SANSA NEWS South African National Survey of Arachnida

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No. 20 JAN–APRIL 2014

11th Colloquium of the African Arachnological Society

The 11th Colloquium of the African Arachnological Society was hosted by the University of the Free State (Charles Haddad and Jan-Andries Neethling) and National Museum (Leon Lotz) in Bloemfon- tein, and was held at the Amanzi Private Game Reserve (APGR) in the Brandfort district, Free Inside this issue: State, South Africa. The objectives of the Colloquium include promoting research on the African Arachnida (non-Acari) and providing a forum for the discussion of this research in oral presenta- tions, posters and workshops, as well as informal discussions. 11th AFRAS Colloquium..…...……..1 Some highlights: SANSA research activities …..… 2-5 28 people attended, including visitors from Russia and Belgium. Launch of new book……….………..5  News snippets..……………...………6  18 papers and 10 posters were presented Invasive species…………...….…….7  The second Red Data listing workshop was held, organized by Theresa Sethusa and Domitilla Thomisus crab spiders………..…....8 Raimundo of SANBI. Water carrier wasps………….….….9 The new Grassland Spider book was launched. SANSA surveys...... ……..……10-11  New species…………………….….12  Other workshops discussed: the way forward for SANSA; barcoding and the collecting of DNA New publications…………………...13 samples; the way forward in compiling a common name list. Last word…..……………………….13 The social activities included:  A welcoming dinner on the evening of the 19th of January.  A Russian Party on the 21st of January.  Colloquium dinner on the 22nd of January.

Several awards were also presented: Editors and coordinators:  Astri Leroy of the Spider Club received the Lawrence award for her support and dedication to African arachnids over the past 30 years. Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman  Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman received for the second time the award for the best contribution to ARC-Plant Protection Research Institute African Arachnology over the last three years (2011-2013). Private Bag X134  Arnaud Henrard won the award for best student poster. Queenswood Vivian Butler received the award for best student paper presen- 0121  tation. South Africa E-mail: [email protected]  Nicolette Josling won the prize for the best poster.  Stefan Foord and Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman received the Charles Haddad award for the best paper presentation. Department of Zoology & Entomology  The prize for the best photograph was won by Vida van der University of the Free State Walt for a photo of a jumping spider (see below). P.O. Box 339  Rudy Jocqué and his wife Elizabeth won the prize for the catch Best photograph prize awarded Bloemfontein to Vida van der Walt for a Rhene of the day, with a Theridiosomatidae spider that was recorded sp. (Salticidae). 9300 from APGR for the first time. South Africa E-mail: [email protected]

SANSA VIRTUAL MUSEUM

The SANSA Virtual Muse- um is available again. It was transferred to a new website. Search under GOOGLE for SANSA Virtu- al Museum to get the new site. We have now 3900 entries with >11000 images on the database all identified.

Delegates that attended the 11th Colloquium of the African Arachnological Society. SANSA NEWS 20

SANSA RESEARCH ACTIVITIES PRESENTED AT THE 11th AFRAS COLLOQUIUM

The South African National Survey of Arachnida (SANSA) – past Spiders of the Tafelkop Game Reserve, Waterberg, Limpopo and present Province A.S. Dippenaar-Schoeman, R. Lyle, C.R. Haddad, S.H. Foord & H. Davel L.N. Lotz A photographic study on the spider fauna of the Tafelkop Game Re- Signatories of the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD) are obligat- serve, situated 10km south-east of Melkrivier in the Waterberg, is ed to develop a strategic plan for the conservation and sustainable use presented. The reserve is nearly 1000 ha in extent and most of the of biodiversity. To meet the requirements of the CBD, the South Afri- sampling to date focused on two habitats: deep, sandy bushveld and can National Survey of Arachnida (SANSA) riparian bush, which are typical habitats in the area. Sampling for spi- was initiated in 1997 by the Agricultural Research Council (ARC). ders was conducted during June-July and December 2013, and Janu- SANSA is an umbrella project that was implemented at a national level ary 2014. The aim of the study was to create a tool with which to spark in collaboration with researchers and institutions countrywide, dedicat- an interest in spiders in ed to document and unify information on arachnids in South Africa. both locals and visitors to this pristine area. Photographs of each spi- The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) came on der encountered are accompanied with relevant details (identifications, board for the project’s second phase (2006-2010) in partnership with GPS coordinates, size, sex and microhabitats). To date more than 20 the ARC. During the 16-year project an attempt was made to consoli- families have been collected and photographed, with multiple species date all the available data on South African spiders into one database, photographed from several families. The Oxyopidae was the most to determine the distribution ranges of species in South Africa. The frequently sampled family, and seems to be well represented in the information gathered is organised in a relational database (>80 000 reserve. Also of significance, Tafelkop is only the fourth known locality entries) collating data from 22 institutions. As part of SANSA, a num- of the recently described baboon spider, Pterinochilus lapalala Gallon ber of projects are underway to determine the diversity of the arachnid & Engelbrecht, 2011. fauna of South Africa, which includes an inventory of the spider fauna of the different floral biomes. These projects recently culminated in the production of the First Atlas of the Spider Species of South Africa. Presently 71 spider families, 471 genera and 2028 species are known from South Africa, representing approximately 4.8% of the world fauna. Of the 2028 spider species, 1241 (61%) are endemic to the country. The third phase of SANSA started in 2011 and several review articles were published and bioinformatics actions are planned, such as Red Listing of species, a handbook series for all the biomes, publication of the atlas, and description of new species. The last decade has seen an exponential growth in the knowledge of the group in South Africa, but there are certainly many more species that still have to be discovered and described.

Ground-dwelling spider assemblages in contrasting habitats of the Amanzi Private Game Reserve, South Africa V.P. Butler & C.R. Haddad

Heide Davel Ground-dwelling spiders were collected in eight different habitats in the Amanzi Private Game Reserve in the central Free State, South Pterinochilus lapalala Africa. Three of the habitats sampled were contrasting woodlands (Themeda triandra, Searsia burchellii and Tarchonanthus campho- ratus woodlands), three were associated with hilly habitats Space-time interactions and variability in spider (northern and southern slopes, and plateau), and one each associated diversity along an elevational transect in a Floristic Best with peripheral vegetation of a freshwater dam and Digitaria eriantha Kingdom sensitive to climate change paper planted pasture. Spiders were sampled at two sites in each habitat S.H. Foord & A.S. Dippenaar-Schoeman (five pitfalls per site) over the course of a year from September 2012 to August 2013; only the data from early spring (September), mid- Space, time and their interactions’ impact on diversity is cen- summer (January), mid-autumn (April) and mid-winter (July) is pre- tral to our ability to understand and predict future change in diversity. sented here. A total of 2982 adult spiders were collected, representing Mountains provide ideal testing grounds for this understanding and 129 species and 31 families. Ammoxenidae was the most abundant possible spatial surrogates for temporal responses of assemblages to family (n = 1218, 40.8 %), followed by Gnaphosidae (n = 634, 21.3 %), climate change. Most studies of spider assemblages are spatial snap Zodariidae (n = 322, 10.8 %) and Salticidae (n = 306, 10.3%). Gna- shots and none exists for an elevational transect over multiple years. phosidae was the most species rich family (32 spp., 24.8 %), followed For the first time we describe the monitoring of epigeal spider assem- by Salticidae (17 spp., 13.2 %), Lycosidae (15 spp., 11.6 %) blages, and Zodariidae (8 spp., 6.2 %). twice a year over a six year period in 17 elevational sites (0 - 1900 m), both sides of the Cederberg Mountains in the Western Cape, South Africa. We test whether there is a change in richness, turnover over time, identify the relative contribution of spatial, seasonal and annual turnover to gamma diversity, identify possible processes responsible for this turnover, and use species time and area relationships (STAR) to identify at what scale temporal and spatial processes are equivalent and whether the space-time interaction is negative. Spiders were caught with pitfall traps twice a year (dry and wet seasons) along an east-west elevational transect in the Cederberg Mountains. There were no significant changes in alpha diversity over space and time; beta diversity also remained constant. Seasonal turnover contributed most to turnover at a site, while the relative roles of species loss and replacement varied with aspect. Space-time interactions had a negative impact on richness. The spider assemblages remained stable over the period of the study, and most of the changes were seasonal. Impli- cations of these results for long term monitoring are discussed. Amanzi Private Game Reserve

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SANSA ACTIVITIES—continued

Survey of the arachnids of the Kliprivierberg Nature Reserve, Spider diversity of the Addo Elephant National Park Johannesburg L. Wiese & A.S. Dippenaar-Schoeman J. Faiola, A.S. Dippenaar-Schoeman, R. Lyle, P. Cowan & M. Brits This study forms part of the South African National Survey of Arachni- The Klipriviersberg Nature Reserve, at 680 ha, is the largest conserva- da (SANSA), initiated in 1997 with the main aim to create an inventory tion area in Metropolitan Johannesburg. It is situated about 10 km of the arachnid fauna of South Africa. One of the objectives of SANSA from the city centre (26°18’13”S, 28°00’39”E). The area was settled in is to assess the number of arachnid species presently conserved in p rehistoric times, and more recently by Sotho and Tswana peoples, protected areas in the country. Of the nineteen national parks of South before being settled by white farmers around 1850. Farming has main- Africa, check lists of spiders are now available for three national parks, ly been livestock, in particular pig farming, from around 1913. The namely Mountain Zebra National Park, Karoo National Park and the farm was sold to Johannesburg City Council in 1939, and it was Kruger National Park. The relatively poor knowledge of the arachnids eventually proclaimed as a nature reserve in 1984. In the last thirty of the Eastern Cape provided the impetus to set up a survey for Addo years it has become completely encircled by urban development. The Elephant National Park (AENP). The AENP, an area of 164 000 ha, is reserve encompasses a portion of the Klipriviersberg mountain range, 34 km from Port Elizabeth and was proclaimed as a protected area in which resulted from ancient volcanic activity, mainly basalt. Variations 1931. It lies in the dense valley bushveld of the in the geology have resulted in different plants being dominant in dif- Sundays River region and contains five of the seven South African ferent areas. The reserve consists mainly of upland grassland floral biomes. Although specimens of five of the arachnid orders were with peaks and valleys. Maximum altitude is around 1785 m a.s.l. A collected (Araneae, Opiliones, Pseudoscorpiones, Scorpiones and small tributary of the Klip River flows through the reserve. Parts of the Solifugae, excluding Acari), the primary focus of this study was on the reserve have been transformed by farming activities, and some reha- spiders (Araneae), which was done with the aim of providing a base- bilitation has occurred. We are attempting to represent all these differ- line for future ecological research. A survey of arachnids in the greater ences in our choice of sites for collecting. Until now, an arachnid sur- Addo Elephant National Park started in June 2009. AENP ranges in vey of the reserve has never been conducted, and therefore, altitude from the fynbos on the Zuurberg Mountains to the forests and little is known of the diversity of its arachnid fauna. Both the Nature coastal dunes of Woody Cape. Addo is also known for its dense areas Reserve Association and Joburg City Parks, who administers the re- of thicket and Porkbush/Spekboom (Portulacaria afra). This is a pre- serve, are keen to have a full inventory of all flora and fauna in the liminary report based on the sampling so far undertaken and the mate- reserve, including arachnids. The Spider Club of Southern Africa com- rial that has been sorted and identified. Surveys are to continue. To menced the survey in September 2012 under the auspices of the Agri- date 42 families represented by 206 species have been recorded, with cultural Research Council, and approval granted by Joburg City the Thomisidae (29 species) the most diverse family. Parks. It was subsequently decided to run the survey for two full years. Collection is mainly by means of pitfall traps, and four permanent sites were established in different habitats in 2012. One of the original sites was dismantled in October 2013, and a new site established. A second original site will be dismantled shortly and another new site will probably be established to replace it. The pitfall traps comprise trap bottles filled with ethanol 70% boosted by a small amount of propylene glycol (automotive antifreeze), which inhibits evaporation of the ethanol. Traps are serviced once a fortnight. Other collection methods include bark traps, sweep-netting, beating and collecting by hand. A large number of specimens have been collected so far: including spiders, scorpions, solifugids, opilionids and pseudoscorpions. The specimens are being provisionally sorted and identified by the first author, then passed to the second author for final identification. All specimens will be lodged at the National Collection of Arachnida at the ARC-Plant Protection Research Institute. Because collecting and sorting is still ongoing, it is impossible to give a defini- tive checklist of species. This preliminary report will only give provi- sional results. Addo Elephant National Park

Diversity of spiders (Araneae) of the Polokwane Nature Reserve, Limpopo Province, South Africa M.A. Modiba, T.T. Khoza, A.S. Dippenaar-Schoeman & S.M. Dip- penaar

A survey of spiders was conducted over a period of a year (March 2005 – Feb 2006) at the Polokwane Nature Reserve. Six different habitat types were sampled: Acacia tortillis open savanna, A. rehmanniana woodland, false grassland, riverine and sweetthorn thicket, granite outcrop, and Aloe marlothii thicket. Four trapping techniques were used: active searching, sweep netting, pitfall trapping Kliprivierberg Nature Reserve and tree beating. A total of 13 821 spiders were sampled during the study, representing 39 families, 156 genera and 275 species. An ac- cumulative species-area plot estimated that the number of families present in the Polokwane Nature Reserve is 40 and the number of species present is likely to be about 300. Thus, 92% of the species present were collected. The majority of families were widespread and abundant in all habitat types and seasons, while ten families were represented by a single species, with only five and fewer spiders caught. Oxyopidae was the most abundant family, representing 25% of the total number of specimens collected. This is the first survey in Southern Africa where the family Oxyopidae was recorded as the most abundant group present. The most diverse families collected during this survey were Thomisidae, represented by 42 different species, which constituted 15.3% of the total number of species sampled.

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SANSA ACTIVITIES—continued

Spiders of the Kalkfontein Dam Nature Reserve A photographic survey of the arachnids of Irene N.A. Josling & L. Lotz P. Webb & A.S. Dippenaar-Schoeman Best Kalkfontein Dam Nature Reserve (29° poster Little is known about the diversity of arachnids in urban and suburban 31’17.425”S, areas in South Africa. During this survey, the first author visited a small 25° 16’39.89”E) is situated 35km from Fauresmith grassland area close to the small village of Irene (25° 53’29.81”S 28° in the Nama Karoo Biome and extends 6482 14’04.62”E) in Centurion over a period of six years. This pristine hectares. The Veld type of the area is described as Eastern grassland is found opposite the famous landmark of Smuts’ house. Mixed Nama Karoo (Veld type 52). Although not remarkably rich in The area is on dolomite, and is a haven for many different species of mammal species or endemism, the fauna and flora of the region is grasses with an abundance of wildflowers in the spring. Although trees impressively adapted to its climatic extremes. Vegetation consists of a are sparse the odd Buffalo thorn (Ziziphus mucronata), white stink- complex mix of grass- and scrub-dominated vegetation types, which wood (Celtis africana), dogwood (Rhamnus prinoides), karee, taaibos are subject to dramatic changes in species composition, depending on and Grewia flava make it very typical Highveld grassland. seasonal rainfall. The peak rainfall is during January and March. Aver- Where there are clumps of trees there is often a very deep sinkhole in age annual rainfall is about 431mm. Temperatures range between a the centre. The area that was searched and hunted in is approximately minimum of -11°C in wi nter to 41°C in summer. The area in general is 1 square kilometer in size, receiving summer rainfall with frosty cold prone to extended periods of drought. During a two week period dry winters, at an altitude of 1465m. It is burnt on an annual basis usu- from 7-17 April 2008, SANSA fieldwork was undertaken at Kalkfontein ally around July. The fields slope upwards from west to east with the Dam by the second author. During this time, 896 spider specimens lowest point being the western boundary at 1450m climbing up to 1510 were collected from 26 families. Collecting was done by pit traps, beat- m in the far north eastern corner. The western boundary appears to be ing, sweeping, and active search. Active search was conducted during a little disturbed with alien weeds etc, possibly due to the houses on its the day and night. Three grassland and three rocky areas were sam- border, but still good for insects and spiders in the summer. pled on the north-eastern side of the dam. The trees and shrubs used for beating were part of the rocky areas. Currently a survey is being conducted by N.A. Josling. A database is compiled of a photographical collection of the spiders found, and is currently standing at 32 families.

PeterWebb Irene Highveld grassland

Kalkfontein Dam Nature Reserve 3rd best picture Peter Webb Dresserus sp. (Eresidae), a common ground dweller

Peter Webb Pholcid shedding its skin Monaeses austrinus (Thomisidae), a common plant dweller 4 SANSA NEWS 20

SANSA ACTIVITIES—continued

Species for Africa – a rich biodiversity of insects and spiders collected from one trap in an urban area in Pretoria J. Kelly, S. Mathebula & A.S. Dippenaar-Schoeman

Little is known about the diversity of invertebrates in urban and suburban areas in South Africa. For this preliminary study the first in the Gauteng, Pretoria area only a single Malaise trap was used over a year period. Serene Valley is situated in the suburban area of Gars- fontein, in Pretoria East (25⁰47’49”S, 28⁰17’54”E). It has a small tributary, the Constantia Spruit, of the greater Moreleta river catch- ment area. The area consists of dense riverine vegetation along the banks of the river with dispersed small patches of grass stands. The area is surrounding by residential housing both free stand housing and high density townhouse developments. The trap was placed between two trees in a natural insect flight path. The trap was cleared once a week in summer and once every two week in winter from 29 March 2012 to the 17 March 2013. The insects were represented by 13 orders and at least 54 families while the spiders (order Araneae) was represented by 25 families and 50 species. There was an expected significant decrease in the number of species during the colder months of the year. Malaise traps are not typically used to collect spiders. The high and diverse number of families (16) and species (50) sampled from only one trap showed that there is a rich fauna of spiders present in this suburban area. Two species of subor- der Mygalomorphae (Cyrtaucheniidae and Nemesiidae) both trapdoor spiders were interesting finds. The jumping spiders were the most diverse represented by seven species and the sac spiders (Miturgidae: Cheiracanthium) was the most abundant and 30 specimens have been sampled followed by the nursery-web spiders (Pisauridae) with 18 specimens.

Contact: [email protected] LAUNCH OF THE NEW GRASSLAND SPIDER BOOK

During the colloquium, the new book on Spiders of the Grassland Biome by Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman and Charles Haddad was launched by Rudy Jocqué.

This new book is the first to provide information on the 58 families, 275 genera and 792 species of spiders found in the Grassland Bi- ome of South Africa. Of these, 58 species are endemic to the biome. The purpose of the book is primarily to provide baseline information on diversity in an area that has previously been poorly sampled. Descriptive characters for the families, genera and species are provided, with information on their guilds and behaviour. The book is richly illustrated with >600 colour photo- Ansie, Rudy and Charles graphs. The focus in this book is on the families and genera that are likely to be encountered, as many spider species are small and often not easily seen. The five chapters deal with the free-living plant dwellers, plant web dwellers, free-living ground dwellers, ground burrow dwellers and ground web dwellers.

This book is a product of the South African Nation- al Survey of Arachnida (SANSA). The main aims of SANSA are to produce inventories of the arach- nofauna of South Africa, and to assemble much needed information on their distribution and abundance. The book is a joint effort of the Agricultural Research Council and University of the Free State. The book was funded by E. Oppenheimer & Son.

The book costs R160.00 (R185 including postage and packaging) and is directly available from the authors at ARC– Plant Protection Research Insti- tute ([email protected]) or University of the Free State ([email protected]).

Contact: [email protected]

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NEWS SNIPPETS NEW SALTICIDAE WEBSITE—PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN

Please visit the new South African Salticidae website developed The aim of this website is to showcase the diver- by Vida van der Walt at www.jumpingspiders.co.za. sity and beauty of South African jumping spiders by means of a photographic gallery of the different species. Not all the species are represented as yet, but Vida will keep adding new species. Vida is an amateur macro photographer with a keen interest in insects and spiders. She has spent the last year and a half searching for jumping spiders to photograph in various parts of South Africa. The jumping spider family (Salticidae) is the largest spider family worldwide, with more than 5500 species described. In South Africa alone 67 genera and 265 species are currently known. Vida would love to have a photo of all the species, preferably of both sexes.

So please, if anybody finds an interesting live jumping spider contact Vida at [email protected] Thyene sp. photographed by Vida

UNUSUAL SIGHTING OF A BURROW-LIVING WOLF SPIDER

An unusual sighting of wolf spider behaviour was documented on the 13th April 2014 at the chalets in Ezemvelo Nature Reserve by Peter Webb. On the Saturday evening we went out night hunting for spiders. Upon our return, I found a spider burrow lined with silk about 9 mm across near the chalet door (Fig. 1). Not knowing what it was we decided to dig it up in the morning. We all went inside made coffee and when we came out the hole was gone. Impossible, I thought, and immediately started to look around. I found the entrance to the burrow totally closed over with a silk flap that looked Fig. 1 Fig. 2 like sand. We had probably disturbed the spider and it had gone back under cover. The next morning the entrance was closed and remained like that all day (Fig. 2). That evening it was open again (Fig. 3), and this time armed with camera and a blade of grass we were determined to find out what it was. I got the camera ready and Robin Lyle tickled the edge of the hole, and in a split second the spider leapt out, grabbed the grass (Fig. 4), and was back in the burrow (leaving behind the grass) (Fig. 5). I managed to take a cou- ple of shots in this time, and we were fortunate, as we got a good shot of the spider while it was holding the grass. Fig. 3 Fig. 4 Now back in its burrow, we decided to have a look at the lid. It was loose, soft (like a blanket) and covered with soil and tiny pebbles (Fig. 6). I think the best way to describe it would be as a very floppy extension of the tunnel itself, which lay all round the tunnel entrance on the ground, disguised because of the attached soil. When needed, the lid was lifted and pulled to the centre, forming this stone - covered floppy roof. We poked it and lifted it up gently, and it was definitely composed of silk, covered in soil and small stones.

We left it that night, and the following morning when we came out, Fig. 5 Fig. 6 the hole was totally covered and closed. I took a stalk of grass and pressed it through the soft top, probed around a little and the spider immediately popped out onto the surface of the ground around the hole allowing me to take a few more shots (Figs 7&8). We then found a variety of the burrows around the chalets.

The spider was identified by Ansie as Ocyale guttatta (Lycosidae). It is one of our largest wolf spiders, and except for knowing that they can be well camouflaged when running around, this is the first ob- servation that they are burrow dwellers. Fig. 7 Fig. 8 Contact: Peter Webb at [email protected]

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NEWS SNIPPETS

AT LAST A NAME FOR THE INVASIVE MAPPING THE RISK OF ALIEN SPIDER DICTYNIDAE SPECIES—Dictyna civica INVASIONS

The small dictynid spider that was first observed on the walls of the Recent records of three introduced species, viz. Badumna longiqua, Biosystematics building at Roodeplaat Campus in 2010 was at long Dictyna civica and Crossopriza lyoni have highlighted the importance of last identified by Dr Yuri Marusik of Russia. This small spider makes understanding the pathways of introduction of these species, their po- a star-shaped web on the outside walls, with the spiders sitting in tential to colonize other areas in South Africa, and predict possible im- the center of the web with silk threads radiating outwards. Their pacts (ecological and anthropic). Although none of these three species numbers increased quickly and although they were removed from are medically important, they can pose a significant nuisance by defac- the building in October 2013 they were soon back (February 2014). ing buildings, excessive web construction in and around built up areas, This spider is Dictyna civica and is also known as the wall spider. It and significant localized outbreaks. Presently each of these species is probably originates from Europe or North Africa and has been intro- not known from more than three localities throughout South Africa. duced to Turkey and North America as well. Cavin Shivambu from the University of Venda will model their potential distribution throughout South Africa as part of his honours project. He will utilize records from their native and introduced ranges globally to identify drivers of their distribution and extrapolate this to conditions in South Africa. This will provide a geographical risk profile for the country and an indicator of the potential of these species to become invasive.

Contact: Stefan Foord at [email protected]

Please report any further records to Stefan Foord (email: [email protected]).

Dictyna civica web on a wall, with Dictyna civica female (top) the distinctive threads radiating and male (bottom) from the centre of the web

Cavin Shivambu

IF YOU SEE ANY OF THESE SPIDERS REPORT BACK TO US PLEASE

Crossopriza lyoni (Pholcidae), so far Badumna longiqua (Desidae), so Dictyna civica (Dictynidae), so far seen in Pretoria and Hoedspruit far seen in Jeffrey’s Bay, Port only known from Roodeplaat Cam- Elizabeth and Bloemfontein pus of the ARC in Pretoria

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THOMISUS FLOWER CRAB SPIDERS AND THEIR PREY

Research undertaken in South Africa has shown that members of Thomisus species involved the family Thomisidae are one of the most abundant groups of spiders sampled in South Africa. They are found in all the floral biomes Of the spiders that were sampled, most of them (84%) belonged to one but they are also very commonly found in agro-ecosystems. Tho- of three species, namely Thomisus stenningi, T. citrinellus and T. daradi- misids are active during the day and prey on a variety of small in- oides. There were four other confirmed species present, T. blandus, T. vertebrates, potentially playing an important role in the biological australis, T. kalaharinus and T. scrupeus, making up the last 16%. Only control of pests such as aphids, red spider mites and thrips. Several 11 specimens were not identified. These results are confirmed by the studies have highlighted the importance of thomisids in biological known distribution of the three species, which are known to be common. control programmes in several crops. Correlation with colour of flower Some of the Thomisidae genera live mainly on flowers and employ a sit-and-wait (ambush) predatory strategy. This lifestyle resulted in There were many spiders that were the same colour as the flower on them often coming into contact with beneficial insects, particularly which they were able to catch their prey, but this was only a little over pollinators. Thomisus is the most commonly found genus on flower- half of the individuals examined. A surprising one third were spiders that ing plants in South Africa. had a different colour to the flower, suggesting that camouflage is not the only contributing factor to successful hunting. Thomisus is a large genus with more than 100 known species. They are well represented in the Afrotropical Region with 42 known spe- Contact: Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman at [email protected] cies, of which fifteen species are known from South Africa. Seven or Janine Kelly species are very common and are represented in this survey. The other species are rarer, with more restricted distributions.

Flower crab spiders have lost the ability to move about swiftly, and may spend their entire lives on only one part of a plant. They have good eyesight and well-developed tactile sense organs, and their brush-like scopulae facilitate movement on plants. They are usually brightly-pigmented, and are able to change colour. They are commonly found on flowers that are the same colour as themselves.

As part of the South African National Survey of Arachnida, an online Virtual Museum is operational and includes more than 9000 images of spiders that have been received from the public throughout the country during the last six years. Using this as reference, all the P. Webb A. Jones photographs of the genus Thomisus that were feeding were examined to determine their type of prey. Crab spiders do not chew their prey, but only inject digestive enzymes into them and suck out the body contents. The outer skin of the prey stays intact and it is easy to determine their identities.

In a joint project, a total of 296 photographs taken by 26 photogra- phers was examined. Four aspects were investigated:  Prey type  Bite site  Thomisus species involved J. van Zyl A. Jones  Correlation with colour of flower

Prey type

The results showed that the spiders were able to catch prey belong- ing to the following insect groups: Diptera (flies), Apoidea (bees), Lepidoptera (moths & butterflies), Hymenoptera (wasps), Orthop- tera (crickets and grasshoppers), Thysanoptera (thrips), Coleoptera (beetles) and other Araneae (spiders). The flies were the most commonly caught prey, comprising just less than half of the total number at 42%. They are followed by the bees at 32%, with the other groups together making up the remaining 26%: Lepidoptera (8%), Hymenoptera – wasps (5%), Orthoptera (4%), Thysanoptera (2%), V. vd Walt A. Jones other Araneae (2%) and Coleoptera (1%) .

Bite site – all prey

The flower spiders had a strong tendency to be able to catch their prey in the neck region. This occurred on over half of the occasions. When a spider caught its prey in the neck region it was caught on the dorsal surface 79% of the time, and only 21% of the time from below (ventrally). When the prey was caught on the abdomen, 84% of the time it was ventrally. Less than 10% of the prey was caught by the spider in the thoracic region. There was an obvious differ- ence in the bite site between flies and bees. The bees were consist- ently caught in the neck region and always dorsally or sometimes ventrally on the abdomen. The flies, on the other hand, were mostly caught on the abdomen. C. Haddad A. Jones

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ASPECTS OF THE WATER CARRIER WASP CHALYBION SPINOLAE AND ITS SPIDER PREY(HYMENOPTERA, SPHECIDAE)

In a joint project between an entomologist, an arachnologist and a cells. This process involved making mud pellets, and the physical con- citizen scientist, some aspects of the ethology of the water carrier struction of a mud nest cell in which the young wasp would develop. wasp, Chalybion spinolae, were studied and presented in a recent publication. The study involved observations of nesting behaviour A great deal of time was spent observing the use of spiders by the and construction, mating, oviposition, and behavioural interaction wasps as prey for their young. This included aspects such as the size with its prey. range of the spiders, how the wasps transported their captured spiders, and the process of getting the spider and the egg containing the new Dr Ernst Nel, a citizen scientist in the Western Cape, discovered wasp into the nests. The development of the wasp through its larval large numbers of paralysed button spiders Latrodectus geometricus stages was also documented. and L. indistinctus (family Theridiidae) in an old, abandoned cow shed. He found that three species of wasps were present in the These wasps have often been randomly seen by people, but the details area, namely Sceliphron spirifex (a mud-dauber wasp), Chalybion of their life histories have never been truly explored. This publication tibiale and C. spinolae (a water-carrier wasp). However, C. spinolae expanded our knowledge on the behaviour of these wasps considerably. was the only wasp provisioning its nest cells with the spiders that he It is also a further example of how simple observations made by anyone had discovered. interested in our natural world can lead to a deeper understanding of another orgamism, and which science now knows a little bit more about. Over four years, the interaction between the wasp C. spinolae and its prey was studied. The behaviour of the male and female wasps Contact: Ernst Nel, Janine Kelly or Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman at was carefully observed, and it was found that males will attempt to [email protected] mate with females the moment they emerge from their nest cells as adults. Once the females have mated, they begin to construct nest

E. Nel

Fig. 1. Chalybion spinolae copulating. Fig. 2. Chalybion spinolae carrying her prey into a nest.

Fig. 3. Chalybion spinolae larvae feeding on Latrodectus prey Fig. 4. Pupal casing of Chalybion spinolae

NEL, E., KELLY, J. & DIPPENAAR-SCHOEMAN, A.S. 2014.. Notes on the biology of the wasp, Chalybion spinolae (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae), an obligatory predator of Latrodectus (Araneae: Theridiidae) spiders in South Africa. Journal Natural History DOI:10.1080/00222933.2013.877993

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SEVERAL SANSA PROJECTS UNDERWAY - THREE NEW PROJECTS IN GAUTENG

It has become clear that gaps in our knowledge of the grasslands of Gaut- eng still exist, especially regarding the urban and suburban areas. Alt- hough Gauteng is the smallest province in South Africa, it is characterised by a high plant biodiversity. The province falls within both the Savanna and the highly threatened Grassland Biome, and approximately 83% of the province comprises Highveld Grassland vegetation types, of which a mere 0.8% is currently conserved in South Africa. Added to this, an estimated 16.8% of the South African human population resides in Gauteng, and the province has the highest population density (an estimated 365 persons per km²) and the highest urbanisation levels. Consequently, the biodiversity in the province is highly threatened by industrialisation, mining, agriculture and especially urbanisation, the latter due to the current high demands for the provision of land and basic services to alleviate poor living conditions. Essentially, the successful conservation of biodiversity within Gauteng will require the identification of priority areas where development and habitat transformation and fragmentation should be discouraged and conservation efforts should be focused. Caponia sp. (Caponiidae) sampled and photographed by Peter 1. SPIDER BIODIVERSITY IN GREEN GRASS- Webb at Groenkloof Nature Reserve LAND AREAS Interest in the invertebrate faunas of urban and suburban areas has increased in the last 10-15 years, especially in Europe and North America. These areas are not just seen as man-modified habitats of low intrinsic biodiversity, but as havens for wildlife in an increasingly intensively farmed and over-managed countryside. These areas can be potential corridors for dispersal of wildlife through urban areas, promoting connectivity between species’ meta-populations, both within and outside towns and cities. Un- fortunately, the evidence for these functions for invertebrates in South Africa is either anecdotal or completely lacking.

SURVEYS UNDERWAY  SERENE VALLEY: this valley is situated in the suburban area of Garsfontein, in Pretoria East. The number of spider families (16) and species (50) sampled showed that there is a rich fauna of spiders present in this suburban area. See poster data pg. 5.  FAERIE GLEN NATURE RESERVE and GROENKLOOF NATURE RESERVE: surveys started in 2013.  RIETVLEIDAM NATURE RESERVE—survey to start in 2014 (contact Robin Lyle).  PRETORIA BOTANICAL GARDENS: surveys in the Gardens started Cyrtaucheniid trapdoor spider from Irene grassland photo- in 2010 and will continue after the first rains. Presently, 24 families graphed by Peter Webb represented by 75 species are so far known from the garden.

2. SPIDER MONITORING IN CITIES (SMIC)

A community participating project to involve the residents of Irene is planned for 2014. This will include compiling a checklist, surveys and lec- tures. This will be the first survey for a suburb/town in South Africa. Data will be compared to surveys undertaken in pristine fields around Irene. This will be managed by Peter Webb and Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman.

3. OTHER SURVEYS IN GAUTENG  KLIPRIVIERBERG NATURE RESERVE : (see pg. 4). For more information contact Joan Faiola.  SUIKERBOSRAND NATURE RESERVE: existing data compiled to present first checklist of 100 spp. from 31 families (paper in preparation—A.S. Dippenaar-Schoeman)  IRENE GRASSLAND: (see pg. 4) surveys in the grassland in and around Irene started about six years ago. Presently 36 families represented by 202 species have been sampled. Paper in preparation Silver vlei spider and nursery-web spider from Irene grassland Peter Webb and Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman. photographed by Peter Webb  EZEMVELO NATURE RESERVE: data compiled to present first checklist , more surveys planned.

Contact: Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman ([email protected]) and Robin Lyle ([email protected])

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SANSA BIO-BLITZ SURVEYS

A number of bio-blitz surveys were undertaken in a variety of areas. The SANSA bio-blitzes include the standard collection procedures. The material of some of the surveys is still being sorted and identified. We are very fortunate to have Peter Webb accompanying the team, resulting in a wonderful photographic gallery. For each of these blitzes the following will be available on the SANSA website: a complete checklist, images taken on the Virtual Museum, and a photo gallery booklet.

1. SANSA spider survey at the Aardvark Nature Reserve Biodiversity Conservation Area

By invite of Kobus Lubbe, from the Nature College, the spider unit was invited to sample the Aardvark Nature Reserve Biodiversity Conversation Area. The trip took place from 24 to the 30th January 2014. The team, comprising of Robin Lyle, Petro Marais and Peter Webb, set out on the long journey through the heart of the Karoo. They were soon joined by Rudy Jocqué and his wife Elizabeth Tybaert, who were making the most of their time is South Africa. The accommodation, an old house built by the army, is situated on the top the mountain in the 3400 hectares of pristine Little Karoo. Recent, unseasonal rains and a flood made the area lush. It is a true wonder to collect surrounded by the Cape Fold Mountains. The opportunity to sample this area is an important part of the South African National Survey Aardvark Nature Reserve of Arachnida (SANSA) project. The reserve is situated in the Succulent Karoo Biome, which has been very poorly sampled previously. The reserve area is a proclaimed Biodiversity Agreement Conservation Area by Cape Nature. The standard SANSA sampling protocol was used. Peter took photographs of most of the species. Currently, sorting of the material is underway at the Arachnid Unit. We hope to produce a species list soon.

Contact: Robin Lyle at [email protected]

Rudy in action 2. SANSA spider survey at the Ezemvelo Nature Reserve, Gauteng

As part of the SANSA grassland project, the survey took place from 4 to 7 April 2014. The team, comprising of Robin Lyle, Petro Marais and Peter Webb were assisted by Spider Club members Joan Fiaola and JP. On the Saturday the 5th Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman and Vida van der Walt joined them. The SANSA collecting protocol was followed. Peter took photographs of most of the species while Vida photographed the salticids.

Ezemvelo Nature Reserve is situated on the Bankenveld, which is the transition ecotone between the grassland and savanna biomes. The reserve is one of the biggest unspoilt grasslands left in South Africa. The clear waters of the Wilge River cut through the reserve, forming beautiful gorges and valleys. The bushy river valleys are home to extensive animal and birdlife. Ezemvelo Nature Reserve From the SANSA database 31 spp. of spiders were known before the survey. With all the sweeping and beating material sorted and identified, the number of species has increased to 120 species. A total of 45 species (>500 images) were photographed and will be available on the Virtual Museum.

Some interesting finds :  The burrow-dwelling behaviour of Ocyale and especially the trapdoor structure (see pg. 6).  A very high number of orb-web spiders, especially Kilima decens and Neoscona moreli. They make their orb-webs in the grass late in the afternoon and the birds sweep in, feeding on them.  A possible new Mimetidae sp. Robin busy with the pittraps  First record of a male thomisid of the genus Stipropella. They were sampled hanging from the grass, resembling a tick.

Contact: Robin Lyle ([email protected]) or Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman ([email protected])

The team on Saturday

Back: Joan, Petro and JP Front: Ansie, Robin and Vida Behind camera: P. Webb New mimetid? Stipropella mimicking ticks 11 SANSA NEWS 20

NEW SOUTH AFRICAN JUMPING SPIDERS  R. lateripunctatus (♂♀) Western Cape  R. mirabilis (♂♀) Eastern Cape In a separate faunistic paper published at the end of 2013 by Wesolow-  R. tuberatus (♂) Limpopo ska & Haddad, the fourth in a series on South African jumping spiders,  R. virilis (♂) Mpumalanga a further 11 new species were added to the fauna:  Tanzania parvulus (♂♀) KwaZulu-Natal*, Limpopo  Afromarengo plana (♀) Free State  T. striatus (♂♀) Western Cape  Belippo pulchra ((♂♀) ) KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo  Thyenula alotama (♂♀) Eastern Cape*, KwaZulu-Natal  Dendryphantes matumi ((♂♀) ) KwaZulu-Natal  T. cheliceroides (♂) KwaZulu-Natal  D. neethlingi (♀) KwaZulu-Natal  T. clarosignata (♂♀) Eastern Cape*, KwaZulu-Natal  Habrocestum auricomum (♀) Limpopo  T. dentatidens (♂) KwaZulu-Natal  Hasarinella distincta ((♂♀) ) Limpopo  T. haddadi (♂♀) KwaZulu-Natal  Langelurillus cedarbergensis (♀) Western Cape  T. rufa (♂♀) KwaZulu-Natal  Microbianor furcatus (♀) Free State  T. tenebrica (♀) Eastern Cape  Phintella lajuma (♀)  T. virgulata (♂) KwaZulu-Natal  Pseudicius squamatus ((♂♀) KwaZulu-Natal  T. vulnifica (♂♀) Eastern Cape  P. zuluensis ((♂♀) ) KwaZulu-Natal  Yimbulunga foordi (♂) KwaZulu-Natal

Two species, Langelurillus namibicus and Plexippus tsholotsho, and the gene- Aside from these new species, a further 18 species were described ra Hasarinella (for H. distincta) and Neatha, are recorded or have been recorded from South Africa, bringing the total recorded from South Africa for the first time. New locality records were also presented species to 47. Despite the considerable advances that this paper for several species previously recorded or described from the country. has made to our knowledge of Afrotropical Euophryinae, additional new species of Thyenula have already been discovered since the paper was accepted for publication.

W. Wesolowska

Habrocestum auricomum C. Haddad C. Haddad Thyenula leighi Thyenula fidelis AND THEY JUST KEEP COMING...

Twenty-nine new species of jumping spiders, all members of the subfamily Euophryinae, have been described by Wesolow- ska et al. (2014) from South Africa. This also includes the new genera Rumburak and Yimbulunga, and the first species of the genus Chinophrys recorded from the Afrotropical Region. The new species are:  Chinophrys trifasciata (♂) Western Cape  Euophrys bifida (♂♀) Eastern Cape  E. cochlea (♂♀) Western Cape  E. elizabethae (♂♀) Western Cape  E. falciger (♂♀) KwaZulu-Natal  E. gracilis (♂♀) Lesotho*, KwaZulu-Natal C. Haddad C. Haddad  E. limpopo (♂) Limpopo Thyenula alotama n. sp. Rumburak mirabilis n. sp.  E. meridionalis (♂♀) KwaZulu-Natal*, Free State  E. miranda (♀) Eastern Cape  E. nana (♂) Western Cape  E. recta (♂) Western Cape  E. subtilis (♂♀) KwaZulu-Natal  Rumburak bellus (♂) Western Cape  R. hilaris (♂♀) Eastern Cape*, Western Cape

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NEW PUBLICATIONS

DIMITROV, D., ASTRIN, J.J. & HUBER, B.A. 2013. Pholcid spider molecular systematics revisited, with new insights into the bio- geography and the evolution of the group. Cladistics 29: 132– 146. HADDAD, C.R. & WESOŁOWSKA, W. 2013. Additions to the jumping spider fauna of South Africa (Araneae: Salticidae). Genus 24: 459–501. HARVEY, M.S. & DU PREEZ, G. 2014. A new troglobitic ideoroncid pseudoscorpion (Pseudoscorpiones: Ideoroncidae) from southern Africa. Journal of Arachnology 42: 105–110. NEL, E., KELLY, J. & DIPPENAAR-SCHOEMAN, A.S. 2014.. Notes on the biology of the wasp, Chalybion spinolae (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae), an obligatory predator of Latrodec- tus (Araneae: Theridiidae) spiders in South Africa. Journal Natu- ral History DOI:10.1080/00222933.2013.877993 MAJER, M., SVENNING, J.-C. & BILDE, T. 2013. Habitat produc- tivity constrains the distribution of social spiders across conti- nents – case study of the genus Stegodyphus. Frontiers in Zool- Webb P. ogy 10: 9. MORADMAND, M., SCHÖNHOFER, A.L. & JÄGER, P. 2014. Mo- lecular phylogeny of the spider family Sparassidae with focus on the genus Eusparassus and notes on the RTA-clade and ‘Laterigradae’. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 74: 48– 65. Sparassidae Eusparassus jaegeri commonly found in Gauteng TEIXEIRA, R.A., CAMPOS, L.A. & LISE, A.A. 2014. Phylogeny of Aphantochilinae and Strophiinae sensu Simon (Araneae; Tho- misidae). Zoologica Scripta 43: 65–78. WESOŁOWSKA, W., AZARKINA, G. & RUSSELL-SMITH, A. 2014. Euophryine jumping spiders of the Afrotropical Region— new taxa and a checklist (Araneae: Salticidae: Euophryinae). Zootaxa 3789: 1–72.

LAST WORD

Practicing for the Olympics…….

Peter Webb