Summary details for Micaria alpina L. Koch, 1872

Species Details

Species name: Micaria alpina L. Koch, 1872
Synonym: Micaria breviscula
Taxonomy: Animalia :: Araneae :: Gnaphosidae
habitat: tall sward & scrub
habitat: upland

Distribution

The species has been recorded from Welsh mountains and from Scotland. In Europe, it is known from France, Austria, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway and Finland.

Habitat and ecology

The spider is found under stones, among grass and moss, etc., usually above 750 m. On Creag Meagaidh it was found in Vaccinium myrtillus heath, while on An Teallach the habitat was Nardus/Racomitrium grassland (D. Horsfield pers. comm.). Near Loch an Fheoir it was found in a hummock of Racomitrium in the middle of a Sphagnum bog. Males are adult from May to July, females in June and July.

Status

Known from a single location since 1992 but high altitude habitats are under-recorded. Very few specimens have been found. Area of occupancy has apparently declined by 83% from six hectads prior to 1992 to just one since that date.

Threats

Some populations may be vulnerable to damage from hill-walkers and skiers. Forestry is a potential threat to populations below the tree line.

Management and conservation

Prevent the loss of habitat to forestry 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: 1800
Last recorded: 2002
Total records: 14
Total visits: 14

Conservation status

Micaria alpina

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	42979
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	42979	Much of the apparently substantial decline is thought likely to be a result of under-recording although, like other upland species, it remains vulnerable to climate change. Threats: Some populations may be vulnerable to damage from hill-walkers and skiers, and as an upland species climatic changes are also a threat.

Photos and media

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.