Asianopis aspectans
| Asianopis aspectans | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Deinopidae |
| Genus: | Asianopis |
| Species: | A. aspectans |
| Binomial name | |
| Asianopis aspectans (Pocock, 1900) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Asianopis aspectans is a species of spider in the family Deinopidae.[1] It is found across several African countries including Cameroon, Equatorial Guinea, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and South Africa.[2]
Etymology
[edit]The species epithet "aspectans" is derived from Latin, meaning "looking at" or "observing."
Distribution
[edit]Asianopis aspectans was originally described from the banks of the Benito River in Equatorial Guinea. In South Africa, it has been recorded from KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, and Mpumalanga provinces at altitudes ranging from 18 to 840 metres above sea level.[2]
Habitat and ecology
[edit]The species inhabits low vegetation and constructs small, expandable webs that it casts over prey. In South Africa, it has been sampled from the Savanna biome.[2]
Description
[edit]Asianopis aspectans is distinguished by having a carapace without white bands, unlike related species. The species is known from females, though undescribed males have been photographed.[2]
Conservation
[edit]Asianopis aspectans is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide African distribution, despite being rare in South Africa with a limited extent of occurrence.[2]
Taxonomy
[edit]The species was originally described by Reginald Innes Pocock in 1900 from Equatorial Guinea. It was transferred from the genus Deinopis to Asianopis by Chamberland et al. in 2022.[3]
References
[edit]- ↑ "Asianopis aspectans (Pocock, 1900)". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2020). The Deinopidae of South Africa. Version 2. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 7. doi:10.5281/zenodo.6326965. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license. - ↑ Chamberland, L.; Agnarsson, I.; Quayle, I.L.; Ruddy, T.; Starrett, J.; Bond, J.E. (2022). "Biogeography and eye size evolution of the ogre‑faced spiders". Scientific Reports. 12: 1–15. doi:10.1038/s41598-022-22157-5. PMC 9588044.