Theridion octoferum

Theridion octoferum is a species of spider in the family Theridiidae. It is endemic to South Africa.

Distribution

Theridion octoferum is found only in South Africa. It is known from the Western Cape at Simonstown.

Habitat and ecology

It has been sampled from the Fynbos biome at 125 m altitude.

Description

Theridion octoferum is known only from a juvenile specimen with a total length of 1.7 mm. The carapace is brownish yellow with a wide black middle longitudinal band. The abdomen is deep black with white at the base forming a wide recurved band.

Conservation

Theridion octoferum is listed as Data Deficient for taxonomic reasons by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. The species is known only from the type locality with a very small range. The status of the species remains obscure. More sampling is needed to collect adults to try and identify the species and to determine the species range.

Taxonomy

Theridion octoferum was described by Embrik Strand in 1909 from Simonstown in the Western Cape based on a juvenile holotype. The species has not been revised and remains known only from juvenile specimens.