
Calommata transvaalica
Calommata transvaalica is a species of spider in the genus Calommata of the family Atypidae. It is endemic to South Africa, where it is commonly known as Transvaal's African purse-web spider.
From the article Calommata transvaalica on Wikipedia (CC BY-SA), quoted section by section
Description
Calommata transvaalica is known from both sexes. Like other members of the genus, it displays the characteristic features of Atypidae, including the distinctive burrow construction and the typical mygalomorph body plan with reduced first legs.
== References ==
Range & habitat
Calommata transvaalica is known from Gauteng and Limpopo provinces in South Africa. In Gauteng, it has been recorded from Hatfield (Pretoria), Roodeplaatdam Nature Reserve, Groenkloof Nature Reserve, and Zwartkoppies near Pretoria. In Limpopo, it occurs in the Blouberg Nature Reserve and the Soutpansberg mountains.
Wikipedia: “Distribution”
What it does
This species is a free-living burrow dweller found in both the Savanna and Grassland Biome of South Africa. Females were historically sampled by hand at Roodeplaat Dam near Pretoria, where their burrows were described as having an entrance slightly raised above the ground. From the inner rim, the burrow is neatly rounded off, gradually sloping outwards and downwards to ground level, with the outer surface covered with earth resembling the surroundings. The interior is lined with loose, highly adhesive silky webbing that may provide protection against intruders. The burrows reach depths of 22–25 cm. Males are collected in pitfall traps during spring and early summer (September to early December, October to January) during the mating season as they move around searching for females.
Wikipedia: “Habitat and ecology”
Where it lives
Recorded sightings
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geo-referenced records in GBIF, from museums, herbaria and field observers.
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In the stacks
Searching the stacks…
Every page naming Calommata transvaalica in the Biodiversity Heritage Library →
This page is assembled live from iNaturalist, GBIF, Wikipedia, the Source Library and the Internet Archive. It is not yet part of the hand-edited codex. iNaturalist taxon 654967.