Theridion dedux

Theridion dedux is a species of spider in the family Theridiidae. It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Theridion comb-feet spider.

Distribution

Theridion dedux is found only in South Africa. It is known from KwaZulu-Natal at Durban and Kloof.

Habitat and ecology

This species builds a conical retreat of twigs and leaves in its three-dimensional web. It has been recorded from the Indian Ocean Coastal Belt biome at 17 m altitude.

Description

The carapace is pale yellow marked with indistinct yellow-brown in normal indentations. The abdomen is oval, pale white to dusky yellow brown covered with long bristles with no distinct pattern, only two to three indistinct dusky lines on the sides.

Conservation

Theridion dedux is listed as Data Deficient by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. The species is known from only two localities with a very small range. The status of the species remains obscure. More sampling is needed to determine the species range.

Taxonomy

Theridion dedux was described by Octavius Pickard-Cambridge in 1904 from Durban. The species has not been revised and is known from both sexes.