Homostola abernethyi
Species of spider
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Homostola abernethyi is a species of spider in the family Bemmeridae. It is endemic to the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.[1]
| Abernethy's Wafer-Lid Trapdoor Spider | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Mygalomorphae |
| Family: | Bemmeridae |
| Genus: | Homostola |
| Species: | H. abernethyi |
| Binomial name | |
| Homostola abernethyi (Purcell, 1903) | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Distribution
Homostola abernethyi is known from two localities in the Eastern Cape: Kentani and Mkhambathi Nature Reserve.[2] The species occurs at elevations ranging from 1 to 424 meters above sea level.
Habitat
Description
Only females of Homostola abernethyi are known to science.[3] The carapace and legs are pale yellowish in color, with the thoracic portion and lateral borders showing a light brownish tinge. The ocular area is more than twice as wide as long. The labium bears 9 teeth arranged in 3 rows. The tarsi of legs I and II are scopulate to the base. The total length is 13.1 millimeters.[3]
Conservation
The species is listed as Data Deficient due to taxonomic uncertainty, as males remain unknown and the full species range is undetermined.[2] It is protected within Mkhambathi Nature Reserve.
