Idiops microps

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

Grahamstown 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. microps
Binomial name
Idiops microps (Hewitt, 1913)[1]
Synonyms
Acanthodon microps Hewitt, 1913

Distribution

Idiops microps is an Eastern Cape endemic known only from the type locality Grahamstown Grey Reservoir at an altitude of 552 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 microps is known only from females. The carapace and appendages are olivaceous brown above, with the abdomen having a dull purplish tinge. Lower surfaces are somewhat paler with the sternum castaneous and the abdomen pale. Total length is 18 mm.^[3]

Conservation

Idiops microps is listed as Data Deficient for taxonomic reasons. The species is under-collected and the identification of the male is still problematic. More sampling is needed to determine the species' range.^[3]

Taxonomy

The species was originally described by John Hewitt in 1913 as Acanthodon microps from Grahamstown. The species has not been revised.^[3]