Spider checklist for the Blouberg, in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, South Africa

Authors

  • Stefan Foord Department of Zoology, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Venda
  • Anna Dippenaar- Schoeman Department of Zoology, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Venda; ARC – Plant Health and Protection
  • Charles Haddad Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of the Free State
  • Colin Schoeman Department of Zoology, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Venda
  • Norbert Hahn Department of Zoology, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Venda
  • Robin Lyle ARC – Plant Health and Protection

Keywords:

South African Survey of Arachnida, conservation status, endemicity, exotic species, threats, Limpopo province

Abstract

Background: The north-eastern mountainous region of South Africa has been identified as a spider diversity hotspot and centre of endemisim. The Blouberg is an isolated inselberg that forms part of the Soutpansberg geological complex, the northernmost mountain in South Africa.

Objectives: This article provides an updated species list of the Blouberg spiders, which includes details of the distribution patterns and conservation statuses of all taxa. Exotic species and species of special conservation concern are identified.

Method: Surveys were conducted between 2005 and 2012, and a range of collecting methods were used to sample both the ground and field layers.

Results: A total of 47 families were sampled in 210 genera and 346 species. The families of Salticidae (45 spp.), Gnaphosidae (32 spp.), Thomisidae (31 spp.), Araneidae (26 spp.) and Lycosidae (24 spp.) were the most diverse. Five species are of conservation concern, one species is Vulnerable, one is possibly exotic and 62 species are South African endemics.

Conclusion: Presently, 17% of South African species are protected on the mountain and its surrounding foothills. The latter are of particular conservation concern, while the mountaintop and its associated habitats are under-sampled.

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Author Biographies

Stefan Foord, Department of Zoology, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Venda

Department of Zoology, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa

Anna Dippenaar- Schoeman, Department of Zoology, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Venda; ARC – Plant Health and Protection

Department of Zoology, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
ARC – Plant Health and Protection, National Collection of Arachnida (non-mites), Pretoria, South Africa

Charles Haddad, Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of the Free State

Department of Zoology & Entomology, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

Colin Schoeman, Department of Zoology, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Venda

Department of Zoology, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa

Norbert Hahn, Department of Zoology, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Venda

Department of Zoology, Centre for Invasion Biology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa

Robin Lyle, ARC – Plant Health and Protection

ARC – Plant Health and Protection, National Collection of Arachnida (non-mites), Pretoria, South Africa

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Published

2019-09-30

How to Cite

Foord, S., Dippenaar- Schoeman, A. ., Haddad, C., Schoeman, C. ., Hahn, N. ., & Lyle, R. . (2019). Spider checklist for the Blouberg, in the Vhembe Biosphere Reserve, South Africa. Bothalia, African Biodiversity & Conservation, 49(1). Retrieved from https://abcjournal.org/index.php/BothaliaABC/article/view/35

Issue

Section

Original research, Reviews, Strategies, Case studies