Biology:Diores poweri
| Power's Igloo Spider | |
|---|---|
| |
| Female | |
| |
| Female | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Zodariidae |
| Genus: | Diores |
| Species: | D. poweri
|
| Binomial name | |
| Diores poweri Tucker, 1920[1]
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Diores poweri is a species of spider in the family Zodariidae.[2] It occurs in southern Africa and is commonly known as Power's Igloo Spider.[3]
Distribution
Diores poweri is found in Lesotho and South Africa.[2] In South Africa, it has been recorded from seven provinces, making it one of the most widespread species in the genus. The species was originally described from Kimberley in the Northern Cape.[3]
Habitat
The species inhabits the Grassland, Savanna, and Nama Karoo biomes at altitudes ranging from 286 to 1780 metres above sea level.[3]
Description
-
female
Females of Diores poweri have a total length of 4.50 mm, while males measure 4.08 mm. The carapace, sternum, and legs are yellowish, with the anterior median eyes surrounded by black. The chelicerae are light orange. The opisthosoma has a broad pale stripe on a dark sepia background dorsally, with the sides and venter being pale. Males have similar coloration but with an abdominal scutum.[4]
Ecology
Diores poweri are free-living ground-dwellers that construct the characteristic igloo-shaped retreats typical of the genus Diores.[3]
Conservation
The species is listed as Least Concern due to its wide geographical range. It is protected in more than ten protected areas.[3]
References
- ↑ Tucker, R.W.E. (1920). "Contributions to the South African Arachnid Fauna. II. On some new South African spiders of the families Barychelidae, Dipluridae, Eresidae, Zodariidae, Heracliidae, Urocteidae, Clubionidae". Annals of the South African Museum 17: 439-488.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Diores poweri Tucker, 1920". World Spider Catalog. http://www.wsc.nmbe.ch/species/43429. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 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. pp. 73. doi:10.5281/zenodo.14404920. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14404920. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
- ↑ Jocqué, R. (1990). "A revision of the Afrotropical genus Diores (Araneae, Zodariidae)". Annales, Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Sciences zoologiques 260: 1-81.
Wikidata ☰ Q6473512 entry
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