Moggridgea albimaculata

Moggridgea albimaculata is a species of spider in the family Migidae.^[2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the Limpopo Moggridgea trapdoor spider.^[3]

Limpopo Moggridgea Trapdoor Spider
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Infraorder:	Mygalomorphae
Family:	Migidae
Genus:	Moggridgea
Species:	M. albimaculata
Binomial name
Moggridgea albimaculata Hewitt, 1925[1]

Etymology

The specific name is Latin for "white-spotted".^{[citation needed]}

Distribution

Moggridgea albimaculata is known only from its type locality at Sekororo, approximately 35 kilometres (22 mi) south-southwest of Leydsdorp in Limpopo province in northern South Africa.^[3]

Habitat

The biome the species was found in is the savanna, at an altitude of 628 metres (2,060 ft) above sea level. It was collected from a nest constructed under bark and closed with a trapdoor.^[3]

Description

See also: Glossary of spider terms

Moggridgea albimaculata is known only from the female. The species belongs to the genus Moggridgea, which are medium-sized trapdoor spiders measuring 5–25 mm (0.2–1 in) in length. Like other members of the genus, it constructs bag-like retreats rather than typical burrows.^[3]

Ecology

The adult female was collected in December. The species constructs trapdoor nests, with the single known specimen having been found in a nest made under bark.^[3]

Conservation

Moggridgea albimaculata is listed as data deficient by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) for taxonomic reasons. The species is known only from the type locality, and the male remains unknown. Additional sampling is needed to determine the species' range and collect male specimens.^[3]