Stasimopus unispinosus

Stasimopus unispinosus is a species in the family Stasimopidae.^[2] It is endemic to South Africa and is commonly known as the De Aar cork-lid trapdoor spider.^[3]

De Aar Cork-Lid Trapdoor Spider
Conservation status
Data Deficient  (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Subphylum:	Chelicerata
Class:	Arachnida
Order:	Araneae
Infraorder:	Mygalomorphae
Family:	Stasimopidae
Genus:	Stasimopus
Species:	S. unispinosus
Binomial name
Stasimopus unispinosus Purcell, 1903[1]

Distribution

Stasimopus unispinosus is found in South Africa. The species occurs in the Northern Cape province at Farm Poortjesfontein, De Aar and Hanover.^[3]

Habitat and ecology

The species is a ground dweller that lives in silk-lined burrows closed with a cork-lid trapdoor. The lid is very thick (6-8 mm thick) and cork-like and not strongly beveled at edge with lower edge more rounded. The species has been sampled from the Nama Karoo biome at altitudes between 1242-1358 m above sea level.^[3]

Description

See also: Glossary of spider terms

Conservation

Stasimopus unispinosus is listed as Data Deficient by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. The species is known from two localities at altitudes of 1242-1358 m above sea level, both sampled prior to 1903. Threats to this species are unknown.^[3]

Taxonomy

The species was originally described by W. F. Purcell in 1903 from De Aar. The species has not been revised and is known from both sexes, though not illustrated. The status remains obscure and additional sampling is needed to determine the species' range.^[3]