Summary for Centromerus cavernarum (Araneae)

previous species | next species

National Distribution

Logged-on? click on dot to query records. Please note our
Terms of Use. Double-click on map to go to region

View time series maps for Centromerus cavernarum

Identification difficulty rating: 4

Name: Centromerus cavernarum

Authority: (L.Koch, 1872)

Order: Arachnida: Araneae

Family: Linyphiidae

National Rarity status: NR

IUCN status: NT, criteria: B2a

Records: 36

First Record: 1800

Latest Record: 2022

1992-on hectads: 9

Pre-1992 hectads: 10

Total hectads: 17

Explore Regional Distribution

Please log on and add a note on this species

Missing records?

About this species

Recorded altitude range
80m to 195m

Species text

Distribution
The species has been recorded from Hampden and Great Kimble, Buckinghamshire; Durford Heath, West Sussex; Matfield, West Kent; Blean Woods, East Kent; Maidstone, Kent; Whippendell Wood, Hertfordshire; Nettlebed, Oxfordshire; and more recently Dedmansey Wood, Bedfordshire in 1995; Buckholt Wood near Stroud, Gloucestershire in 1995; Lancaut Nature Reserve, Gloucestershire in 1998 and in Leicestershire. There are old records from unknown localities in Surrey and Cornwall, the latter record being doubtful. It is reported from most countries in north-western and central Europe, but has not been recorded from Scandinavia, the Netherlands or Ireland.

Habitat and ecology
Broad-leaved woodland. Most known sites are beech woods in south-east England, where the species is found deep amongst beech litter, or sometimes on sheet webs inside empty beechnut husks. It has also been found in oak litter, coppiced sweet chestnut litter and leaf litter in mixed woodland. Males have been found in October and females from September to March.

Status
Occurring in six 10-km squares since 1992. The spider is possibly most frequent in the Chilterns. It is reported to be difficult to find and has never been found abundantly. However, enough beech woods have been searched unsuccessfully to establish that it is a truly rare species.

Threats
The loss of old beech woods, frequently through coniferisation.

Management and conservation
Protect ancient broad-leaved woodland from intensive forestry development.

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 9 records with adult season information)

Habitats

background methodology

Broad Habitat Data (based on 3 records with habitat information)

Broad subhabitat Data (based on 1 records with subhabitat information)

Structural Habitat Data (based on 5 records with structural habitat information)

Habitat Detail and Method (based on 8 records with habitat detail and method information)

Structural habitat by month

Recorded management for locations with Centromerus cavernarum

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Centromerus cavernarum

Images

sorry, no pictures available for this species yet - if you have an image please log on and upload it