Heradida xerampelina

Bitterfontein Heradida Ground Spider
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Infraorder:	Araneomorphae
Family:	Zodariidae
Genus:	Heradida
Species:	H. xerampelina
Binomial name
Heradida xerampelina Benoit, 1974 [1]

Heradida xerampelina is a species of spider in the family Zodariidae. ^[2] It is endemic to the Western Cape province of South Africa and is commonly known as the Bitterfontein Heradida ground spider. ^[3]

Distribution

Heradida xerampelina is known only from Bitterfontein in the Western Cape province of South Africa. ^[3]

Habitat

The species is a ground-dwelling spider found running on soil surfaces. It occurs at an altitude of 354 metres above sea level. ^[3]

Description

See also: Glossary of spider terms

Heradida xerampelina is known only from females. The placement of this species within the genus Heradida is considered problematic and it may belong to another genus. ^{[3] [4]}

Conservation

The species is listed as Data Deficient due to taxonomic reasons. More sampling is needed to collect male specimens and determine the species' range and proper taxonomic placement. ^[3]

References

1. Benoit, P.L.G. (1974). "Notules arachnologiques africaines. III". Revue Zoologique Africaine. 88: 434.
2. "Heradida xerampelina Benoit, 1974". World Spider Catalog. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
3. 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. 9. doi:10.5281/zenodo.14568995 . Retrieved 20 September 2025.  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.