Compiled by: A.S. Dippenaar-Schoeman, C.R. Haddad, S.H. Foord & L.N.
Lotz
South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide Euagridae 2022 version 2: 1-12
© Peter Webb
1
. THE EUAGRIDAE OF SOUTH AFRICA
Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.1 2, Haddad, C.R.3, Foord, S.H.2, & L.N.Lotz.4 2022. South ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide: The Euagridae of
South Africa version 2: 1-12. We thank the Agricultural Research Council (ARC) and the South African National
Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) Threatened Species Programme; the Universities of
1
ARC-Plant Health and Protection, Private Bag X134, Queenswood, Pretoria, 0121, South Africa the Free State, Venda and Pretoria; the National Research Foundation (NRF) for
2
Department of Zoology, University of Venda, Private Bag X5050, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa generously funding and support. The staff of the Arachnology section at the Na-
3
Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State, P.O. Box 339, Bloemfontein,
9300, South Africa
tional Collection of Arachnida (Connie Anderson, Petro Marais, Sma Mathebula,
Robin Lyle and Annette van den Berg), as well as several volunteers from the
public, are thanked for their assistance with the sorting and databasing of speci-
ABSTRACT mens collected during the SANSA surveys. Various students, members of the
public and the Spider Club of Southern Africa collected material for SANSA. We
The family Euagridae has a worldwide distribution and is represented by 12 genera also thank the South African National Parks and E. Oppenheimer & Son for sup-
and 81 species. The genera Allothele Tucker, 1920 and Euagrus Ausserer, 1875 repre- port and providing opportunity to collect in the parks and reserves as well as the
sented by five species are known from South Africa. The species of Allothele have a
provincial conservation agencies for collecting permits. We are especially thank-
wide distribution and are listed as Least Concern. The status of the single species Eu-
ful to all the photographers who provided photographs for the SANSA Virtual
agrus atropurpureus Purcell, 1903 remains obscure and maybe misplaced.
Museum without their contribution this guide would have not been possible.
.
FAMILY EUAGRIDAE …………………………………………………..…...…….3
GENUS ALLOTHELE Tucker, 1920 ………………………………………...….4
• Allothele australis (Purcell, 1903) ………………………………………..……..5
• Allothele caffer (Pocock, 1902) …………………………………………………..6
• Allothele malawi Coyle, 1984 ………………………………………………….….7
• Allothele teretis Tucker, 1920 ………………………………………………….….8
GENUS EUAGRUS Ausserer, 1875 …………………………………….…….9
• Euagrus atropurpureus Purcell, 1903 ………………………………………...10
REFERENCES ………………………………………………………………………..…...11-12
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South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide Euagridae 2022 version 2: 1-12
FAMILY EUAGRIDAE Raven 1979
The family Euagridae has a worldwide distribution and is represented by 12 genera and 81
species. From South Africa two genera and five species are known (Word Spider Catalog
2022). The genera were transferred from Dipluridae to Euagridae by Opatova et al. (2020).
COMMON NAMES: Euagridae Sheet-Web Spiders.
MORPHOLOGY: Body size: 16–22 mm, males more slender and slightly smaller than females.
Colour varies from orange-brown, purple-brown, dark grey or blackish brown. Carapace
hairy; cephalic region low and thoracic region elevated; eight eyes in compact group on eye
tubercle; chelicerae projecting anteriorly; rastellum absent; endites without cuspules; ster-
num longer than wide. Abdomen oval; hairy; posterior spinnerets long and tapering; termi-
nal segment not pseudo segmented; median spinnerets short and widely spaced. Legs slen-
der; scopulae absent; tarsi long and slender; leg I of males usually with mating spurs on the
tibiae and metatarsi. Cymbium of male palp bi-lobed and spinose.
LIFESTYLE: The Euagridae are ground dwellers, and construct their sheet-webs with a funnel
retreat close to the soil surface. The web consists of a flat, slightly concave, non-adhesive
silk sheet (40–60 cm wide) laid over the ground or any horizontal surface. The sheet is com-
posed of a mesh of silken threads suspended by oblique and vertical threads. The funnel
retreats usually extend under rocks and logs, but may also be built in abandoned animal
burrows. The web usually remains in the same place and is repaired and enlarged as the
spider grows. Males abandon their webs and search for mates during the wet summer Dorsal and ventral view of Allothele teretis from Opathe NR Photo ASD
months (Dippenaar-Schoeman 2002; 2014).
TAXONOMY: The Allothele genus was revised by Coyle (1984). Euagrus (only one sp.) rec-
orded from South Africa but possibly misplaced.
P. Webb
P. Webb
Eye pattern Photo ASD
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South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide Euagridae 2022 version 2: 1-12
GENUS ALLOTHELE Tucker, 1920
Allothele comprises a distinctive group of Euagridae spiders living in southern Africa. The
African genus is represented by five species of which four are known from South Africa
(Word Spider Catalog 2020).
COMMON NAMES: Allothele Sheet-Web Spider
TYPE SPECIES: Allothele caffer (Pocock, 1902)
MORPHOLOGY: Body size 8–12 mm. Colour medium to dark brown, carapace with radiating
stripes. Carapace with dense hair cover consisting of thin recumbent setae; eyes in compact
quadrangle, wider than long; fovea a deep transverse groove, usually recurved, with two
erect setae side-by-side in front of fovea; sigilla small, round and subequal in size; endites
and labium lack cuspules; cheliceral furrow with 9–14 medium-sized to large teeth on pro-
margin and 6–50 along proximal one-third on retrolateral side. Abdomen oval; hairy; medi-
an spinnerets short; unsegmented with distinct hirsute sclerite just anterior to base; posteri-
or spinnerets longer than carapace with terminal segment longer than basal or middle seg- Allothele malawi female Photo Peter Webb
ment. Leg III usually longer than I or II; males with a well-developed non-terminal mating
apophysis on tibia II with stout tooth-like apical and subapical spines. Palpal bulb of male
simple, pyriform with elongated, ridged embolus; females with setae-lined spermathecae.
LIFESTYLE: Very little is known about the behaviour and ecology of Allothele species. They
seem to be adapted to savanna and forest habitats with dry winters and rainy summer sea-
sons. They make sheet-webs with funnel-retreats partly (or wholly) sheltered in subterrane-
an cavities, under rocks, in rotten logs, in leaf litter or under bark. The males abandon their
webs in search of mates during the wet summer months. Allothele teretis typically builds a
sheet curtain-web in cool, shady places such as on tree trunks and in or across holes on
stream.
TAXONOMY: Revised by Coyle (1984).
Allothele sp. retreat Photo Liz Herholdt
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South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide Euagridae 2022 version 2: 1-12
Allothele australis (Purcell, 1903)
COMMON NAME: Eastern Cape's Sheet-Web Spider
CONSERVATION STATUS: LC
NATIONAL RATIONALE: A South African endemic described Purcell (1902) as Thelechoris
australis from Dunbrody in the Eastern Cape. Presently known from two provinces (EOO=
56 580 km2; AOO= 48 km2; 37-1652 m a.s.l.) and five protected areas. Although threatened
by loss of habitat for urbanization and farming activities in part of its range the species still
occupies a wide geographical range and the overall population has not yet decline signifi-
cantly, therefore listed as being of Least Concern.
LIFESTYLE: Lives in sheet-web with a funnel retreat, located beneath stones and in rock
crevices. Sampled from the Fynbos, Thicket and Savanna biomes.
GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION: South Africa.
Allothele australis female from Addo NP Photo Linda
DISTRIBUTION IN SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape: Addo Elephant National Park (-33.32, Wiese
25.72); Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve (-33.76, 24.81); Cookhouse (-32.75, 25.817); Gra-
hamstown Botanical Gardens (-33.3, 26.52); Dunbrody, Sundays River (-33.47, 25.55); Gra-
hamstown (Melrose House) (-33.33, 26.54); Line Drift (-33.068, 27.205); Mpofu Nature
Reserve (-32.606,26.597); Peddie (-33.196,27.116); Tsolwana Nature Reserve (-32.185,
26.502); Fairy Vale (-33.19, 26.37). Western Cape: Swartberg Nature Reserve (-33.36,
21.69); Somerset West (-34.081, 18.840).
CONSERVATION MEASURES: Protected in areas such as Addo Elephant National Park Left palp,after Coyle (1984)
(Dippenaar-Schoeman et al. 2020); Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve; Mpofu Nature Reserve;
Tsolwana Nature Reserve and Swartberg Nature Reserve (Dippenaar-Schoeman et al.
2005). The species is threatened by loss of habitat for infrastructure development around
Peddie, Grahamstown and Somerset West and crop farming in Cookhouse.
TAXONOMIC NOTES: Revised by Coyle (1984). Known from both sexes.
Spermathecae, dorsal view
after Coyle (1984)
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South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide Euagridae 2022 version 2: 1-12
Allothele caffer (Pocock, 1902)
COMMON NAME: Allothele Sheet-Web Spider
CONSERVATION STATUS: LC
NATIONAL RATIONALE: A South African endemic described by Pocock (1902) as Euagrus
caffer from Durban in KwaZulu-Natal. The species is recorded from three provinces, includ-
ing two protected area (EOO= 20 833 km2; AOO= 28 km2; 17-1316 m a.s.l.) and is suspected
to still be under sampled especially in the Eastern Cape. Due to its wide geographic range,
the species is listed as being of Least Concern.
LIFESTYLE: The species makes a sheet-web with a funnel retreat. It was sampled from the
Grassland and Savanna biomes (Foord et al. 2011; Haddad et al. 2013).
GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION: South Africa. Allothele caffer female Photo Les Oates
DISTRIBUTION IN SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape: Indwe, Lady Frere (-31.47, 27.35). KwaZulu
-Natal: Durban (-29.85, 31.01); Durban (Bluff) (-29.86, 31.05); Durban (Burman Bush)
(-29.85, 31.01); Umhlali (Chakas Rock) (-29.47, 31.22); Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve
(-29.7, 31.09); Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve (-30.16, 30.37).
CONSERVATION MEASURES: There are no significant threats to the species. It is protected
in the following areas: Umhlanga Lagoon Nature Reserve and Vernon Crookes Nature Re-
serve. No conservation actions are recommended.
TAXONOMIC NOTES: Revised by Coyle (1984) and known from both sexes.
After Coyle (1984)
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South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide Euagridae 2022 version 2: 1-12
Allothele malawi Coyle, 1984
COMMON NAME: Malawi Sheet-Web Spider
CONSERVATION STATUS: LC
NATIONAL RATIONALE: An African endemic described by Coyle (1984) from Malawi. In
South Africa, the species is recorded from three provinces including two protected area
(EOO= 63 064 km2; AOO=36 km2; 520-1519 m a.s.l.). Due to its wide geographical range, it
is listed as being of Least Concern.
LIFESTYLE: The species makes a sheet-webs with a funnel retreat. Allothele malawi was
sampled from Grassland and Savanna biomes (Foord et al. 2011; Haddad et al. 2013).
GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION: Malawi and South Africa.
DISTRIBUTION IN SOUTH AFRICA: Gauteng: Pretoria, Waverley (introduced) (-25.778,
28.253). Limpopo: Blouberg Nature Reserve (-22.99, 29.04); Kruger National Park (-22.93,
31.02); Lake Fundudzi (-22.86, 30.29); Little Leigh (Western Soutpansberg) (-22.95, 29.87);
Mukumbani Ivory Route (-22.88, 30.4); Tzaneen (-23.82, 30.16); Kruger National Park, Pun-
da Malia (-22.68, 31.01); New Agatha Forest (-24.03, 30.08). Mpumalanga: Sabie (Lone
Creek Falls) (-25.1, 30.78).
CONSERVATION MEASURES: There are no significant threats to the species. Protected in
three areas such as Blouberg Nature Reserve (Foord et al. 2019; Muelelwa et al. 2010);
Kruger National Park (Dippenaar-Schoeman & Leroy 2003; Dippenaar-Schoeman 2020) and
New Agatha Forest. No conservation actions are recommended.
TAXONOMIC NOTES: Known from both sexes (Coyle, 1984).
after Coyle (1984)
Allothele malawi female from Waverley Photo Peter
Webb
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South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide Euagridae 2022 version 2: 1-12
Allothele teretis Tucker, 1920
COMMON NAME: Common Allothele Sheet-Web Spider
CONSERVATION STATUS: LC
NATIONAL RATIONALE: A South African endemic described by Tucker (1920) from Mfon-
gosi near Ubombo, KwaZulu-Natal. It is known from two protected area (EOO= 68 881
km2; AOO= 60 km2; 223-2019 m a.s.l.). Due to the wide geographical range the species is
therefore listed as being of Least Concern.
LIFESTYLE: They build a curtain-like sheet-web in cool, shady places such as tree trunks
and holes on stream banks. The species is sampled from Forest, Grassland and Savanna
Biomes (Foord et al. .2011; Haddad et al. 2013). Allothele teretis female Photo Charles Haddad
GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION: South Africa.
DISTRIBUTION IN SOUTH AFRICA: KwaZulu-Natal: Estcourt (-29.03, 29.85); Estcourt (10
km SE, Griffins Hill) (-29, 29.87); Keate's Drift near Mpofana (-28.85, 30.5); Kranskop
(-28.97, 30.86); Tugela River near Middledrift (-32.82, 26.98); Mfongosi near Ubombo
(-27.28, 32.15); Mhlopeni Nature Reserve (-28.96, 30.39); Muden (-28.96, 30.39); Ophathe
Game Reserve (-28.52; 31.66); Weenen Nature Reserve (-28.84, 30.07); Winterton (15 km
NW Spioenkop Nature Reserve) (-28.81, 29.53); Dundee Mpofana near Dundee (-28.161,
30.222).
CONSERVATION MEASURES: The species is threatened by loss of habitat for crop farming
around Estcourt and Weenen, but vast areas of suitable habitat remain within its range, Spermathecae, dorsal view
the overall population is not suspected to be significantly declining. The species is also after Coyle (1984)
protected in the Mhlopeni Nature Reserve and Ophathe Game Reserve (Haddad & Dip-
penaar-Schoeman 2015). No conservation actions are recommended.
TAXONOMIC NOTES: Revised by Coyle (1984) and known from both sexes. Allothele teretis female Photo ASD
Palp and leg 1 Photo ASD
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South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide Euagridae 2022 version 2: 1-12
GENUS EUAGRUS Ausserer, 1875
The genus Euagrus Ausserer, 1875 is represented by 22 species known from Mexico and
Taiwan but the one known from South Africa is possibly misplaced (Word Spider Catalog
2020).
COMMON NAMES: Sheet-Web Spider
TYPE SPECIES: Euagrus mexicanus Ausserer, 1875
MORPHOLOGY: Endites without cuspules; sternum longer than wide; cymbium of male
palp bilobed and spinose; posterior spinnerets long and tapering but terminal segment not
pseudosegmented.
LIFESTYLE: Unknown.
TAXONOMY: The single species recorded from South Africa is possibly misplaced.
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South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide Euagridae 2022 version 2: 1-12
Euagrus atropurpureus Purcell, 1903
COMMON NAME: Prince Albert's Sheet-Web Spider
CONSERVATION STATUS: DDT
NATIONAL RATIONALE: A Western Cape Province endemic described by Purcell (1903)
from the type locality Prince Albert (EOO<500 km; AOO= 4 km2; 614 m a.s.l.). The status
of the species remains obscure. Some more sampling is needed to collect the male and to
determine the species range. Therefore, listed as Data Deficient for taxonomic reasons.
LIFESTYLE: Sampled from Nama Karoo Biome.
GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION: South Africa.
DISTRIBUTION IN SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape: Prince Albert (-33.22, 22.03).
CONSERVATION MEASURES: Species possibly misplaced.
TAXONOMIC NOTES: Not revised, known only from female.
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South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide Euagridae 2022 version 2: 1-12
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South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide Euagridae 2022 version 2: 1-12
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