Diores auricula

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Zimbabwe Igloo spider
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Zodariidae
Genus: Diores
Species:
D. auricula
Binomial name
Diores auricula
Tucker, 1920 [1]

Diores auricula is a species of spider in the family Zodariidae. [2] It occurs in southern Africa and is commonly known as the Zimbabwe Igloo spider. [3]

Contents

Distribution

Diores auricula is found in Zimbabwe and South Africa. [2] In South Africa, it has been recorded from several localities in Limpopo province, including Kruger National Park and various nature reserves. [3]

Habitat

The species inhabits the Savanna biome at altitudes ranging from 238 to 1341 metres above sea level. It has been collected from protected areas including Kruger National Park, Blouberg Nature Reserve, and Malebogo Nature Reserve. [3]

Description

Females of Diores auricula have a total length of 4.60 mm, while males measure 3.77 mm. The carapace is dark yellow with the cephalic part slightly darker. The dorsal surface of the opisthosoma is sepia-colored with a long three-lobed testaceous patch centrally and two broad testaceous spots posteriorly. The venter is pale. Males have similar coloration but the dorsal pattern of the abdomen is usually less well-defined and they lack a scutum. [4]

Ecology

Diores auricula are free-living ground-dwellers that construct igloo-shaped retreats with small stones. They are associated with harvester termites and are nocturnal hunters. [3]

Conservation

The species is listed as Least Concern due to its wide geographical range. It is protected in several nature reserves and national parks. [3]

References

  1. ↑ 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. 1 2 "Diores auricula Tucker, 1920". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 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. p. 58. doi:10.5281/zenodo.14404920 . Retrieved 20 September 2025. Creative Commons by small.svg  This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
  4. ↑ Jocqué, R. (1990). "A revision of the Afrotropical genus Diores (Araneae, Zodariidae)". Annales, Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale, Sciences zoologiques. 260: 1–81.
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