Summary details for Pardosa paludicola (Clerck, 1757)

Distribution

The species has been recorded from Merryfield (RNAS), Ilton, South Somerset; Shapwick Heath and Catcott Heath, North Somerset; Parkhurst Forest, Isle of Wight; Plaistow, West Sussex; Cudham, West Kent; Woodwalton Fen, Huntingdonshire; Tarrington, Herefordshire. It is fairly widespread in north-western and central Europe.

Habitat and ecology

P. paludicola has been recorded from grassy clearings in woods, running on peat near trees in fens, and among grass near a pond. It may require moderately long grass or herbage. Males are adult in late March and April, and females have been found in April and May. Both sexes have also been found in November, and some individuals may mature in late autumn and over-winter.

Status

The spider was apparently fairly numerous at Shapwick Heath, Plaistow and Woodwalton Fen, but the only recent records are from Woodwalton Fen and a single female from Merryfield (RNAS), Ilton.

Threats

Shapwick Heath has been very severely damaged by peat extraction, even within the National Nature Reserve, and only a small area of the wet heath remains. Although the original area may no longer exist, there are likely to be other similar areas there. Falling water tables due to agricultural drainage are a problem in the Somerset Levels sites and at Woodwalton Fen. It is difficult to maintain a high water table on the protected areas when the surrounding fields are being drained. The Great Fen Project aims to link up Woodwalton and Holme Fens, thus expanding and restoring the limited area of fenland in Huntingdonshire: several areas of arable have already been purchased.

Management and conservation

Ensure maintenance of high water tables in its known sites. Text based on Dawson, I.K., Harvey, P.R., Merrett, P. & Russell-Smith, A.R. (in prep.).