THE GALLIENIELLIDAE OF SOUTH AFRICA
Abstract
The family Gallieniellidae is k nown from 10 genera and 68 species and were first
grouped with the Gnaphosidae. Only two genera Austrachelas Lawrence, 1938 and
Drassodella Hewitt, 1916 are known from South Africa. Both genera have recently
been revised.The ten species of the genus Austrachelas are endemic to South Africa.
Only two of the species have a wide distribution in South Africa. Three are known only
from one sex and therefore listed as Data Deficient for taxonomic reasons and three
are known only from the type locality. Only two species are of special concern. Austrachelas incertus Lawrence, 1938 have a small restricted distribution range and experiencing ongoing decline in habitat outside of protected areas it is therefore listed as
Vulnerable and Austrachelas wassenaari Haddad, Lyle, Bosselaers & Ramirez, 2009
have a small restricted distribution range it is listed as Rare.
The genus Drassodella Hewitt, 1916 is represented by 19 species, all endemic to South
Africa. Nine of the species are Data Deficient because only one sex is known or their
distribution is restricted to the type locality only. Six species have a wide distribution
and are Least Concern. Three species have a small restricted distribution and are
listed as Rare while one Drassodella tenebrosa Lawrence, 1938 qualifies for Endangered under Criterion B due to ongoing loss of habitat to urban expansion, crop cultivation and plantation forestry.
Dippenaar-Schoeman, A. S., Haddad, C. R., Mbo, Z., Foord, S. H. & Lotz, L. N. (2020y). The Gallieniellidae of South Africa. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide, Irene, 37 pp. doi:10.5281/zenodo.14065070