Galeosoma hirsutum
| Roodeplaat Shield-Bum Trapdoor Spider | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Mygalomorphae |
| Family: | Idiopidae |
| Genus: | Galeosoma |
| Species: | G. hirsutum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Galeosoma hirsutum Hewitt, 1916[1]
| |
Galeosoma hirsutum is a species of spider in the family Idiopidae.[2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Roodeplaat shield-bum trapdoor spider.[3]
Distribution
Galeosoma hirsutum is recorded from several localities in Gauteng Province, including Johannesburg, Pretoria, Roodeplaat, Groenkloof Nature Reserve, and other areas around the Pretoria metropolitan region.[3]
Habitat and ecology
The species constructs silk-lined burrows in soil with the entrance closed by a wafer-type trapdoor. It inhabits the Grassland biome at altitudes ranging from 1,127 to 1,601 m above sea level.[3]
Description
Galeosoma hirsutum is known only from females. The upper surface of the opisthosoma shield is decidedly convex with an oval outline. The posterior upper edge of the shield is fairly well-defined but not as strongly acute as in G. pallidum. The distinction between upper and marginal surfaces is well maintained all around, but the edge in front is not well marked. The marginal surface is deepest anteriorly and shallowest posteriorly, and is coarsely pitted. The shield is densely bearded throughout, more strongly so than in G. pallidum.[3]
Conservation
Galeosoma hirsutum is listed as Endangered due to its restricted range and ongoing threats from urban development throughout its distribution. The species is currently known from fewer than five extant locations and is threatened by urban development. Only subpopulations occurring within nature reserves are safe from development pressure.[3]
Taxonomy
The species was originally described by John Hewitt in 1916 from Roodeplaat in Gauteng Province.[1] The species has not been revised and remains known only from the female sex.[3]
References
- ^ a b Hewitt, J. (1916). "Descriptions of new South African spiders". Annals of the Transvaal Museum. 5: 180–213.
- ^ "Galeosoma hirsutum Hewitt, 1916". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 22 September 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2021). The Idiopidae of South Africa. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 17. doi:10.5281/zenodo.6324502. Retrieved 22 September 2025. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.