Biology:Spiroctenus fossorius

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Short description: Species of spider

Port Elizabeth Spiroctenus Trapdoor Spider
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Mygalomorphae
Family: Bemmeridae
Genus: Spiroctenus
Species:
S. fossorius
Binomial name
Spiroctenus fossorius
(Pocock, 1900)
Synonyms
  • Raven, 1985 Pocock, 1900
  • Bessia fossorix Bessia fossoria
  • Bonnet, 1955 Spiroctenus fossorina

Spiroctenus fossorius is a species of spider in the family Bemmeridae. It is endemic to the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.[1]

Distribution

Spiroctenus fossorius is known only from the type locality at Port Elizabeth.[2]

Habitat

The species inhabits the Thicket Biome as a ground-dwelling burrow constructor.[2]

Description

Only females of Spiroctenus fossorius are known to science.[3] The labium and maxillae each bear approximately 20 cuspules. The paired tarsal claws have 3-4 teeth on both inner and outer margins. The posterior sternal sigilla are subcentral. The carapace and legs are pale reddish in color. The total length is 12 millimeters.[3]

Conservation

The species is listed as Data Deficient for taxonomic reasons, as males remain unknown and the full species range requires further study.[2]

References

  1. "Spiroctenus fossorius (Pocock, 1900)". World Spider Catalog. http://www.wsc.nmbe.ch/species/22348. Retrieved 19 September 2025. 
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 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.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Pocock, R.I. (1900). "Some new Arachnida from Cape Colony". Annals and Magazine of Natural History 6 (33): 316-333. 

Wikidata ☰ Q2226402 entry