Summary details for Centromerus minutissimus Merrett & Powell, 1993

Species Details

Species name
Centromerus minutissimus Merrett & Powell, 1993
Synonym
Centromerus minutissimus Merrett & Powell, 1973
Taxonomy
Animalia :: Araneae :: Linyphiidae
habitat
short sward & bare ground

Distribution

In England, the species is known from one site in Cambridgeshire. It has also been recorded subsequently from Germany (Blick & Hanggi 2000; Sacher & Breinl 1999).

Habitat and ecology

Arable fields. Although not greatly reduced the eyes are small, supporting the view that the spider may live in fissures below the surface of the ground. The species does appear to be related to a group of cave-dwelling Centromerus species from southern Europe (Merrett, Powell & Maher 1993). Males were collected during the period 9th January to 19th March 1992. In spite of further pitfall trapping and hand searches at the original site, females have not been found, nor indeed any further males. More recently, subterranean traps were deployed over winter 2006/7 in arable fields within a kilometre of the type locality, targeting this species, but without success.

Status

Nineteen males were collected by pitfall trapping in a single field of winter wheat and described as new to science (Merrett, Powell & Maher 1993).

Threats

Insufficient information is available to determine specific threats.

Management and conservation

No recommendations at present. Text based on Dawson, I.K., Harvey, P.R., Merrett, P. & Russell-Smith, A.R. (in prep.).

Stats

First recorded
1991
Last recorded
1992
Total records
6
Total visits
6

Conservation status

Centromerus minutissimus
SourceReporting categoryDesignationDate designatedComments
A Review of the scarce and threatened spiders (Araneae) of Great Britain: Species Status No. 22 (Sep 2017)Rare and scarce speciesNationally Rare. Includes Red Listed taxa01/09/2017
A Review of the scarce and threatened spiders (Araneae) of Great Britain: Species Status No. 22 (Sep 2017)Red listing based on 2001 IUCN guidelinesData Deficient01/09/2017The spider may live in fissures below- ground. Threats: Insufficient information is available to determine specific threats.

Photos and media

Spatial distribution - hectad map

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Temporal distribution - records by year

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Temporal distribution - records by week