Procydrela procursor

Procydrela procursor is a species of spider in the family Zodariidae. It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Sedgefield Procydrela zodariid spider.

Distribution

Procydrela procursor is found in the Western Cape and Eastern Cape provinces. Known localities include Sedgefield, De Hoop Nature Reserve, Brenton-on-Sea in the Western Cape, and Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve in the Eastern Cape.

Habitat

The species are ground-dwelling spiders inhabiting the Fynbos biome at altitudes ranging from 15 to 62 m above sea level.

Description

Both males and females of Procydrela procursor are known. Males have a total length of 5.54 mm with brownish orange carapace and chelicerae, slightly paler in the cephalic area. The opisthosoma displays a complex dark pattern of spots and chevrons on a pale background. Females reach 6.35 mm in total length and have similar coloration to males but lack the pale orange scutum present in males.

Conservation

The species is listed as Endangered by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. It is protected in De Hoop Nature Reserve and Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve.