| Burgersdorp Dark Ground Spider | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Gnaphosidae |
| Genus: | Zelotes |
| Species: | Z. capensis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Zelotes capensis FitzPatrick, 2007[1]
| |
Zelotes capensis is a species of spider in the family Gnaphosidae.[2] It is commonly known as the Burgersdorp dark ground spider.[3]
Distribution
Zelotes capensis is endemic to South Africa.[2] It has been recorded from three provinces, Eastern Cape, Free State, and Western Cape, at altitudes ranging from 912 to 1,417 m above sea level.[3]
The species is known from the type locality of Burgersdorp in the Eastern Cape, as well as locations in the Free State and Western Cape, with each province represented by single collections.[3]
Habitat and ecology
The species inhabits the Grassland and Nama Karoo biomes. These are free-running spiders that are found under stones during the day.[3]
Description
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Conservation
Zelotes capensis is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide geographic range. There are no significant threats to the species, but more sampling is needed to determine the species' range.[3]
Taxonomy
The species was described by FitzPatrick in 2007 from the type locality Burgersdorp in the Eastern Cape. It is known from both sexes.[3]
References
- ^ FitzPatrick, M.J. (2007). "A taxonomic revision of the Afrotropical species of Zelotes (Arachnida: Araneae: Gnaphosidae)". Bulletin of the British Arachnological Society. 14 (3): 97–172. doi:10.13156/arac.2011.14.3.97.
- ^ a b "Zelotes capensis FitzPatrick, 2007". World Spider Catalog. doi:10.24436/2. Retrieved 2025-09-25.
- ^ a b c d e f Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2021). The Gnaphosidae of South Africa. Part 4 (Z). Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 10. doi:10.5281/zenodo.7197783. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
