Heradida loricata

Last updated

Bloemfontein Heradida Ground Spider
Heradida loricata 309414179 558342601.jpg
Male
Heradida loricata 309414179 558342996.jpg
Male
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Zodariidae
Genus: Heradida
Species:
H. loricata
Binomial name
Heradida loricata
Simon, 1893 [1]

Heradida loricata is a species of spider in the family Zodariidae. [2] It is the type species of the genus Heradida and is endemic to South Africa, commonly known as the Bloemfontein Heradida ground spider. [3]

Contents

Distribution

Heradida loricata occurs in the Free State and Northern Cape provinces of South Africa. Localities include Bloemfontein, Luckhoff, Kalkfontein Dam Nature Reserve, Benfontein Game Reserve, and Hopetown. [3]

Habitat

The species inhabits the Grassland biome at altitudes ranging from 1107 to 1399 metres above sea level. It is a ground-dwelling species typically found running on soil surfaces and collected using pitfall traps. [3]

Description

Heradida loricata is described only from females. Females have a total length of 1.96 mm. The carapace, chelicerae, and sternum are pale brown to yellowish brown. The scutum is medium brown with a darker margin, while the remainder of the opisthosoma is cream to yellowish brown. [3] [4]

Conservation

The species is listed as Data Deficient due to taxonomic reasons. It is protected in Kalkfontein Dam Nature Reserve and Benfontein Game Reserve. More sampling is needed to collect male specimens and determine the species' full range. [3]

References

  1. ↑ Simon, E. (1893). "Histoire naturelle des araignées". Roret, Paris: 438.
  2. ↑ "Heradida loricata Simon, 1893". 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 2 (H-T) version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 7. doi:10.5281/zenodo.14568995 . Retrieved 20 September 2025. Creative Commons by small.svg  This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.
  4. ↑ Jocqué, R. (1987). "Descriptions of new genera and species of African Zodariinae with a revision of the genus Heradida". Revue Zoologique Africaine. 101: 145.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.