Summary details for Mecynargus paetulus (O.P.-Cambridge, 1875)

Species Details

Species name: Mecynargus paetulus (O.P.-Cambridge, 1875)
Synonyms: Rhaebothorax paetulus (O.P.-Cambridge, 1875), Rhaebothorax lapidicola (Braendegaard, 1937), Rhaebothorax paetula
Taxonomy: Animalia :: Araneae :: Linyphiidae
habitat: tall sward & scrub
habitat: upland

Distribution

The species has been recorded from Ben Lawers, Mid Perthshire, first in 1965 and on several subsequent occasions; from the Braeriach and Cairngorm-Ben Macdui plateaux, Inverness-shire, in 1981; from Creag Meagaidh, West Inverness-shire, in 1983; from Glas Leathad Mor, East Ross, in 1992; and from Glas Maol, Angus, on several occasions between 1988 and 2004. An arctic-alpine species also known from France, the Netherlands, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway and Finland.

Habitat and ecology

M. paetulus has been found under stones above 850 m and in Nardus stricta snow-bed grassland on Creag Meagaidh. It may be associated with mat vegetation. Adults of both sexes have been found in May, June, August and September.

Status

The spider is apparently well-established on Ben Lawers and in the Cairngorms, but is very local and records have been restricted to three locations since 1992. Area of occupancy shows an apparent decline from five hectads prior to 1992 to just three hectads since that date. The habitat may be under-recorded.

Threats

Additional skiing developments, with plans to increase numbers of skiers in the existing skiing areas as well as opening up new slopes, periodically threaten the fragile high-altitude vegetation of the Cairngorms region. Hill-walking could threaten this species, its habitat being on the top of the Cairngorm plateau where the effects of trampling are quite severe.

Management and conservation

Prevent the loss of habitat to development and damage from skiing and trampling. Text based on Dawson, I.K., Harvey, P.R., Merrett, P. & Russell-Smith, A.R. (in prep.).

Stats

First recorded: 1965
Last recorded: 2013
Total records: 23
Total visits: 23

Conservation status

Mecynargus paetulus

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	A rare montane species found above 900m. It has been reported from only two locations since 1993 and appears to have shown a substantial decline. However, the decline may be a result of ealier surveys of montane species in Scotland which have not been repeated since 1993. Given this, VU D2 is regarded as more appropriate than EN. Pressures from recreation (hillwalking and skiing) are probably overstated as the area affected by these activities is significantly less than the available habitat. The limited altitudinal range is of much greater concern in a rapidly changing climate, with little or no scope for adaptation or migration. Nitrogen deposition is also likely to adversely affect the vegetation structure. Threats: Additional skiing developments, with plans to increase numbers of skiers in the existing skiing areas as well as opening up new slopes, periodically threaten the fragile high-altitude vegetation of the Cairngorms region. Hill-walking could threaten this species, its habitat being on the top of the Cairngorm plateau where the effects of trampling are quite severe.
Scottish Biodiversity List (incorporating 2007 updates and 2012 categorisation)	Biodiversity Lists - Scotland	Scottish Biodiversity List	29/11/2005	Terrestrial/Freshwater Species.

Photos and media

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Spatial distribution - hectad map

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Temporal distribution - records by year

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