Robust Grass Jumping Spider
TaxonFestucula robusta
AuthorityAzarkina & Foord, 2014[1]

Festucula robusta is a species of spider in the family Salticidae.[2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as robust grass jumping spider.[3]

Distribution

Festucula robusta is found in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces in South Africa[3]

Habitat and ecology

Festucula robusta inhabits Grassland and Savanna biomes at altitudes ranging from 296 to 1114 m.[3]

The species was sampled from grasses.[3]

Description

Compared to other Festucula species, F. robusta is larger in body size.[3]

Conservation

Festucula robusta is listed as Data Deficient by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its small range. Only one other record from KwaZulu-Natal is known. The status of the species remains obscure and some more sampling is needed to determine its range.[3]

Taxonomy

Festucula robusta was described by Azarkina and Foord in 2014 from Kromdraai, Krugersdorp in Gauteng.[1]

References

  1. ^ Azarkina, G.N. & Foord, S.H. (2014). "A revision of the Afrotropical species of Festucula Simon, 1901 (Araneae: Salticidae)". African Invertebrates. 55 (2): 351-375. doi:10.5733/afin.055.0201
  2. ^ "Festucula robusta Azarkina & Foord, 2014". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
  3. ^ Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Van der Walt, V.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2025). The Salticidae of South Africa. Part 2 (E-Ha). Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 42. doi:10.5281/zenodo.15266589