. doi:10.5281/zenodo.6614498.
This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
- ^ The late Dr Martin R. Filmer