Idiops crudeni

Idiops crudeni is a species of spider in the family Idiopidae.^[2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Alicedale Idiops trapdoor spider.^[3]

Alicedale Idiops Trapdoor Spider
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Infraorder:	Mygalomorphae
Family:	Idiopidae
Genus:	Idiops
Species:	I. crudeni
Binomial name
Idiops crudeni (Hewitt, 1914)[1]
Synonyms
Acanthodon crudeni Hewitt, 1914

Distribution

Idiops crudeni is an Eastern Cape endemic known only from the type locality Alicedale at an altitude of 283 m above sea level.^[3]

Habitat and ecology

The species inhabits the Thicket biome. It lives in silk-lined burrows closed with a trapdoor.^[3]

Description

See also: Glossary of spider terms

Idiops crudeni is known from both sexes but has not been illustrated. The carapace and appendages are yellowish with brown or olive tinge, with lower surfaces a little paler. The abdomen is pale above and below with a faint purplish tinge on the median area anteriorly above. Total length is 21.5 mm.^[3]

Conservation

Idiops crudeni is listed as Data Deficient due to insufficient knowledge about its distribution range and threats. More sampling is needed to determine the species' range.^[3]

Taxonomy

The species was originally described by John Hewitt in 1914 as Acanthodon crudeni. The placement of the species is problematic and taxonomic revision is needed.^[3]