Summary details for Gibbaranea bituberculata (Walckenaer, 1802)

Species Details

Species name
Gibbaranea bituberculata (Walckenaer, 1802)
Synonyms
Araneus bituberculatus (Walckenaer, 1802), Gibbaranea dromedaria, Gibbaranea dromedarius (C.L. Koch, 1845)
Taxonomy
Animalia :: Araneae :: Araneidae

Distribution

The species was known in Britain only from Burnham Beeches, Buckinghamshire. A doubtful report exists from Essex for the period 1935 - 45 (Hull 1947). In Europe the spider is widespread in southern and central areas.

Habitat and ecology

Open woodland. The spider spins its web near the ground in areas of scattered bushes in open woodland and underneath hedgerows. In Britain, adult females were recorded in May.

Status

The spider was found on several occasions early in the 20th century, when reasonable numbers were recorded. However, since 1950, there have been no records and this distinctive spider is probably now extinct in Britain.

Threats

The vegetation where the spider was found at Burnham Beeches was mown to the ground in 1954 despite the SSSI designation of the site three years earlier.

Management and conservation

Protect woodland or scrub where it occurs from clearance or damage. Text based on Dawson, I.K., Harvey, P.R., Merrett, P. & Russell-Smith, A.R. (in prep.).

Stats

First recorded
1908
Last recorded
2024
Total records
7
Total visits
7

Conservation status

Gibbaranea bituberculata
SourceReporting categoryDesignationDate designatedComments
A Review of the scarce and threatened spiders (Araneae) of Great Britain: Species Status No. 22 (Sep 2017)Red listing based on 2001 IUCN guidelinesRegionally Extinct01/09/2017No records of this distinctive spider since 1950 and its habitat was destroyed in 1954. Threats: The vegetation where the spider was found at Burnham Beeches was mown to the ground in 1954 despite the SSSI designation of the site three years earlier.

Photos and media

Spatial distribution - hectad map

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Rejected records are excluded from this map. Unverified records are included.

Temporal distribution - records by year

Records that span more than one year are not included in this chart.

Temporal distribution - records by week