Spiroctenus coeruleus
| Pietermaritzburg Spiroctenus Trapdoor Spider | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Mygalomorphae |
| Family: | Bemmeridae |
| Genus: | Spiroctenus |
| Species: | S. coeruleus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Spiroctenus coeruleus Lawrence, 1952
| |
Spiroctenus coeruleus is a species of spider in the family Bemmeridae. It is endemic to KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.[1]
Distribution
Spiroctenus coeruleus has been recorded from Pietermaritzburg and Ndumo Game Reserve.[2]
Habitat
The species inhabits the Savanna Biome as a ground-dwelling burrow constructor.[2]
Description
Only males of Spiroctenus coeruleus are known to science.[3] The cephalothorax and appendages appear slate blue due to a fine coating of powdery substance. The opisthosoma is pale brown above with small symmetrical darker markings, and yellow-brown below. The total length is 15 millimeters.[3]
Conservation
The species is listed as Data Deficient for taxonomic reasons, as females remain unknown and the full species range requires further study.[2]
References
- ^ "Spiroctenus coeruleus Lawrence, 1952". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ^ a b c Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2021). The Bemmeridae of South Africa. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. Irene. pp. 1–41. doi:10.5281/zenodo.7810486. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
- ^ a b Lawrence, R.F. (1952). "New spiders from the eastern half of South Africa". Annals of the Natal Museum. 12: 183–226.