Summary details for Porrhomma montanum Jackson, 1913

Distribution

The species has a widespread but scattered distribution north of a line between mid-Wales and Yorkshire, but there is one isolated site known in south-east England. It is widespread in north-western Europe, but is not recorded from France, Austria, Switzerland or Poland. It is a Palaearctic species (Platnick 1998).

Habitat and ecology

This is typically an upland species occurring beneath rocks on open mountains. On two occasions specimens have been taken from wet leaf litter in a ditch at Thorndon Park, an ancient woodland in South Essex (P.R. Harvey, pers. comm.). In Snowdonia, mature females have been recorded in April and September. In Essex, adults of both sexes were recorded in March with further females in July. Females have been observed guarding single egg-sacs affixed beneath felsenmeer rocks in mid-September at Moel Siabod, Snowdonia.

Status

The species has suffered some decline in recent years but its upland habitat may have been under-recorded. It is uncommon in Europe.

Threats

Given the apparently broad habitat range of this species, the reasons for its apparent decline are unclear.

Management and conservation

Ensure rocky areas in mountains are not subject to undue disturbance. More information is required on the exact range of habitats occupied by the species in Britain. Text based on Dawson, I.K., Harvey, P.R., Merrett, P. & Russell-Smith, A.R. (in prep.).