Conclusions
Stasimopus is an ancient group of spiders in the Karoo region.
The genus has radiated from the late Eocene and through the Miocene
resulting in 15 extant species in the region. The similarities in
biogeographic histories between the Karoo and arid region of western
Australia have seemly affected the mygalomorph fauna in similar ways.
More mygalomorph genera are needed to determine if this holds true. The
Tankwa Karoo is possibly of importance as a Pleistocene glacial cycle
refugia for the species S. leipoldti . The area should receive
additional sampling to determine if it is a refugia for other taxa. Many
of the species are short range endemics, making them of higher
conservation concern. This is important to note as the Karoo is
undergoing further desertification due to factors such as climate
change. The genus has thrived under arid conditions, but this rapid
desertification may push the various species to their adaptational
limits.