Species Details
- Species name
- Glyphesis cottonae (La Touche, 1945)
- Common name
- Cotton's Amazon Spider
- Taxonomy
- Animalia :: Araneae :: Linyphiidae
- acid & sedge peats
Distribution
The species has been recorded from Dorset, Hampshire, Surrey, Cheshire, Shropshire and Cumberland. It may be abundant in some Sphagnum bogs in heathland areas in Dorset, Hampshire and Surrey, but these areas have been poorly recorded recently. In north-western and central Europe it has been recorded from Belgium, Sweden, Finland, Germany and Poland.Habitat and ecology
The species is found in lowland Sphagnum bogs, usually in areas where there is a sturdy growth of Sphagnum above the water level. Adults of both sexes are found between September and May, but are usually most numerous between October and February.Status
UK Biodiversity Action Plan priority species. Recorded from four hectads since 1992, showing a decline of 60% in Area of Occupancy (from 10 to 4 hectads) from before that date. The spider is very small and needs to be searched for by the specialised technique of taking Sphagnum samples, which means it is likely to be under-recorded.Threats
In common with other heathland and bog species, G. cottonae is threatened by the loss of heathland, and drainage of associated bog systems by agriculture, afforestation and development.Management and conservation
Maintain the water table in bogs where this species has been recorded. Text based on Dawson, I.K., Harvey, P.R., Merrett, P. & Russell-Smith, A.R. (in prep.).Stats
- First recorded
- 1900
- Last recorded
- 2023
- Total records
- 140
- Total visits
- 127
Conservation status
Glyphesis cottonae
| 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 | Vulnerable | 01/09/2017 | Detection of this very small species requires the specialised technique of taking and searching Sphagnum samples. This means it is likely to be under-recorded and is therefore downgraded from EN. However B2ab(ii,iv) is justified because, in common with other wet heathland and bog species, it is threatened by habitat loss, and changes to the water table as a result of agricultural activities, afforestation and development. Threats: In common with other heathland and bog species, G. cottonae is threatened by the loss of heathland, and drainage of associated bog systems by agriculture, afforestation and development. |
| Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 - Species of Principal Importance in England (section 41) | Biodiversity Lists - England | England NERC S.41 | 01/11/2008 | |
| UK list of Priority Habitats and Species | Biodiversity Action Plan UK list of priority species | Priority Species | 28/08/2007 | not on former UK BAP list |
Photos and media
No photos or media files available
Spatial distribution - hectad map
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Thresholds:
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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
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