Episinus bishopi
| Congo Butterfly Comb-Foot Spider | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Female | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Theridiidae |
| Genus: | Episinus |
| Species: | E. bishopi |
| Binomial name | |
| Episinus bishopi | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Episinus bishopi is a species of spider in the family Theridiidae.[2] It is commonly known as the Congo butterfly comb-foot spider.[3]
Distribution
[edit]Episinus bishopi is found in Democratic Republic of the Congo and South Africa.[2]
In South Africa, it is recorded from the provinces Eastern Cape, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape. Locations include Addo Elephant National Park, Wyndford Guest Farm in Fouriesburg, Wakefield Farm, Baynesfield in the Natal Midlands, and Windmeul in Ridgeback Paarl.[3]
Gallery
[edit]
Habitat and ecology
[edit]The spiders were found at ground level between low vegetation from the Grassland, Fynbos, and Thicket biomes at altitudes ranging from 233 to 1645 m.[3]
Conservation
[edit]Episinus bishopi is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. Although the species is presently known only from one sex, it has a wide geographical range. There are no significant threats to this species. It is protected in Addo National Park.[3]
Taxonomy
[edit]Episinus bishopi was originally described by Lessert in 1929 as Episinopsis bishopi from the Democratic Republic of the Congo.[1] The species is known only from the male.[3]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 Lessert, R. de (1929). "Araignées du Congo recueillies au cours de l'expédition organisée par l'American Museum (1909-1915). Troisième partie". Revue Suisse de Zoologie. 36 (1): 103–159. doi:10.5962/bhl.part.117628.
- 1 2 3 "Episinus bishopi (Lessert, 1929)". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2021). The Theridiidae of South Africa. Part 1 A-P. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 29. doi:10.5281/zenodo.7515890.
This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.