Field Guide to the Spiders of South Africa

This Field Guide to the Spiders of South Africa features some 780 of the more common species found in South Africa.
Dippenaar-Schoeman, Ansie
22100
978-1-77-584797-7
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€25.80 *

Title: Field Guide to the Spiders of South Africa
Authors: Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa
Imprint: Struik Nature
2nd revised edition. Cape Town, South Africa 2023
ISBN 9781775847977 / ISBN 978-1-77-584797-7
Softcover, 15 x 21 cm, 400 pages, throughout colour photographs and distribution maps

About: Field Guide to the Spiders of South Africa

In South Africa spiders are found everywhere, in and around houses, in every garden and on every farm, and in all outdoor spaces. Despite being widely feared, very few South African spiders have venom harmful to humans, and no spider-related death has ever been recorded in the region. Spiders have great natural and academic significance. They are important predators in all terrestrial ecosystems. They display a range of fascinating behaviours, and are excellent subjects to teach the younger generation about nature. They produce silk stronger than any human-made fibre, using it to construct intricate webs, to build retreats, to encase eggs, to trap and wrap prey, and even as a sail to fly through the air.

South Africa has a rich spider fauna: at present 72 families and 2282 species are known. Endemism is high, with 60% of species found in no other country. The most diverse families are Salticidae (jumping spiders) with 353 species, followed by Gnaphosidae (ground spiders) with 212 species and Thomisidae (crab spiders) with 143 species. This thoroughly revised and updated Field Guide to the Spiders of South Africa features some 780 of the more common species found in South Africa, with notes on identification, behaviour, distribution, and biological and conservation significance. An introductory chapter discusses spider morphology, life cycle, the functions of silk, as well as spider collection techniques.

Succinct genus and species accounts cover identifying characteristics, behaviour, distribution and conservation status. A section on venom identifies species that pose a danger to humans, unpacks neurotoxic and cytotoxic venom, and details the symptoms and treatment of spider bites. Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman is an arachnologist and one of the foremost experts on African spiders. Over the past 55 years, her research has resulted in more than 300 published titles, including nine books and 66 photo identification guides. She retired from her Specialist Scientist post at the Agricultural Research Council in 2013. At present she is an Adjunct Professor at the University of Venda.

Content: Field Guide to the Spiders of South Africa

INTRODUCTION
What are spiders?
Spider guilds
Spider morphology
Silk
Life cycle
Spiders as predators
Venom
Collecting spiders
Biomes of South Africa
How to use this book
WEB DWELLERS
Agelenidae: funnel-web spiders
Amaurobiidae: mesh-web spiders
Araneidae: araneid orb-web spiders
Cyatholipidae: tree sheet-web spiders
Deinopidae: net-casting spiders
Dictynidae: mesh-weavers
Drymusidae: false violin spiders
Eresidae: velvet spiders
Euagridae: curtain-web spiders
Filistatidae: crevice weavers
Hahniidae: comb-tailed spiders
Ischnothelidae: curtain-web spiders
Linyphiidae: dwarf sheet-web spiders
Mysmenidae: dwarf orb-web spiders
Nesticidae: comb-footed spiders
Oecobiidae: round-headed spiders
Menneus sp.
Penestomidae: flat velvet spiders
Pholcidae: daddy long-legs spiders
Phyxelididae: hackled mesh-web spiders
Pisauridae: nursery-web spiders
Segestriidae: tube-web spiders
Symphytognathidae: dwarf orb-web spiders
Tetragnathidae: long-jawed orb-web spiders
Theridiidae: comb-footed spiders
Uloboridae: hackled orb-web spiders
PLANT DWELLERS
Cheiracanthiidae: sac spiders
Clubionidae: grass sac spiders
Hersiliidae: long-spinneret spiders
Mimetidae: pirate spiders
Oxyopidae: lynx spiders
Philodromidae: running crab spiders
Salticidae: jumping spiders
Sparassidae: huntsman spiders
Thomisidae: crab spiders
Trochanteriidae: scorpion spiders
GROUND DWELLERS
Anyphaenidae: ghost spiders
Archaeidae: long-necked spiders
Atypidae: purse-web spiders
Barychelidae: brush-footed trapdoor spiders
Bemmeridae: Afrasian wishbone spiders
Caponiidae: orange lungless spiders
Cithaeronidae: swift ground spiders
Corinnidae: dark sac spiders
Ctenidae: tropical wolf spiders
Cyrtaucheniidae: wafer-lid trapdoor spiders
Desidae: intertidal spiders
Dysderidae: woodlice-hunting spiders
Entypesidae: African open burrow spiders
Gallieniellidae: gallieniellid ground spiders
Gnaphosidae: flat-bellied ground spiders
Idiopidae: armoured trapdoor spiders
Liocranidae: spiny-legged sac spiders
Lycosidae: wolf spiders
Microstigmatidae:
microstigmatid spiders
Migidae: tree trapdoor spiders
Oonopidae: goblin spiders
Orsolobidae: six-eyed ground spiders
Palpimanidae: palp-footed spiders
Prodidomidae: long-spinneret ground spiders
Scytodidae: spitting spiders
Selenopidae: flatties or wall spiders
Sicariidae: violin spiders and six-eyed sand spiders
Stasimopidae: cork-lid trapdoor spiders
Theraphosidae: baboon spiders
Trachelidae: dark sac spiders
Zodariidae: zodariid spiders
Zoropsidae: false wolf spiders
GLOSSARY
INDEX TO SCIENTIFIC NAMES
INDEX TO FAMILY COMMON NAMES
PICTURE CREDITS
ACRONYMS