Tag: PRODIDOMIDAE

Ground spiders. Not much is known about this family and they are easily confused for other ground spiders, save for the very round carapace they possess. They are medically insignificant to humans.

THEUMA SP.

THEUMA SP.

by anikekirsten
Adult female Theuma sp.

Taxon:

  • Class: Arachnida
  • Order: Araneae
  • Infra-Order: Araneamorph (true spiders)
  • Family: Prodidomidae
  • Genus: Theuma
  • Species: Unknown

Female

Around 6mm in body length. Leg span of approximately 10mm diagonally.

Cephalothorax:
Oval cephalothorax. Cephalic region raised. Carapace reddish-brown, chelicera reddish. Sternum oval, light reddish brown with faint border. Pedipalps unmodified and dull light brown, tarsus darker. Two rows of 4 eyes, posterior set wider apart.

Abdomen:
Abdomen oval and tapered. Dorsal greyish brown, darker anterior. Ventral light brown. Spinnerets long, dorsal grey, ventral light brown.

Legs:
Greyish brown, slightly darker distally. Dorsal femur slightly darker. Coxae same colour as sternum. Leg formation 4, 1, 3, 2.

Male

Unknown.

Adult female Theuma sp.
Adult female Theuma sp.

ABOUT THE GENUS

Theuma sp. spiders are more readily found in hot and dry areas, like semi-deserts such as the Nama-Karoo. They’re considered medium sized spiders, which is still relatively tiny, most averaging at around 8mm in body length. They’re nocturnal and free-running hunters. While not spectacular or unique or different like the other spiders I’ve posted before, Theuma sp. still plays an essential role in their ecosystems. They do have a pair of shiny eyes, however, which makes them easy to spot with a torch in the dark.

These spiders, along with other genera in the family Prodidomidae, need more study, as there is not much known about these ground spiders or their behaviours and characteristics.