Philodromus brachycephalus

Spotted Running Spider
female
female
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Philodromidae
Genus: Philodromus
Species:
P. brachycephalus
Binomial name
Philodromus brachycephalus
Lawrence, 1952[1]

Philodromus brachycephalus is a species of spider in the family Philodromidae.[2] It is commonly known as the spotted running spider.[3]

Distribution

Philodromus brachycephalus is known from Tanzania and South Africa.[2] In South Africa, it is known from four provinces including six protected areas, with an altitudinal range of 48 to 1,730 m (157 to 5,676 ft) above sea level.[3]

Habitat and ecology

The species are free-living plant dwellers sampled from vegetation. The species has been sampled from the Grassland, Savanna and Thicket biomes, and was also sampled from avocado and macadamia orchards.[3]

Description

Conservation

Philodromus brachycephalus is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide range. The species is protected in six protected areas.[3]

Etymology

The specific name means "short-headed" in Greek.

Taxonomy

The species was originally described by Lawrence (1952) from Pietermaritzburg in South Africa. The genus has not been revised and the species is known only from the female.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Lawrence, R.F. (1952). "New spiders from the eastern half of South Africa". Annals of the Natal Museum. 12: 183–226.
  2. 1 2 "Philodromus brachycephalus Lawrence, 1952". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2022). The Philodromidae of South Africa. Version 2. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 15. doi:10.5281/zenodo.6634009. Retrieved 21 September 2025. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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