Pherecydes tuberculatus

Pherecydes tuberculatus

Part of the family of Crab spiders (Thomisidae), members of the Pherecydes genus are recognised by the two lateral eyes situated on a common elongated area that is widely truncated at the top. They are plant dwellers that do not spin a web and are found beneath vegetation and ground debris when not active. They are mainly active during the day and their gait is sideways or crablike, hence their common name.
Crab spider from another planet By far the strangest spider I have ever seen. Not the best photo as this tiny little thing kept hiding from me. Front view: http://www.jungledragon.com/image/29839/weird_spider2.html Fall,Geotagged,Pherecydes tuberculatus,South Africa,Thomisidae,arachnids,crab spiders,south africa,spiders

Appearance

3-5mm, carapace is darker brown, mottled and suffused with yellowish-white, sternum is very dark. Abdomen dull greyish-white, speckled with dark brown. Legs pale yellow, marked and speckled with dark brown. All legs have dark brown bands.
Alien crab spider Again not the best photo, but you had to see those eyes...ET on acid!!! http://www.jungledragon.com/image/29838/crab_spider_from_another_planet.html Fall,Geotagged,Pherecydes tuberculatus,South Africa,Thomisidae,arachnids,crab spiders,south africa,spiders

Naming

O.P. Cambridge 1883

Distribution

Southern coastal regions of South Africa, possibly elsewhere also

Behavior

They have lost their agility as spiders and have become semi-sedentary to excel as ambushers. With their cryptic colouration most species await their prey, usulally on plants. They are mainly active during the day.

Habitat

Vegetation

Food

Insects

References:

Some text fragments are auto parsed from Wikipedia.

Field Guide to the Spiders of South Africa - Ansie Dippenaar-Schoeman. LAPA publishers 2014
Taxonomy
KingdomAnimalia
DivisionArthropoda
ClassArachnida
OrderAraneae
FamilyThomisidae
GenusPherecydes
SpeciesPherecydes tuberculatus
Photographed in
South Africa