Oxyopes singularis

Zaire Lynx Spider
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Oxyopidae
Genus: Oxyopes
Species:
O. singularis
Binomial name
Oxyopes singularis
Lessert, 1927

Oxyopes singularis is a species of spider in the family Oxyopidae. It is commonly known as the Zaire lynx spider.

The species' syntypes, consisting of one male and one female specimen, are held by the Natural History Museum of Geneva.

Distribution

Oxyopes singularis occurs in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. In South Africa, the species is known from two provinces at altitudes ranging from 140 to 582 m above sea level.

Habitat and ecology

The species has been found on grasses in the Savanna biome. Due to its limited collection records in South Africa, more research is needed to fully understand its habitat preferences.

Description

Oxyopes singularis is known from both sexes. The species is characterized by a black-brown opisthosoma with varied testaceous coloring and a white longitudinal center line above.

Conservation

Oxyopes singularis is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide geographic range across multiple African countries. The species is protected in Ndumo Game Reserve and Venetia Limpopo Valley Reserve.

References

  1. ↑ Lessert, R. de (1927). "Araignées du Congo (Premiere partie)". Revue Suisse de Zoologie. 34: 416.
  2. 1 2 "Oxyopes singularis Lessert, 1927". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2020). The Oxyopidae of South Africa. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 34. doi:10.5281/zenodo.6450695. Retrieved 21 September 2025. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
  4. ↑ "Oxyopes singularis Lessert, 1927". World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum of Bern. Retrieved 2 September 2026.