Cydrela spinifrons

Cydrela spinifrons is a species of spider in the family Zodariidae.^[2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Kuruman Cydrela Burrowing spider.^[3]

Kuruman Cydrela Burrowing spider
Conservation status
Least Concern (SANBI Red List)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Infraorder:	Araneomorphae
Family:	Zodariidae
Genus:	Cydrela
Species:	C. spinifrons
Binomial name
Cydrela spinifrons Hewitt, 1915[1]

Distribution

Cydrela spinifrons is found across three South African provinces: Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and Northern Cape. Key localities include Kuruman, Kruger National Park, and several nature reserves in the Soutpansberg region.^[3]

Habitat

The species occurs at altitudes ranging from 285 to 1558 m above sea level in the Grassland and Savanna biomes. Specimens have been collected using pitfall traps.^[3]

Description

See also: Glossary of spider terms

Female Cydrela spinifrons have a total length of 11 mm. The carapace and appendages are pale yellowish-brown. The opisthosoma is blackish-brown with distinctive pale markings including a shallow Λ-shaped band arranged transversely in the middle portion, followed by four somewhat indistinct transverse stripes. Laterally and inferiorly in the posterior half of the opisthosoma is a pale broad band that connects with the Λ-shaped mark on the dorsal surface and unites posteriorly just in front of the vent.^[1]

Conservation

The species is listed as Least Concern by the South African National Biodiversity Institute due to its wide distribution. Although only known from females, it has a sufficiently broad geographical range. It is protected in five protected areas including Blouberg Nature Reserve, Kruger National Park, and Benfontein Game Reserve.^[3]