The area covered is South Africa (Fig. 1A), excluding the enclave of Lesotho and Eswatini. It includes the following nine Provinces: Eastern Cape (EC), Free State (FS), Gauteng (G), KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), Limpopo (L), Mpumalanga (M), Northern Cape (NC), North West (NW) and Western Cape (WC).

As part of SANSA, all available data were collated in a relational database maintained by the Agricultural Research Council (Dippenaar-Schoeman et al. 2012). This database is not publicly accessible, but the data retrieved from this database and used for this manuscript are available online in a tidy format (https://zenodo.org/record/8249595). These data were used to identify the gaps in the geographical coverage and guide the field surveys of phase II of SANSA, which were conducted using a standardised protocol (Haddad and Dippenaar-Schoeman 2015). All the specimens from postgraduate ecological surveys from 12 universities in South Africa were deposited in the National Collection of Arachnida (NCA) at the Agricultural Research Council in Pretoria as voucher specimens. Many specimens were also received from the public participating in SANSA surveys, including members of the Spider Club of Southern Africa and Reserve managers. A large number of specimens were collected during national and international projects included in unpublished studies, but included in SANSA newsletters. However, these newsletters went through an editorial process and most are available online (Suppl. material 1). Voucher specimens of sampled material were also deposited National Museum in Bloemfontein, Ditsong National Museum of Natural History in Pretoria and KwaZulu-Natal Museum in Pietermaritzburg.

The checklist is based on data extracted from the SANSA database and references to the taxonomic and more than 200 published/unpublished faunistic surveys up to the end of December 2022 (Suppl. material 1). Only spiders identified to species level are included. Families and species are arranged alphabetically. For each species, we provide:

Almost a third of South African species were described from 1900–1920 (739 spp.) (Fig. 1B), focusing largely on the fauna of the coastal provinces, as most practising arachnologists were stationed there. From 1960 to 1980, there was a considerable decline in the description of new species due to lack of practising taxonomists. However, during the last three decades there has been a resurgence; more than 700 species have been described since 1980, mainly due to new appointments, modern taxonomic revisions, the training of several South African taxonomists and the efforts of taxonomists overseas. Ongoing SANSA surveys continued contributing accessions at the NCA and specimen identifications have also contributed to a constant increase of new species records (Fig. 1B). The increase in taxonomic output since 1997 can partly be attributed to SANSA (Dippenaar-Schoeman et al. 2015).

Unfortunately, the original descriptions of many species described from 1700–1950 are often rudimentary, only from one sex, lacking detailed morphological data and without drawings or detailed collecting data. Most type specimens are also housed in overseas museums or are lost. One of the most significant constraints for SANSA is the lack of taxonomic revisions for many of the larger spider families in South Africa, with reference to Agelenidae, Araneidae, Dictynidae and Theridiidae. The number of South African species will inevitably increase, as many specimens housed in collections remain unidentified due to lack of taxonomic resolution.

With all the available data, SANSA has developed online photo identification guides for the 72 families to address the taxonomic constraints (Suppl. material 2). These guides list known information for all genera and species listed from South Africa. Species-level information includes a distribution map for South Africa, drawings (if available) and photographs of diagnostic characteristics, notes on their behaviour, a conservation assessment and possible threats. Complete guides can be downloaded from the World Spider Catalogue, as well as from Zenodo (https://zenodo.org/communities/sansa/) (for complete list see Suppl. material 2).

The number of families, genera and species for each of the nine provinces are listed in Table 2. KwaZulu-Natal has the highest number of known species (1024), followed by the Western Cape (908) and Limpopo Province (905), while North West had the least (344). Note: almost all the surveys without citations listed below, can be found in the grey literature, references and DOIs to these documents being included in Suppl. material 1 of the supplementary material.

Eastern Cape (Fig. 2A): The Eastern Cape becomes progressively wetter from west to east. The west is mostly semi-arid Karoo, except in the far south, where there is a temperate rainforest in the band between the Cape Fold Mountains and the Indian Ocean. The coast is generally rugged with interspersed beaches. Most of the Province is hilly to very mountainous to the west of East London and Queenstown and towards the KwaZulu-Natal border – a region known previously as Transkei – it is a lush grassland on rolling hills, punctuated by deep gorges with intermittent forest. A total of 837 species (137 endemic) have been recorded from the Province (Table 2).

Major surveys in this Province include: Addo Elephant National Park (Dippenaar-Schoeman et al. 2020); Amathole Mountains (Haddad et al. 2023); Asante Sana Private Game Reserve; Jeffreys Bay; Mkambati Nature Reserve (Dippenaar-Schoeman et al. 2011); Mountain Zebra National Park (Dippenaar-Schoeman 1988, 2006); Nduli and Luchaba Nature Reserves (Niba and Yekwayo 2016); Silaka Nature Reserve (Forbanka and Niba 2013); Thyspunt; Tsolwana Game Reserve.

Free State (Fig. 2B): The Free State is situated on the central escarpment and is comprised of a succession of flat grassy plains sprinkled with pastures and cultivated lands, resting on a general elevation of 1200 m, only broken by the occasional hill. The rich soil and pleasant climate allow for a thriving agricultural industry. It is known locally as the breadbasket of South Africa with more than 30,000 farms, which produce over 70% of the country’s grain.

The Free State is the third largest province (10.6%) and a total of 517 species (25 endemic) have been recorded here (Table 2).

Major surveys in the Province include: Amanzi Private Game Reserve (Haddad and Butler 2018); Farm Bankfontein, Luckhof District (Haddad 2021); Farm Deelhoek, Bloemfontein District (Haddad and Dippenaar-Schoeman 2002, 2006a; Haddad 2005); Farm Lusthof, Edenville District (Dippenaar-Schoeman et al. 1978); Erfenisdam Nature Reserve (Fourie et al. 2013; Haddad et al. 2015); Florisbad Research Station (Lotz et al. 1991); Free State National Botanical Gardens (Butler and Haddad 2011; Neethling and Haddad 2013, 2019; Haddad et al. 2019, 2021; Luwes and Haddad 2020); Golden Gate Highlands National Park (van der Merwe et al. 2020); Kalkfontein Dam Nature Reserve, and Mpetsane Conservancy.

Gauteng (Fig. 2C): This is the smallest province, covering only 1.4% of South Africa (Fig. 2C) and falls within both the Savannah and highly threatened Grassland Biome with approximately 83% of the Province falling within the Highveld Grassland vegetation type, of which a mere 0.8% is currently conserved in South Africa. A total of 563 spp. (11 endemic) have been recorded from this Province (Table 2).

Major surveys in this Province include: Bakwena Cave in Irene (Durand et al. 2012); Ezemvelo Nature Reserve; Faerie Glen Nature Reserve in Pretoria; Gauteng caves (Dippenaar-Schoeman and Myburgh 2009); Groenkloof Nature Reserve; Irene survey; Kliprivierberg Nature Reserve; Rietondale Research Station (Van den Berg and Dippenaar-Schoeman 1991); Roodeplaat Research Station (Dippenaar-Schoeman 1976; Roodeplaatdam Nature Reserve (Dippenaar-Schoeman et al. 1989; Engelbrecht 2013); Pretoria National Botanical Gardens; Serene Valley; Suikerbosrand Nature Reserve; Tswaing Crater Nature Reserve; and Waterkloof Nature Reserve.

KwaZulu-Natal (Fig. 2D): KwaZulu-Natal covers 7.6% of South Africa and harbours many vegetation types. Grassland predominates in the western interior of the Province, with savannah towards the east. Alpine vegetation occurs on the high Drakensberg Escarpment on the border with Lesotho. The Coastal Belt vegetation is regularly interrupted by large river systems, where a thicket-type vegetation is often present in the valleys. A total of 1034 species have been recorded, which constitutes 45.3% of the spiders of South Africa (Table 2). Dr. Reginald Lawrence, one of the best-known South African arachnologists, was stationed at the Natal Museum from 1935 to 1986 and he extensively sampled and described species from the Province.

Major surveys in the Province include: Buffelsdraai Landfill Conservancy; Howick, Farm Wakefield; Drakensberg; False Bay Park (Lovell et al. 2007); Hluhluwe Game Reserve (Mgobozi et al. 2008); Farm Vergeval, Pongola district (Dippenaar-Schoeman et al. 1978); iSimangaliso Wetland Park, various localities; Ithala Game Reserve; Kosi Bay Nature Reserve; Maputaland (Lawrence et al. 1980); Maluti-Drakensberg Transfrontier Project (MDTP); Midlands, Good Hope and Maybole plantation estates (Yekwayo et al. 2016, 2017); Midlands, Ncandu Falls, Moorfield Mountain Farm and Normandien Farms (Booysen and Haddad 2021); Ngome State Forest (Van der Merwe et al. 1996; Dippenaar-Schoeman et al. 2006); Ndumo Game Reserve (Haddad et al. 2006; Haddad 2016, 2022); Ophathe Game Reserve (Haddad and Dippenaar-Schoeman 2015); Vernon Crookes Nature Reserve; Phinda Game Reserve (Lovell et al. 2010); Richards Bay rehabilitated coastal forest (Dippenaar-Schoeman and Wassenaar 2002, 2006); Sani Pass altitudinal gradient; Sodwana Bay National Park; Tembe Elephant Park (Haddad et al. 2010); and uMkhuze Game Reserve (Lovell et al. 2007).

Limpopo (Fig. 2E): This Province covers 10.6% of South Africa. The vegetation ranges from Afromontane forests, savannahs, shrubland, to semi-desert areas with small trees and bushes. The landscape also ranges from mountainous to flat plains. The first surveys in the Province were undertaken during a five-year harvester termite control project (Dippenaar-Schoeman et al. 1978). Another large dataset became available during surveys looking at the effect of chemical control of quelea finches on the Springbok Flats.

A total of 905 species (55 endemic) is known from the Province (Table 2).

Major surveys in the Province include: Atherstone Game Reserve; Blouberg Nature Reserve (Muelelwa et al. 2010; Foord et al. 2019); Farm Amsterdam, Dendron District (Dippenaar-Schoeman et al. 1978); Farm Zandrivier, Lephalale District, Bioblitz; Ka-Ndengeza Village (Joseph et al. 2017; Foord et al. 2018); Klein Kariba Resort; Lekgalameetse Nature Reserve (Foord et al. 2016); Lephalale; Limpopo Valley; Luvhondo Nature Reserve (Foord et al. 2008); Makelali Nature Reserve (Whitmore et al. 2001, 2002); Marakele National Park; Nylsvley Nature Reserve (Heidger 1988; Dippenaar-Schoeman et al. 2009); Pietersburg Nature Reserve (Dippenaar et al. 2008); Rust de Winter cotton surveys (Dippenaar-Schoeman et al. 1999b); Soutpansberg long-term survey (Foord et al. 2002); Sovenga Hill (Modiba et al. 2005); Syferkuil research site; Venetia Limpopo Nature Reserve; Vhembe Biosphere Reserve; and Waterberg Biosphere.

Mpumalanga (Fig. 3A): Mpumalanga covers a total of 6.5% of South Africa’s surface. The province contains several distinct physiographic regions: the Highveld, a plateau ranging in elevation from 1200 to 1800 metres in the west; the forested Drakensberg Mountains rising to more than 2300 metres in the east; and the Lowveld, a bush-clad plain that slopes gently upward towards the Lebombo Mountains on the Mozambique and Eswatini borders to the east. Much of Mpumalanga is drained by eastward-flowing tributaries of the Limpopo River.

A total of 645 species (20 endemic) have been recorded from the Province (Table 2).

Major surveys in the Province include: Barberton Nature Reserve (Mwabvu and Yekwayo 2019; Mavasa et al. 2023); Delmas (Bt maize); Kruger National Park (Dippenaar-Schoeman and Leroy 2003; Jonsson et al. 2010; Robertson et al. 2011), Lowveld Botanical Gardens, Mariepskop (Taylor et al. 2020); Marble Hall (Bt cotton) (Mellet et al. 2006); Mbombela (avocado, macadamia, citrus) (Van den Berg et al. 1992; Dippenaar-Schoeman 1998; Dippenaar-Schoeman et al. 2001a, b; Dippenaar-Schoeman et al. 2005a); Steenkampsberg (Jansen et al. 2013); and Sterkspruit Nature Reserve (Mwabvu and Yekwayo 2019).

North West (Fig. 3C): This Province covers 9.5% of the surface of South Africa. Much of the Province consists of flat areas of scattered trees and grassland. The Magaliesberg mountain range in the north-east extends about 130 km from Pretoria to Rustenburg. The Vaal River flows along the southern border of the Province.

A total of 344 species (six endemic) are known from this Province (Table 2).

The only long-term survey (4 years) was undertaken in the Kgaswane Nature Reserve. Students at the North-West University and University of Johannesburg participated in agro-ecosystem surveys focusing on cotton near Brits and Bt maize near Potchefstroom (Botha et al. 2015). Other surveys were mainly funded by SANSA and the Spider Club: Barberspan Nature Reserve; Borakalala Nature Reserve; Pilanesberg National Park; and Zeerust.

Northern Cape (Fig. 3B): The Northern Cape is South Africa’s largest Province (29.7%). The Karoo Basin dominates this Province and consists mainly of sedimentary rocks and some dolerite intrusions. The south and south-east of the Province are high-lying, 1200–1900 metres, in the Roggeveld and Nuweveld Districts. The west coast is dominated by the Namaqualand region, famous for its spring flowers and Succulent Karoo vegetation. This area is hilly to mountainous and consists of granites and metamorphic rocks. The central areas are generally flat with interspersed salt pans. Kimberlite intrusions punctuate the Karoo rocks, giving the Province its most precious natural resource, diamonds. The north is primarily Kalahari Desert, characterised by parallel red sand dunes and acacia tree dry savannah.

In spite of being the largest province, only 559 species (62 endemic) have so far been recorded in this Province (Table 2).

Very few sites have been intensively sampled: Akkerendam Nature Reserve; Augrabies Falls National Park; Brand-se-Baai; Diamond Route Reserves (Benfontein, Dronfield, Rooipoort and Tswalu Game Reserves; Koingnaas; Namaqua National Park; Namaqua strip mining; Prieska pistachio orchards (Haddad et al. 2004, 2005; Haddad and Dippenaar-Schoeman 2005, 2006b; Haddad et al. 2009); Nigramoep; Richterveld National Park; Tankwa Karoo National Park; and Witsand Nature Reserve.

Western Cape (Fig. 3D): This Province covers 9.7% of the surface of South Africa. Spiders were included in the Cape Nature Western Cape State of Biodiversity 2012 report (Veldtman 2012), a first for South Africa.

A total of 938 spp. are known from the Province representing 41.1% of South African species. Major surveys include: Aardvark Nature Reserve; Beaufort West; Borrelfontein; Bontebok National Park; Cape Peninsula (Sharratt et al. 2000); Cape Floristic Region (Pryke and Samways 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012; Theron et al. 2020a, 2020b); Cape Winelands (Gaigher and Samways 2010, 2014; Geldenhuys et al. 2021, 2022); Coast to Karoo transect: Spiders of the Cederberg (Foord and Dippenaar-Schoeman 2016); De Hoop Nature Reserve (Haddad and Dippenaar-Schoeman 2009); Fernkloof Nature Reserve; Jonkershoek (Swart et al. 2017); Karoo National Park (Dippenaar-Schoeman et al. 1999a); Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden (Tucker 1920); Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve between Kogelberg and Protea survey (Coetzee et al. 1990; Visser et al. 1999; Yekwayo et al. 2018); Robben Island (Mukherjee et al. 2010; Roets and Pryke 2013; Cooper et al. 2017); Southern Cape Forest Complex (Swart et al. 2018, 2020); Swartberg National Park (Dippenaar-Schoeman et al. 2005b); Table Mountain National Park; Tierberg Long-Term Ecological Research site (Dean 1988; Dean and Milton 1995; Henschel and Lubin 2018); and Tierhoek Organic Farm (Arvidsson et al. 2020).

Many species recorded from South Africa (946 spp., 41.4%) are still only known from one sex. Only 1316 spp. (57.6%) are known from both sexes and 23 spp. were described from juveniles (Table 4), resulting in many species that are still Data Deficient.