Moggridgea rupicola
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| Moggridgea rupicola | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Subphylum: | Chelicerata |
| Class: | Arachnida |
| Order: | Araneae |
| Infraorder: | Mygalomorphae |
| Family: | Migidae |
| Genus: | Moggridgea |
| Species: | M. rupicola |
| Binomial name | |
| Moggridgea rupicola Hewitt, 1913[1] | |
Moggridgea rupicola is a species of spider in the family Migidae.[2] It is endemic to South Africa.[3]
The specific name is from Latin, meaning "cliff-dwelling".
Distribution
Moggridgea rupicola has been recorded from two provinces in South Africa. In the Eastern Cape, it occurs at Alicedale, Dassie Klip on the Bushman's River, Grahamstown (Coldspring and Howiesons Poort). It also occurs at Avontuur in the Western Cape.[3]
Habitat
The species inhabits altitudes ranging from 283 to 882 m above sea level.[3]
Description
Moggridgea rupicola is known from both sexes.[3]
Ecology
Moggridgea rupicola is a rupicolous trapdoor spider. The nests are formed in rock crevices or attached to the underside of overhanging ledges, positioned horizontally, strengthened and camouflaged with earth, widened away from the door, and furnished with a thin, wafer-like, nearly circular door. Males were collected from these characteristic nests in March-April.[3]
