Arandisa

Monotypic in that the genus contains only one species, Arandisa deserticola, a Namibian endemic. 10.8mm.

Carparachne (wheeling spider)

A Namibian endemic, which is psammophilous, occurring on sand dunes in arid areas very similar to Leucorchestris. Carparachne, known as the wheeling spider due to its habit of folding its legs and cart wheeling down sand dunes to escape predatory spider hunting wasps. Spiders in this genus are 18-24mm in length and are creamy yellow in colour. Carparachnes' burrow consists of a long narrow tube bound together with silk.

Eusparassus (Rock huntsman spider)

Eusparassus is probably the correct generic name for our rock living Olios  species. Presently the only  species in the genus is Eusparassus palystiformis, known from southern Africa.

Leucorchestris (white lady spiders)

Leucorchestris is a psammophilous genus occurring on sand dunes in arid areas. It is reported to be the largest sparassid in southern Africa but it does not appear to be larger than Palystes martinfilmeri. Originally thought to be a Namibian genus it has since been collected or photographed from Port Nolloth to Witsand Nature Reserve in the Northern Cape. Known commonly as white lady spiders one species is known to do a dance and is known as the Dancing white lady. The purpose of this dance is to communicate to other males or females by drumming the tarsae against the sand. The common name is referable to the colour of this genus. Wit dame and Dansende wit dame are the respective Afrikaans names. The retreat consists of a short wide silk bound burrow. 

Microrchestris

Microrchestris is a small 10-12mm Namibian endemic with two known species.

Olios

Olios is a group of smaller spiders are rupicolus living under rock on rock while others are green and are arboreal. The rupicolus species are light brown in colour and may in time be removed from Olios and placed in the genus Eusparassus. Olios it appears will be retained for the green arboreal species. 10-14mm. Olios retreats under rock and produces a flattish sac retreat and egg sac attached to the underside of a rock or stone. These spiders share a similar habitat to the flatties (Selenopidae).

Orchestrella

Orchestrella an endemic Namibian genus with two species. 10-18mm.

Palystella

Palystella is a Namibia endemic with four species contained in the genus. Size11-18mm

Palystes (rain spiders, lizard-eating spiders)

These spiders occur mainly on plants where they hunt predominantly insects but they also eat geckos. They are large spiders, often mistaken for baboon spiders, and frequently come indoors where they frighten people. They can bite but it is no more serious than a bee sting. Females of the two common species, Palystes castaneus and Palystes superciliosus, construct an egg case in a bush that is made of dead leaves and twigs drawn together with silk and with a white silk covering (see image to the right).

Panaretella (forest huntsman spiders)

Panaretella Is a genus of small spiders endemic to the forests from Grahamstown to northern Kwazulu-Natal. There are five species of forest huntsman spiders. The retreat is two leaves spun together with silk. 12-18mm

Parapalystes

Parapalystes is derived from the Greek para meaning near or close to the Latin palaestes or Greek palaistes, meaning wrestler. It is a near  endemic Cape genus as it occurs  in the Eastern, Northern and Western Cape and  also occurring at Oranjemund (Namibia). To the lay person Parapalystes can be separated from Palystes on colour and markings. It tends towards grey, has a yellowish clypeal moustache and dark folium marking on dorsal abdomen. Spiders reported by Croeser in Namaqualand and Larsen at Oranjemund and on the Cape Peninsula retreat into an inverted cup shaped nest. This retreat is produced by pulling desert plants or restios together. Where they meet the silken retreat is constructed. It was noted that a species photographed at St Helena (Western Cape), made a simple nest in a hole in a brick wall.

Pseudomicrommata

Pseudomicrommata is a monotypic genus with  only one species. The spiders are found in areas with Eragrotis where it constructs its nest.  Pseudomicrommata longipes is easily recognised by the medial dorsal band running the length of its body.

Rhitymna

Rhitymna is known from east Africa, Madagascar and Asia. One species has been collected in southern Africa.

Heteropoda

Heteropoda venatoria  a species with a pantropical distribution has been introduced to Mozambique and south Africa where it is sometime reported to take refuse in houses.