Diores bifurcatus
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Winterhoek Igloo spider | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Male | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Araneomorphae |
| Family: | Zodariidae |
| Genus: | Diores |
| Species: | D. bifurcatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Diores bifurcatus | |
Diores bifurcatus is a species of spider in the family Zodariidae.[2] It is endemic to the Western Cape province of South Africa and is commonly known as the Winterhoek Igloo spider.[3]
Diores bifurcatus is known from four localities in the Western Cape, including the Great Winterhoek Mountains where it was originally described, as well as Matroosberg, Swartberg Nature Reserve, and Aardvark Nature Reserve.[3]
Habitat
The species inhabits the Fynbos biome in montane environments at altitudes ranging from 588 to 980 m above sea level. It is found in the Cape Fold Mountains region.[3]
Description
Males of Diores bifurcatus have a total length of 4.24 mm, while females are larger at 6.10 mm. The carapace, legs, and opisthosoma are pale yellow. Males have a dorsal scutum flanked on each side by longitudinal dark stripes. Females have similar coloration but lack the abdominal scutum or pattern.[4]
