anyone know south african spiders?

[magda101]

Hi there,
we rescued a spider from someone's back yard and after a month or so we finally got an ID, thing is she seems kind of rare and most people I talk to didn't even know they existed around SA. I need to get in touch with an expert on the matter, anybody know where I can get in touch with an expert?

Kind regards,
Magda101

[Westley Price]

No idea on who you can contact, but how about sharing with us what species the spider is and some photos?

We have a few knowledgeable guys on the forum who should be able to help out.

[magda101]

Hi Westley,
I gave a full description at the following link...

http://www.ispot.org.za/node/282858

Kind regards,
Magda101

[Mehelya]

Looks like a Rain Spider, Palystes species. Most likely Palystes superciliocus. Harmless, hunts geckos and other small invertebrates. Fast, can bite, but generally of no medical importance whatsoever.

[Westley Price]

Spiders are notoriously difficult to ID, for me at least, so I cannot confirm nor deny your ID.

This specimen looks like it was due to moult, making the ID even more difficult with the bald spot on his "head."

To me it also looks like some sort of Rain spider or Huntsman.

[reptile]

Yeah, I agree with Westley, it does look a bit like a rain spider, the type we have here always has the bold black spot on top.

[magda101]

Hey guys, I am currently corresponding with Ansie Dippenaar, the author of field guide to the spiders of South Africa and she identified it as ctenidae aka. Tropical wolf spider, although there is not yet a specific species ID.
Thank for your input and help, it is greatly appreciated

[Ceratogyrus]

Sorry I didn't see this earlier.
But definately a tropical wolf spider (Ctrenidae). Quite common in Northern Gauteng/Limpopo