Summary details for Erigone psychrophila Thorell, 1871

Species Details

Species name: Erigone psychrophila Thorell, 1871
Taxonomy: Animalia :: Araneae :: Linyphiidae
habitat: acid & sedge peats

Distribution

The species has been recorded from Northumberland (Cheviot), Perthshire, Aberdeenshire, Inverness-shire, Ross-shire, Sutherland, Skye and Mull. The spider is apparently local, and not found on many mountains. It is a boreo-alpine species in Europe.

Habitat and ecology

A montane species, which is usually found in very damp situations, in Sphagnum at the edge of bog pools and amongst overhanging vegetation. It also occurs under stones by montane pools. Adults of both sexes are found from April to September.

Status

Recorded in a total of twelve 10-km squares, but in only one since 1992. This is probably because of this species' specialised habitat, so the decline is more apparent than real. It may be frequent where it occurs. It might be more widespread in N.W. Highlands.

Threats

The chief immediate conservation problem on the Cairngorm mountains is their heavy use for recreation: skiing compacts the snow causing severe damage to the underlying vegetation. In the longer term climate change may prove a greater threat to this and other high-altitude species.

Management and conservation

Ensure that mountain tops where the species occurs are protected from excessive recreational pressures. Text based on Dawson, I.K., Harvey, P.R., Merrett, P. & Russell-Smith, A.R. (in prep.).

Stats

First recorded: 1966
Last recorded: 2021
Total records: 34
Total visits: 34

Conservation status

Erigone psychrophila

Source	Reporting category	Designation	Date designated	Comments
A Review of the scarce and threatened spiders (Araneae) of Great Britain: Species Status No. 22 (Sep 2017)	Rare and scarce species	Nationally Rare. Includes Red Listed taxa	01/09/2017
A Review of the scarce and threatened spiders (Araneae) of Great Britain: Species Status No. 22 (Sep 2017)	Red listing based on 2001 IUCN guidelines	Near Threatened	01/09/2017	Apparent substantial decline probably a result of under-recording of its specialised habitat on the margins of montane pools; it may be more widespread than records indicate. Threats: The chief immediate conservation problem on the Cairngorm mountains is their heavy use for recreation: skiing compacts the snow causing severe damage to the underlying vegetation. In the longer term climate change may prove a greater threat to this and other high-altitude species.

Photos and media

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Spatial distribution - hectad map

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Thresholds:

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Temporal distribution - records by year

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