Ariadna similis

Short description: Species of spider

Mafikeng Tube-Web Spider

Scientific classification
Kingdom:  | Animalia
Phylum:  | Arthropoda
Subphylum:  | Chelicerata
Class:  | Arachnida
Order:  | Araneae
Infraorder:  | Araneomorphae
Family:  | Segestriidae
Genus:  | Ariadna
Species:  |

A. similis

Binomial name
Ariadna similis

Purcell, 1908[1]

Ariadna similis is a species of spider in the family Segestriidae.[2] It is endemic to the North West province of South Africa and is commonly known as the Mafikeng tube-web spider.[3]

## Contents

* 1 Distribution
* 2 Habitat and ecology
* 3 Description
* 4 Conservation
* 5 Taxonomy
* 6 References

## Distribution

Ariadna similis is known only from the type locality Mafikeng in the North West province, at an altitude of 1,289 m above sea level.[3]

## Habitat and ecology

The species inhabits the Savanna biome and constructs tube signal-webs made in crevices of walls, rocks, fallen tree trunks, or bark of trees.[3]

## Description

See also: Biology:Glossary of spider terms

The species resembles A. bilineata but is larger and darker in colour. Females have a reddish-yellow to dark reddish-brown carapace, darker anteriorly, with a hairy surface usually finely veined with black. Chelicerae are yellowish-red to black.[3]

The abdomen has a fine, pale line running from end to end down the middle. Legs are faintly or strongly infuscated, with the anterior pairs darker than the posterior ones. Total length is 11.5 mm.[3]

## Conservation

Ariadna similis is listed as data deficient for taxonomic reasons. More sampling is needed to collect males and determine the species' range.[3]

## Taxonomy

The species was originally described by W. F. Purcell in 1908 from Mafikeng. Only females are known.[3]

## References

1. ↑ Purcell, W.F. (1908). "Araneae". Denkschriften der Medizinisch-Naturwissenschaftlichen Gesellschaft zu Jena 13: 203-246.
2. ↑ "Ariadna similis Purcell, 1908". World Spider Catalog. https://wsc.nmbe.ch/species/33908. Retrieved 2025-09-28.
3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 Dippenaar-Schoeman, A.S.; Haddad, C.R.; Foord, S.H.; Lotz, L.N. (2021). The Segestriidae of South Africa. Version 1. South African National Survey of Arachnida Photo Identification Guide. pp. 1-22. doi:10.5281/zenodo.7162194. This article incorporates text available under the CC BY 4.0 license.

Wikidata ☰ Q2124448 entry

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