Copuetta maputa
| Maputaland tree lycosiform sac spider | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Corinnidae |
| Genus: | Copuetta |
| Species: | C. maputa |
| Binomial name | |
| Copuetta maputa Haddad, 2013 | |
Copuetta maputa is a species of spider in the family Corinnidae.[1] It occurs in Mozambique and South Africa and is commonly known as the Maputaland tree lycosiform sac spider.[2]
Etymology
[edit]The species is named after Maputaland, the coastal plain region where it occurs.[2]
Distribution
[edit]Copuetta maputa is found in Mozambique and South Africa.[1][2] In South Africa, it has been recorded from several areas in KwaZulu-Natal at elevations lower than 100 m above sea level.[2] Throughout its range, it has only been collected along the Maputaland coastal plain at altitudes ranging from 6 to 96 m above sea level.[2]
The species is conserved in two protected areas, iSimangaliso Wetland Park and Ndumo Game Reserve.[2]
Habitat and ecology
[edit]Copuetta maputa has been collected in various strata of forest and woodland habitats, including shrubs, tree bark, tree canopies, and leaf litter.[2] The species inhabits the Indian Ocean Coastal Belt and Savanna biomes and has also been collected from the walls of houses.[2]
Description
[edit]Copuetta maputa is known from both sexes.[2] Like other members of its genus, it is a medium to large spider with a smooth carapace featuring black feathery setae forming different markings.[2]
Conservation
[edit]Copuetta maputa is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide geographical range.[2] The species faces no significant threats and has been recorded from several protected areas.[2]
Taxonomy
[edit]The species was described by Charles R. Haddad in 2013 from Ndumo Game Reserve, South Africa.[2] It is the type species of the genus Copuetta.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 "Copuetta maputa Haddad, 2013". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Haddad, C.R.; Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2023). The Corinnidae of South Africa. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 30. doi:10.5281/zenodo.8300753. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.