Species Details
- Species name
- Wiehlea calcarifera (Simon, 1884)
- Synonyms
- Gongylidiellum calcariferum Simon, 1884, Wiehlea huetheri Braun, 1959
- Taxonomy
- Animalia :: Araneae :: Linyphiidae
- short sward & bare ground
Distribution
The species has been recorded from a few localities in southern England, with most records from a fairly small area in central-southern England. It is likely to be restricted by its need for coarse well-drained soil, and by climatic factors. In Europe it is known from France, Belgium and Germany.Habitat and ecology
W. calcarifera occurs in the top layers of coarse sandy soil on open heathland, deep among pine and oak litter on sandy soil, and in short chalk grassland. The records suggest that it lives mainly in coarse sandy soil, and that it migrates downwards in winter. Adults of both sexes have been found between October and May.Status
The spider has never been found in abundance at any site. It has not been recorded at any location post-1992, a 100% decline from the number of locations it was recorded from before that date, but it is likely to be under-recorded.Threats
Sand and gravel extraction at some sites, loss of heathland and chalk grassland to agriculture.Management and conservation
Most specimens have been taken from fairly sparsely vegetated areas, but the maintenance of this type of habitat is probably not essential as it has also been found in woodland litter. Text based on Dawson, I.K., Harvey, P.R., Merrett, P. & Russell-Smith, A.R. (in prep.).Stats
- First recorded
- 1900
- Last recorded
- 2023
- Total records
- 28
- Total visits
- 28
Conservation status
Wiehlea calcarifera
| 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 | Endangered | 42979 | This spider has never been found in abundance at any site. It has not been recorded at any location since 1993 - an apparent 100% decline. However, part of this decline may be a result of under-recording at certain locations, particularly southern heathland sites where new surveys are ongoing, so CR is not currently thought justified. Threats: Sand and gravel extraction at some sites, loss of heathland and chalk grassland to agriculture. |
Photos and media
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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.
Temporal distribution - records by week
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