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Tyrotama Life
> Eukaryotes
>
Opisthokonta >
Metazoa
(animals) > Bilateria > Ecdysozoa > Panarthropoda > Tritocerebra >
Arthropoda > Arachnomorpha > Cheliceriformes > Chelicerata > Euchelicerata
> Arachnida > Araneae
> Araneomorpha > Family: Hersiliidae
Tyrotama is a small to medium (4.8-9.5mm body length)
rupicolus genus endemic to South Africa, Namibia and Angola. This genus was
until recently known as Tama. They occur in rocky or mountainous areas
under stone on rock. They attach themselves under the stone where they construct
a circular “kraal” retreat with silk trip lines radiating from it. This “kraal
and its egg sac is constructed from silk with embedded sand particles. The prey
is caught in the same fashion as the genus Hersilia but is taken to the
retreat to be consumed.
Species indigenous to southern Africa
Tyrotama abyssus
Endemic to the Western and Northern Cape from the Swartberg Nature reserve
to Carnavon.. |
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Tyrotama arida
Endemic to the Western Cape from the Beaufort West to Clanwilliam and the
Cedarberg. |
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Tyrotama australis
Endemic to the Eastern, Western and Northern Cape, Free State and
Kwazulu/Natal. |
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Tyrotama incerta
Endemic to the Northern Cape in the Nieuwoudtville area. |
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Tyrotama soutpansbergensis
Endemic to the Soutpansberg in Limpopo. |
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Tyrotama taris
Endemic to the Richtersveld in the Northern Cape. |
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