Pietermaritzburg Vidole Hackled Band Spider | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Arthropoda |
Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
Class: | Arachnida |
Order: | Araneae |
Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
Family: | Phyxelididae |
Genus: | Vidole |
Species: | V. helicigyna |
Binomial name | |
Vidole helicigyna |
Vidole helicigyna is a species of spider in the family Phyxelididae. [2] It is endemic to KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, and is commonly known as the Pietermaritzburg Vidole hackled band spider. [3]
Vidole helicigyna is known from several localities in KwaZulu-Natal, including the protected Kamberg Nature Reserve. [3] The species occurs at altitudes ranging from 522 to 1,998 m above sea level.
This species inhabits the Grassland and Savanna biomes. [3] Vidole helicigyna is a ground retreat-web cryptic spider that lives in dark places. [3]
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Vidole helicigyna is listed as Vulnerable under criterion B1ab(ii,iii)+2ab(ii,iii) by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. [3] The area occupied by this species is experiencing ongoing loss of habitat due to urban development, crop cultivation and afforestation. There has been extensive transformation of habitat within the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, with habitat loss due to agroforestry plantations, crop cultivation and urban development. [3]
The species was described by Griswold in 1990 from Pietermaritzburg. [1] Vidole helicigyna is known from both sexes. [3]