Cydrela spinifrons
| Kuruman Cydrela Burrowing spider | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Zodariidae |
| Genus: | Cydrela |
| Species: | C. spinifrons
|
| Binomial name | |
| Cydrela spinifrons Hewitt, 1915[1]
| |
Cydrela spinifrons is a species of spider in the family Zodariidae.[2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Kuruman Cydrela Burrowing spider.[3]
Distribution
Cydrela spinifrons is found across three South African provinces: Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Northern Cape. Key localities include Kuruman, Kruger National Park, and several nature reserves in the Soutpansberg region.[3]
Habitat
The species occurs at altitudes ranging from 285 to 1558 m above sea level in the Grassland and Savanna biomes. Specimens have been collected using pitfall traps.[3]
Description
Female Cydrela spinifrons have a total length of 11 mm. The carapace and appendages are pale yellowish-brown. The opisthosoma is blackish-brown with distinctive pale markings including a shallow Λ-shaped band arranged transversely in the middle portion, followed by four somewhat indistinct transverse stripes. Laterally and inferiorly in the posterior half of the opisthosoma is a pale broad band that connects with the Λ-shaped mark on the dorsal surface and unites posteriorly just in front of the vent.[1]
Conservation
The species is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide distribution. Although only known from females, it has a sufficiently broad geographical range. It is protected in five protected areas including Blouberg Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, and Benfontein Game Reserve.[3]
References
- ^ a b Hewitt, J. (1915). "Descriptions of new South African Arachnida". Records of the Albany Museum Grahamstown. 3: 70–106.
- ^ "Cydrela spinifrons Hewitt, 1915". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
- ^ a b c d Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Jocqué, R.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2024). The Zodariidae of South Africa. Part 1 (A-D) version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 49. doi:10.5281/zenodo.14404920. Retrieved 21 September 2025. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.