| Steinkopf Igloo spider | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Zodariidae |
| Genus: | Diores |
| Species: | D. radulifer |
| Binomial name | |
| Diores radulifer Simon, 1910 [1] | |
Diores radulifer is a species of spider in the family Zodariidae. [2] It occurs in southern Africa and is commonly known as the Steinkopf Igloo spider. [3]
Diores radulifer is found in South Africa and Namibia. [2] In South Africa, it is known from the Northern Cape province, including Steinkopf where it was originally described. [3]
The species inhabits the Desert and Succulent Karoo biomes at altitudes ranging from 250 to 1169 metres above sea level. [3]
Males of Diores radulifer have a total length of 4.08 mm, while females range from 4 to 7 mm. The carapace, chelicerae, and legs are brownish-yellow, with the sternum being pale yellow. [4]
Males have a pale dorsal scutum flanked by narrow dark lateral stripes, with the remainder of the opisthosoma being yellow. Females have a yellowish-orange carapace and chelicerae, yellow legs and sternum, and the abdomen dorsally shows two large black longitudinal bands with sinuous margins. [4]
Diores radulifer are free-living ground-dwellers that construct igloo-shaped retreats with small stones, characteristic behavior of the genus Diores . [3]
The species is listed as Least Concern. Despite having a restricted distribution in South Africa, extensive areas of natural habitat remain within its range and it faces no threats. It is protected in Richtersveld National Park and Namaqua National Park. [3]
This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.