Idiops gunningi

Idiops gunningi is a species of spider in the family Idiopidae. It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as Gunning's Idiops trapdoor spider.

Distribution

Idiops gunningi is recorded from two provinces in South Africa, Gauteng and Limpopo. The species occurs at altitudes ranging from 238 to 1,438 m above sea level.

Habitat and ecology

The species inhabits the Grassland and Savanna biomes. It lives in silk-lined burrows closed with a trapdoor. The burrows are situated amongst grass with lids covered with pieces of dry grass attached to them. The lid is provided on the underside with minute holes, has a broad hinge, and is D-shaped.

Description

Idiops gunningi is known only from females. The carapace and appendages are dark brown, while the abdomen is fuscous.

Conservation

Idiops gunningi is listed as Data Deficient for taxonomic reasons. The species is protected in Groenkloof Nature Reserve and Kruger National Park.

Taxonomy

The species was described by John Hewitt in 1913 from Zwartspruit. Hewitt described a subspecies Idiops gunningi elongatus in 1915 based on four adult specimens from Moorddrift Waterberg. The species has not been revised and more sampling is needed to collect males.