Summary for Synageles venator (Araneae)

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National Distribution

 
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Synageles venator Copyright: Peter Harvey
Identification difficulty rating: 3
Name: Synageles venator
Authority: (Lucas, 1836)
Order: Arachnida: Araneae
Family: Salticidae
National Rarity status: NS
IUCN status: LC

Records: 173
First Record: 1885
Latest Record: 2024

1992-on hectads: 42
Pre-1992 hectads: 16
Total hectads: 50

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About this species

Recorded altitude range
0m to 25m

Species text

Distribution
The species was almost confined to the coasts of southern England and South Wales, but also recorded from Yaxley and Woodwalton Fens, Huntingdonshire, two old brick pits in the Peterborough area, an old pulverised fly ash (PFA) lagoon site and several other brownfield sites in South Essex. In recent years it has been turning up more widely and has even been recorded in gardens. It is widespread and more frequent in Europe.

Habitat and ecology
S. venator occurs in sand dunes on the coast, usually low down among marram, and among similar tussocky vegetation in fens. More recently it has been found in two old brick-pits, in one case on a fairly steep bank with Phragmites and partial vegetation cover near the margin of a pool (P. Kirby, pers. comm.) and in traps set in weathered PFA 'dune' with nearby areas of Phragmites and 'fen' vegetation. It has also been beaten from scrub on a number of occasions (P.R. Harvey) and found on a gatepost and post-and-rail fencing (Williams 2005, 2006) The spider is an ant-mimic, usually found in association with ants. Both sexes are adult in summer and autumn, and females also in spring.

Status
The spider is fairly common in some large dune systems, but infrequently recorded elsewhere.

Threats
Public pressure and holiday development on sand dunes, the drainage or growth of scrub in fens. One of the old brick pit sites and the PFA lagoon site have subsequently been developed for housing, and the other brownfield sites have been developed or are under immediate threat of development.

Management and conservation
Little is needed on sand dunes apart from the reduction of erosion by public pressure. In fens control scrub growth and maintain the water table.

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

Adult Season

Adult Season Data (based on 81 records with adult season information)


Habitats

background methodology

Broad Habitat Data (based on 47 records with habitat information)

Broad subhabitat Data (based on 7 records with subhabitat information)

Structural Habitat Data (based on 39 records with structural habitat information)

Habitat Detail and Method (based on 51 records with habitat detail and method information)

Recorded management for locations with Synageles venator

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Synageles venator

Images

Ant mimic
Ant mimic
Synageles venator 1
Synageles venator 1
Synageles venator male 2
Synageles venator male 2
Synageles venator male 1
Synageles venator male 1
Synageles venator
Synageles venator
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