| Taxon | Heliophanus deformis |
|---|---|
| Authority | Wesołowska, 1986[1] |
Heliophanus deformis is a species of jumping spider in the family Salticidae.[2] It is found in Angola and South Africa and is commonly known as the rusty Heliophanus sunny jumping spider.[3]
Distribution
Heliophanus deformis is found in Angola and South Africa.[2] Within South Africa, the species is only known from Northern Cape Province, specifically from Namaqua National Park and Richtersveld National Park.[3]
Habitat and ecology
This species is a free-living plant-dweller sampled by beating karooid bushes and trees.[3]
Description
The female has a reddish fawn background with typical spots on the abdomen.[3]
Conservation
Heliophanus deformis is listed as of Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its large distribution range.[3] There are no known threats to the species.[3] In South Africa, it is protected in Namaqua National Park and Richtersveld National Park.[3]
Taxonomy
Heliophanus deformis was originally described by Wesołowska in 1986 from Angola.[1] It was reported from South Africa for the first time by Haddad and Wesołowska in 2024.[4] The species is known from both sexes.[3]
References
- ^ Wesołowska, W. (1986). "A revision of the genus Heliophanus C. L. Koch, 1833 (Aranei: Salticidae)". Annales Zoologici, Warszawa. 40: 1–254.
- ^ "Heliophanus deformis Wesołowska, 1986". World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern. doi:10.24436/2. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
- ^ Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Walt, V. van der; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2025). The Salticidae of South Africa. Part 3 (He-Iran). Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 41. doi:10.5281/zenodo.17103454
- ^ Haddad, C.R. & Wesołowska, W. (2024). "On some new and poorly-known Chrysillini from arid western South Africa (Araneae, Salticidae)". African Invertebrates. 65 (2): 127–159. Bibcode:2024AfrIn..65..127H. doi:10.3897/AfrInvertebr.65.136083