Biology:Spiroctenus punctatus
| Zululand Spiroctenus Trapdoor Spider | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Mygalomorphae |
| Family: | Bemmeridae |
| Genus: | Spiroctenus |
| Species: | S. punctatus
|
| Binomial name | |
| Spiroctenus punctatus Hewitt, 1916
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Spiroctenus punctatus is a species of spider in the family Bemmeridae. It is endemic to KwaZulu-Natal province of South Africa.[1]
Distribution
Spiroctenus punctatus was originally described with the type locality given only as Zululand, but has been recollected from Ngome State Forest.[2]
Habitat
The species inhabits the Savanna Biome as a ground-dwelling burrow constructor.[2] Specimens from Ngome State Forest were collected in pitfall traps.
Description
Only females of Spiroctenus punctatus are known to science.[3] The carapace, chelicerae, and femora of pedipalps and legs are dark olive-brown, while the patellae and more distal segments of palps and legs are paler. The opisthosoma is dark above with numerous small pale spots of irregular size. The cheliceral furrow has 11-12 promarginal teeth and six denticles. The labium bears 31 cuspules. The total length is 16 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
- ↑ "Spiroctenus punctatus Hewitt, 1916". World Spider Catalog. http://www.wsc.nmbe.ch/species/22364. Retrieved 19 September 2025.
- ↑ 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.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Hewitt, J. (1916). "Descriptions of several species of Arachnida in the collection of the Durban Mus". Annales of the Durban Museum 1: 217-227.
Wikidata ☰ Q2785980 entry
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