First records of Poltys monstrosus Simon, 1897 (Araneae: Araneidae) from South Africa

Poltys monstrosus Simon, 1897, a species described from Sierra Leone, has for the first time been reported from Mozambique, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and South Africa. The species is recognised by the abdomen that are thick and broadly flattened at the top. They are nocturnally active, building finely meshed orb webs at night and removing them around dawn. The general morphology of the species is discussed based on photographs of live specimens, with notes on their behaviour, distribution in South Africa, and conservation status.