Theridion octoferum

Theridion octoferum
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Araneae
Infraorder: Araneomorphae
Family: Theridiidae
Genus: Theridion
Species:
T. octoferum
Binomial name
Theridion octoferum
Strand, 1909[1]

Theridion octoferum is a species of spider in the family Theridiidae.[1] It is endemic to South Africa.[2]

Distribution

Theridion octoferum is found only in South Africa.[1] It is known from the Western Cape at Simonstown.[2]

Habitat and ecology

It has been sampled from the Fynbos biome at 125 m altitude.[2]

Description

Theridion octoferum is known only from a juvenile specimen with a total length of 1.7 mm. The carapace is brownish yellow with a wide black middle longitudinal band. The abdomen is deep black with white at the base forming a wide recurved band.[2]

Conservation

Theridion octoferum is listed as Data Deficient for taxonomic reasons by the South African National Biodiversity Institute. The species is known only from the type locality with a very small range. The status of the species remains obscure. More sampling is needed to collect adults to try and identify the species and to determine the species range.[2]

Taxonomy

Theridion octoferum was described by Embrik Strand in 1909 from Simonstown in the Western Cape based on a juvenile holotype. The species has not been revised and remains known only from juvenile specimens.[2]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Theridion octoferum Strand, 1909". World Spider Catalog. Natural History Museum Bern. doi:10.24436/2. Retrieved 2025-10-01.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2021). The Theridiidae of South Africa. Part 2 [R-T]. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. p. 31. doi:10.5281/zenodo.7515998. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.