Rotundrela orbiculata
| Cederberg Rotundrela zodariid spider | |
|---|---|
Rare
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Zodariidae |
| Genus: | Rotundrela |
| Species: | R. orbiculata
|
| Binomial name | |
| Rotundrela orbiculata Jocqué, 1999[1]
| |
Rotundrela orbiculata is a species of spider in the family Zodariidae.[2] It is endemic to the Western Cape province of South Africa and is commonly known as the Cederberg Rotundrela zodariid spider.[3]
Distribution
Rotundrela orbiculata is found in the Cederberg region of the Western Cape, with records from Cederberg Wilderness Area, Clanwilliam, and Pakhuis Pass.[3]
Habitat
The species inhabits the Fynbos biome at altitudes ranging from 78 to 1,530 m above sea level.[3]
Description
Both sexes of Rotundrela orbiculata are known. Males have a total length of 5.40 mm with a reddish brown carapace and orange chelicerae. The abdomen displays a pale pattern on a dark background with distinctive kidney-shaped patches and rounded spots. Females reach 6.24 mm in total length with an orange carapace and sternum that have dark rims.[1]
Ecology
Rotundrela orbiculata are free-running ground-dwelling spiders that are collected from litter and occasionally with pitfall traps.[3]
Conservation
The species is considered Rare due to its small restricted distribution range. It receives protection in the Cederberg Wilderness Area.[3]
References
- ^ a b Jocqué, R. (1999). "The new genera Procydrela and Rotundrela, sister taxa for Storenomorphinae and Cydrelinae (Araneae: Zodariidae)". Entomologica Scandinavica. 30 (2): 235. doi:10.1163/187631200X00264.
- ^ "Rotundrela orbiculata Jocqué, 1999". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
- ^ a b c d e Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Jocqué, R.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2024). The Zodariidae of South Africa. Part 2 (H-T) version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 36. doi:10.5281/zenodo.14568995. Retrieved 20 September 2025. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.