This is a spider in which females guard the egg sac.
The described female has a brownish-yellow carapace, with a mainly brown head region.
The female used to describe Selenops arikok was 7.23 mm long. Its carapace measured 3.33 mm long and 3.60 mm wide, making it wider than long. The third leg measured 12.00 mm and was the longest of the four measured pairs.
Research on similar spiders clarified this species’ distribution. Described from Aruba in 2011, it was reported from Colombia in 2015. The 2021 study identified that Colombian specimen as Selenops isopodus instead and treated arikok as endemic to Aruba.
The 2011 description also compared the similar appearance of arikok and isopodus. In the female arikok, the central field of the external genital plate is not completely enclosed anteriorly. The shape of this field and the internal organs provided distinguishing characters. Small anatomical details helped document which related spiders occurred in which places.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.
The name-bearing specimen came from Arikok National Park. The Aruba Conservation Foundation’s 2024 annual report describes strengthened signage, patrols and outreach to prevent pets entering reserves. It also identifies free-roaming goats and donkeys as a management issue and reports the start of planning responses. Surveys of this spider’s distribution and refuges would complement regional environmental management and add information for its conservation.