Abstract:
As part of the South African National Survey of Arachnida (SANSA) in conserved areas, arachnids
were collected in the De Hoop Nature Reserve in the Western Cape Province, South Africa. The
survey was carried out between 1999 and 2007, and consisted of five intensive surveys between
two and 12 days in duration. Arachnids were sampled in five broad habitat types, namely fynbos,
wetlands, i.e. De Hoop Vlei, Eucalyptus plantations at Potberg and Cupido’s Kraal, coastal dunes
near Koppie Alleen and the intertidal zone at Koppie Alleen. A total of 274 species representing
five orders, 65 families and 191 determined genera were collected, of which spiders (Araneae)
were the dominant taxon (252 spp., 174 genera, 53 families). The most species rich families
collected were the Salticidae (32 spp.), Thomisidae (26 spp.), Gnaphosidae (21 spp.), Araneidae (18
spp.), Theridiidae (16 spp.) and Corinnidae (15 spp.). Notes are provided on the most commonly
collected arachnids in each habitat.
