Diores pauper


Diores pauper is a species of spider in the family Zodariidae. It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Drakensberg Igloo spider.

Distribution

Diores pauper has been recorded from three provinces in South Africa: the Eastern Cape, Free State, and KwaZulu-Natal. The species was originally described from Cathedral Peak Forest Station in KwaZulu-Natal.

Habitat

The species inhabits the Grassland, Fynbos, and Thicket biomes at altitudes ranging from 488 to 1646 metres above sea level.

Description

Diores pauper is one of the smallest species in the genus Diores. Males have a total length of 2.32 mm, while females measure 2.72 mm. The carapace is orange with a dark spot in front of the fovea and five striae. The chelicerae and legs are yellowish-orange, and the sternum is yellow.
Males have a sepia dorsum on the opisthosoma with a slightly darker scutum in the anterior half and three pale spots united in a line in front of the spinnerets. Females have similar coloration but the dorsum of the abdomen is uniform sepia with only one small pale patch in front of the spinnerets.

Ecology

Diores pauper are free-living ground-dwellers that construct igloo-shaped retreats with small stones, characteristic behavior of the genus Diores.

Conservation

The species is listed as Least Concern due to its wide geographic range. It is protected in Addo Elephant National Park.