Theuma ababensis

Botswana Theuma Long Spinnered Ground Spider
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Prodidomidae
Genus: Theuma
Species:
T. ababensis
Binomial name
Theuma ababensis
Tucker, 1923[1]

Theuma ababensis is a species of spider in the family Prodidomidae.[2] It is a southern African endemic commonly known as the Botswana Theuma long spinneret ground spider.[3]

Distribution

Theuma ababensis occurs in Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa.[3] In South Africa, it is recorded from four provinces, Free State, Limpopo, Northern Cape, and Western Cape.[3]

The species has a wide geographical range with notable locations including Edenville, Florisbad, Springbok Flats, Suffolk farm near Hopetown, and De Hoop Nature Reserve.[3]

Habitat and ecology

Theuma ababensis is a free-running ground dweller found in Fynbos, Nama Karoo, Grassland, and Savanna biomes.[3] The species inhabits altitudes ranging from 266 to 1,500 m above sea level.[3]

Like other members of its genus, this species is nocturnal and hides during the day under stones or debris on the ground. It is more commonly found in warm, dry regions.[3]

Description

See also: Glossary of spider terms

Conservation

Theuma ababensis is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide geographical range in southern Africa.[3] There are no significant threats to the species, and it is protected in De Hoop Nature Reserve.[3]

Taxonomy

The species was originally described by Tucker in 1923.[1] It has not been revised and remains known only from the male sex.[3]

References

  1. ^ a b Tucker, R.W.E. (1923). "The Drassidae of South Africa". Annals of the South African Museum. 19 (2): 419.
  2. ^ "Theuma ababensis Tucker, 1923". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 24 September 2025.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2023). The Prodidomidae of South Africa. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 25. doi:10.5281/zenodo.7515818. Retrieved 24 September 2025. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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