Stasimopus patersonae

Stasimopus patersonae is a species of spider in the family Stasimopidae. It is endemic to South Africa.

Etymology

The species is named after Paterson, though the specific individual referenced is not detailed in available sources.

Distribution

Stasimopus patersonae is endemic to the Eastern Cape province of South Africa. It is found at Alicedale, Perseverance Uitenhage Road in Port Elizabeth, and Redhouse. The species occurs at altitudes ranging from 5 to 311 m above sea level.

Habitat and ecology

The species inhabits the Thicket biome. Stasimopus patersonae is a ground dweller that constructs silk-lined burrows closed with a D-shaped cork-lid trapdoor.

Description

Stasimopus patersonae is known from both sexes. Females have a carapace and appendages that are very dark brown, almost black, with the abdomen fuscous and lower surfaces dark brown. The patch of red spinules on patella IV is not very large, being conspicuous over about half the segment, though scattered spines extend almost to the distal margin.

Conservation

Stasimopus patersonae is listed as Data Deficient by the IUCN. The species has a restricted range. All specimens were collected prior to 1913. The species is threatened by habitat loss for infrastructure development in Port Elizabeth and Alicedale. The status of the species remains obscure, and more sampling is needed to determine its full range.

Taxonomy

The species was originally described by Hewitt in 1913 from Port Elizabeth. It has not been revised since its original description and is known from both sexes, though not illustrated.