Platyoides alpha

Namibia Scorpion Spider
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Trochanteriidae
Genus: Platyoides
Species:
P. alpha
Binomial name
Platyoides alpha
Lawrence, 1928[1]
Synonyms
List
  • Platyoides beta Lawrence, 1928

Platyoides alpha is a species of spider in the family Trochanteriidae. It is found in Angola, Namibia, Botswana, and South Africa.[2]

Distribution

The species has a wide distribution across southern Africa. In South Africa, Platyoides alpha is known only from Limpopo province, where it has been recorded from elevations between 514 and 1,360 m above sea level.[3]

Habitat

Platyoides alpha inhabits the Forest and Savanna biomes. Like other scorpion spiders, it is a free-living wanderer with a flattened body adapted for life in narrow crevices under bark or rocks.[3]

Description

Both males and females of Platyoides alpha are known to science. The body size ranges from 4-9 mm. The species displays the typical characteristics of the genus, with a flattened carapace that is longer than wide, and laterally divergent chelicerae projecting forward.[3]

Conservation

The species is listed as Least Concern due to its wide geographical range across multiple countries. In South Africa, it is protected in the Limpopo Valley Nature Reserve and Entabeni State Forest.[3]

References

  1. ^ Lawrence, R.F. (1928). "Contributions to a knowledge of the fauna of South-West Africa VII. Arachnida (Part 2)". Annals of the South African Museum. 25: 217–312.
  2. ^ "Platyoides alpha Lawrence, 1928". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2022). The Trochanteriidae of South Africa. Version 2. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. Irene. pp. 1–18. doi:10.5281/zenodo.6659336. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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