Seothyra perelegans is a species of spider in the family Eresidae. It is endemic to South Africa.
Distribution Seothyra perelegans is endemic to South Africa. The species is recorded from two provinces: Eastern Cape and Free State, with locations including Willowmore and Bothaville.
Habitat and ecology The species has been sampled from Grassland and Nama Karoo biomes at altitudes ranging from 815 to 1,291 m above sea level.
The species constructs burrow retreat-webs consisting of a silk-lined burrow. Males wander in search of mates.
Description Seothyra perelegans Is a species of velvet spider in the family Eresidae. Only the male spider has been described as the female remains unknown. The spider is small, like other members of the genus Seothyra, robust, ground dwelling spider with dense body setae and cribellate silk producing organs. The spider's morphology, distinguishes it from other members of the genus, as the male palpal organ, that provides the main diagnostic characters used for its identification.
Conservation Seothyra perelegans is listed as Data Deficient for taxonomic reasons. The species has a restricted distribution. More sampling is needed to collect the female and more accurately determine the species' range.
Taxonomy The species was originally described by Eugène Simon in 1906 from Bothaville. It was revised by Dippenaar-Schoeman in 1991.
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