Asemesthes modestus

Asemesthes modestus is a species of spider in the family Gnaphosidae.^[2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Makapan Asemesthes ground spider.^[3]

Makapan Asemesthes Ground Spider
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Infraorder:	Araneomorphae
Family:	Gnaphosidae
Genus:	Asemesthes
Species:	A. modestus
Binomial name
Asemesthes modestus Dalmas, 1921[1]

Distribution

Asemesthes modestus is known only from its type locality at Makapan in Limpopo province at an altitude of 1,417 m above sea level.^[3]

Habitat and ecology

The species is a free-living ground dweller found in the Savanna biome.^[3]

Description

See also: Glossary of spider terms

Asemesthes modestus is known only from the male.^[3]

Conservation

Asemesthes modestus is listed as Data Deficient due to taxonomic reasons, as too little is known about the location, habitat and threats to this taxon for an assessment to be made. Placement of the species is also problematic. More sampling is needed to collect the female and determine the species' range.^[3]

Taxonomy

The species was originally described by R. de Dalmas in 1921 from Makapan in Limpopo.^[1] It has not been revised since its original description and no additional collecting has been undertaken.^[3]