Thanatus africanus is a species of spider in the family Philodromidae. It is commonly known as the African ground running spider.
Etymology
Distribution Thanatus africanus is known from Tanzania (Zanzibar) and South Africa. In South Africa, it was sampled from Limpopo Province at altitudes of 182-1431 m above sea level.
Habitat and ecology These are spiders sampled from grass in the Savanna biome.
Description
Conservation Thanatus africanus is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide geographical range. The species is protected in the Nylsvley Nature Reserve.
Taxonomy The species was originally described by Karsch (1878) from Tanzania (Zanzibar). The African species have not been revised and the species is known from both sexes.
References