Scorpiones, Solifugae and Araneae of the Matobo World Heritage Site, Zimbabwe

Study Extent

Data on Arachnids recorded from the Matobo World Heritage Site were collated from specimen records in the Natural History Museum of Zimbabwe, Arachnology Collection. Collection points include ad hoc collection as well as weekly collection from five habitat for 18mths during 2004 and 2005, and three connective years 2015-2018.

Sampling

Pitfalls, beating trays and sweep nets where used to collect the samples, which were then identified to the lowest possible taxonomic rank using the available keys and reference material.

Method steps

1. The records where digitized into Microsoft Excel (2010) database and the records where cleaned using OPEN REFINE Data cleaning tool (Version 2.5). Taxonomic ranks, status and authorship were also verified using The World Spider Catalog (2018), Encyclopedia of Life (EOL) database, The Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF) name parser (2011) and The Global Names Index database where possible.

Scorpions, Solifugae and Spiders identified to genus and species are used to develop this checklist

1. Scorpiones
   common name: Scorpions rank: order
2. Solifugae
   common name: Romans rank: order
3. Araneae
   common name: Spiders rank: order

Matobo Hills was nominated as a cultural landscape and inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in June 2003 under the 1972 Convention on the Protection of the World’s Cultural and Natural Heritage. The Matobo Hills are located in the Matabeleland South Province, in south western Zimbabwe. The landscape extends from 28.00’ to 29.00’ E and 20.25’ to 20.45’ S. This cultural landscape forms part of the granite complex, which stretches from the Mhlangu and Mangwe rivers, near Plumtree in the west, and merges with the Mbalabala granite pluton in the east. The spatial extent of the Matobo Hills is 2 050 km2, surrounded by a buffer zone that covers 1 050 km2. The total area of the World Heritage Landscape is therefore 3 100 km2. The boundaries of the Matobo Hills were defined using both natural and artificial features. It is bound on the north by the Khumalo and Matobo communal areas, as well as the Maleme, Umzingwane and Nsezi Rivers. The western extent is defined by the Shashani River, while part of the Matobo Communal Lands, the Lumane River and an established gravel road mark the eastern boundary. Steep escarpments delimit the southern and eastern edges to the Matobo Hills, where a sharp transition occurs to more open landscapes, and the nearly continuous frontier of rugged hills falls away abruptly to open savanna. Properties that fall within the confines of the Matobo Hills are Matobo National Park, Lake Matopos Recreational Park and part of the Rhodes Matopos Estate. Parts of Gulati, Khumalo, Mzinyatini and Nswazi Communal Areas and some commercial farms administered by Matobo Rural District Council are also included.