The first spider of the month (SOTM) for 2025 is this “soetdoring lynx spider” (Oxyopes sp.; Oxyopidae), found by Rudi Steenkamp (me) in Bloemfontein.
The genus Oxyopes is commonly known as grass lynx spiders, but I’ve only ever found this specific species, which is undescribed (like many Oxyopes spp.), in soetdoring trees (Vachellia karroo). It’s clear that this is an arboreal species, unlike the common name suggests. I haven’t photographed one of these spiders in a while, so I went searching for it, and after only one minute of beating a soetdoring tree, I found this one.
According to most sources, Oxyopes means “sharp eyed”, from the Greek oxús (sharp) and ṓps (eye). Other sources say that it means “quick footed”, from the Greek oxys (quick) and pezos (on foot). Either way, they’re both sharp eyed and quick footed. They often spot a person from a distance, and then go hopping like crazy to escape the “threat”. If jumping spiders have the record for farthest jump, Oxyopes would probably have the record for highest jump. These spiders have two modes of defence: hop around like crazy, or freeze, with their front legs raised.
There are 286 recorded Oxyopes species in the world. South Africa has only three genera: the green lynx spiders (Peucetia spp.), the crowned lynx spiders (Hamataliwa spp.), and the grass lynx spiders (Oxyopes spp.). The genus Oxyopes is in dire need of revision in South Africa. Most of our species were described by Swiss arachnologist Roger de Lessert about 100 years ago, and they have not been revised since. Currently, 26 species are known from South Africa, but I would not be surprised if we have more than 100 new or undescribed Oxyopes species.
The voting turnout was very low this month, most likely because the site was down for maintenance on the morning I posted the poll. Out of 137 people who voted, this spider received 95 (69%) votes. I lost my previous SOTM document when my hard drive crashed early in 2024, but I think this is my sixth SOTM.
Thanks to everyone who voted, and all the best for 2025!
