Setaphis browni

Setaphis browni is a species of spider in the family Gnaphosidae.^[2] It has a very wide distribution throughout Africa to northern Pakistan and India.^[3]

Setaphis browni
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Infraorder:	Araneomorphae
Family:	Gnaphosidae
Genus:	Setaphis
Species:	S. browni
Binomial name
Setaphis browni (Tucker, 1923)[1]
Synonyms
Camillina browni Tucker, 1923 Liodrassus mandae Tikader & Gajbe, 1977 Nodocion mandae Brignoli, 1983

Distribution

Setaphis browni is found from southern and central Africa to northern Pakistan and India.^[2]

In South Africa, it is widespread through seven provinces, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Northern Cape, North West, Mpumalanga, and Western Cape. Notable locations include Fauresmith, National Botanical Gardens in Bloemfontein, Ndumo Game Reserve, Kruger National Park, and Swartberg Nature Reserve.^[3]

Habitat and ecology

The species is a free-running ground dweller found at altitudes ranging from 62 to 1,516 m above sea level. It has been sampled from Grassland, Nama Karoo, Savanna, and Thicket biomes, as well as from cotton and pistachio orchards.^[3]

Description

See also: Glossary of spider terms

Conservation

Setaphis browni is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide range.^[3] The species is protected in more than ten protected areas and faces no significant threats.

Taxonomy

Setaphis browni was originally described by Tucker in 1923 as Camillina browni from Vryburg in South Africa. It has undergone several taxonomic changes and is known from both sexes.^[3]