| Kuruman Cydrela Burrowing spider | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Zodariidae |
| Genus: | Cydrela |
| Species: | C. spinifrons |
| Binomial name | |
| Cydrela spinifrons Hewitt, 1915 [1] | |
Cydrela spinifrons is a species of spider in the family Zodariidae. [2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Kuruman Cydrela Burrowing spider. [3]
Cydrela spinifrons is found across three South African provinces: Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Northern Cape. Key localities include Kuruman, Kruger National Park, and several nature reserves in the Soutpansberg region. [3]
The species occurs at altitudes ranging from 285 to 1558 m above sea level in the Grassland and Savanna biomes. Specimens have been collected using pitfall traps. [3]
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Female Cydrela spinifrons have a total length of 11 mm. The carapace and appendages are pale yellowish-brown. The opisthosoma is blackish-brown with distinctive pale markings including a shallow Λ-shaped band arranged transversely in the middle portion, followed by four somewhat indistinct transverse stripes. Laterally and inferiorly in the posterior half of the opisthosoma is a pale broad band that connects with the Λ-shaped mark on the dorsal surface and unites posteriorly just in front of the vent. [1]
The species is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide distribution. Although only known from females, it has a sufficiently broad geographical range. It is protected in five protected areas including Blouberg Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, and Benfontein Game Reserve. [3]
This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.