Summary details for Ozyptila pullata (Thorell, 1875)

Distribution

The only known British locality for this species is Upper Great Culand quarry, Burham, Kent. On the continent, it is considered a scarce southern central and eastern European species (Heimer & Nentwig 1991).

Habitat and ecology

The single known site is a disused chalk quarry. The vegetation is heavily rabbit-grazed and thus dominated by very short scrub/grassland, although with some encroachment by more robust shrubs. The locality is very open, unmanaged and has low anthropogenic disturbance (Bell 1999; Bell & Merrett 2000). The species is found at ground level, particularly amongst grass roots. In continental Europe, Roberts (1998) similarly records the habitat of this species as calcareous grassland, especially amongst moss and grass tussocks at ground level. Specific details on the ecology of this species are limited but, in keeping with many other Ozyptila species, adults appear to reach a peak in June and July.

Status

At the single known locality the population is thought to be stable. Although O. pullata might occur at sites with similar habitat in the south-east of England (e.g. the North and South Downs), it is some years since the spider was first found and it has not been discovered elsewhere.

Threats

Scrub encroachment on the short open grassland in its one known site represents a real danger.

Management and conservation

Remove encroaching scrub. Text based on Dawson, I.K., Harvey, P.R., Merrett, P. & Russell-Smith, A.R. (in prep.).