| Russell's Igloo spider | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Male | |
 | |
| Male | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Zodariidae |
| Genus: | Diores |
| Species: | D. russelli |
| Binomial name | |
| Diores russelli Jocqué, 1990 [1] | |
Diores russelli is a species of spider in the family Zodariidae. [2] It occurs in southern Africa and is commonly known as Russell's Igloo spider. [3]
Diores russelli is found in Botswana and South Africa. [2] In South Africa, it has been recorded from the Free State province at Wyndford Guest Farm near Fouriesburg. [3]
The species inhabits the Grassland biome at approximately 1601 metres above sea level. [3]
Males of Diores russelli have a total length of 3.17 mm, while females measure 4.29 mm. The carapace is yellow with a black eye field and is slightly suffused with grey on the clypeus. The sternum is pale yellow, and the chelicerae and legs are yellow. The opisthosoma is pale sepia with a pale yellow scutum in the anterior half of the dorsum, followed by two sepia longitudinal bands with sinuous edges. Females have similar coloration but lack the dorsal scutum. [1]
Diores russelli are free-living ground-dwellers that construct the characteristic igloo-shaped retreats typical of the genus Diores . [3]
The species is listed as Least Concern due to its wide geographical range in southern Africa. [3]
This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.