Natal Tmarus Crab Spider

The female of Tmarus natalensis remains unknown, as the single female specimen mentioned in early literature was subsequently lost. The male has a total length of 5.5 mm, with a cephalothorax length of 2.5 mm and width of 2.2 mm. The carapace coloration ranges from fawn to dark brown, while the opisthosoma is dark brown with a white ventral surface marked by a dark broad median line. The legs are fawn-colored with black mottling. The carapace is slightly longer than wide, with an almost straight anterior eye row and a recurved posterior eye row.

Tmarus natalensis is widely distributed across South Africa, having been recorded from five provinces: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Western Cape, with records ranging from 4 to 1,345 metres above sea level. Specific localities include Amanzimtoti (the type locality), Richards Bay, Port Elizabeth, Coffee Bay, and various nature reserves and protected areas.

The species name natalensis refers to Natal, the former province of South Africa where the type specimen was collected.