Promyrmekiaphila clathrata

(Simon, 1891)

wafer-lid trapdoor spider

Promyrmekiaphila clathrata is a of wafer-lid trapdoor spider in the Euctenizidae, to California. It constructs silk-lined burrows up to 30 cm deep in soil, covered with a wafer-like trapdoor made of silk and soil. The species exhibits deep genetic structure across its range but is not divided into multiple species. It is one of three described species in the Promyrmekiaphila.

Promyrmekiaphila clathrata (F Euctenizidae) by Marshal Hedin. Used under a CC BY-SA 2.0 license.

Pronunciation

How to pronounce Promyrmekiaphila clathrata: //proʊˌmɪrmiˌkaɪəˈfaɪlə kləˈθreɪtə//

These audio files are automatically generated. While they are not always 100% accurate, they are a good starting point.

Identification

Distinguished from similar by the dusky chevron pattern on its . Can be differentiated from its sister P. winnemem and the related P. korematsui through genetic and morphological analysis, though phenotypic divergence is limited. The wafer-lid burrow construction is characteristic of the Euctenizidae.

Images

Appearance

A trapdoor spider with a dusky chevron pattern on the . As a mygalomorph spider, it has robust body proportions typical of the group. The wafer-lid trapdoor covering its burrow entrance is constructed from silk and soil, often decorated with plant material or substrate.

Habitat

Vegetated, mesic that retain moisture. Constructs burrows in soil up to 30 cm deep.

Distribution

to California, United States. Restricted to the central and northern California Coast Ranges, from San Benito County to Glenn County.

Behavior

Constructs silk-lined burrows with wafer-like trapdoor lids made of soil, silk, and often decorated with plant material or substrate. Remains in burrow and ambushes prey from this concealed position.

Ecological Role

that likely contributes to soil aeration through burrow construction.

Similar Taxa

Promyrmekiaphila winnememSister within the same ; distinguished through genetic and subtle morphological differences
Promyrmekiaphila korematsuiCongeneric ; separated by geographic distribution and genetic divergence
Aptostichus speciesRelated trapdoor spiders in the same ; distinguished by burrow architecture and abdominal patterning

More Details

Population Genetics

Research using subgenomic data reveals strong geographic structuring among , with deep phylogenetic breaks across the . Despite this genetic divergence, P. clathrata is interpreted as a single with deeply structured populations rather than multiple cryptic species, as appears ongoing or occurred recently between some lineages.

Taxonomic History

Originally described by Simon in 1891. The Promyrmekiaphila is part of the California trapdoor spider fauna that has been the focus of extensive systematic research by the Bond lab at UC Davis.