Klipspringer wrote: ↑Sat Mar 09, 2019 11:06 am
Hi
I think the spider is genus
Stasimopus, might be
S. rufidens which is recorded from KZN.
Here is a download link for Trapdoor spiders
https://epdf.tips/download/baboon-and-t ... frica.html
Stasimopus rufidens is the largest of the genus with females reaching a body length of 50mm.
Your photo shows the cork lid burrow. Commonly known as cork lid trapdoor spiders, the
Stasimopus genus contains 45 species and is endemic to Southern Africa. The specific name derived from Latin means "Red Teeth" and may pertain to the red/rufous colouration of the rastellum on the spiders chelicera. The rastellum are teeth like modifications that allow
Stasimopus and other members of the Ctenizidae family to build their impressive burrows. Stasimopus are perfectly adapted for a life spent in their burrows. A large stocky spider,
Stasimopus has short robust legs which enable the spider to quickly traverse the smooth sides of its burrow when alerted to prey or in the case or predators, firmly hold shut the cork lid. The cork lid is created from soil, vegetation and silk. Prey is captured when insects, or small vertebrates disturb the silk trip lines that radiate outwards from the entrance of its trapdoor, alerting the spider to a meal. The spider detects the prey by vibrations and when the unwary victim comes close enough, the spider lurches out with remarkable speed to capture the prey which is then pulled back into the burrow to be consumed. Females and juvenile males are very similar in appearance but once the males mature they become an altogether different looking beast with notable differences in the extraordinary long pedipalps, the secondary sex organs and the long slender legs which undoubtedly favour long drawn out wanderings in his search for the perfect female.
