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Griswoldia Life
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Opisthokonta >
Metazoa
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Arthropoda > Arachnomorpha > Cheliceriformes > Chelicerata > Euchelicerata
> Arachnida > Araneae
> Araneomorpha > Family: Zoropsidae
Griswoldia (formally
Machadonia) occurs from the Soutpansberg (Limpopo) to the Cape Peninsula
(Western Cape). With Phanotea, it is the most common terrestrial
spiders in moist forested areas,. They are also found away from forests in
grassland along streams with fern and other cool vegetation providing the
required moist
conditions. The females have a body length of 5.8-13.3mm. The males show little
sexual dimorphism and are slightly smaller with longer legs. Griswoldia
can be recognised by the pale medial band on the carapace with darker lateral
bands similar to the lycosids. During the day it retreats under rock or logs
and will easily desiccate in dry habitats.
Griswoldia is a patronym in
honour of arachnologist
Dr
Charles Griswold.
Text by Norman Larsen
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