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National Distribution

About this species

Recorded altitude range
3m to 700m

Species text

Distribution
The spider has a widespread but patchy and scattered distribution in Britain. It is apparently absent in large parts of the east Midlands, East Anglia and S. Wales. Globally this European species extends as far east as Azerbaijan (Platnick 1998). It is widespread in north-western and central Europe but has not been recorded from the Netherlands.

Habitat and ecology
S. corniger lives amongst moss and grass in wet swampy areas (Locket & Millidge 1953) and is also sometimes found in litter of woodlands. In North Wales the species is typically associated with damp areas in open, upland (above 250 m), coniferous woodland. Adults of both sexes are present in autumn and spring, females in most months of the year. Egg-sacs have been noted affixed within clumps of the moss Polytrichum commune in May.

Status
A local species which has apparently declined by about 40% in recent years, although some of this may be due to under-recording.

Threats
It is not obvious what threats the species faces given the range of generally wet habitats in which it is found, but drainage of wetlands for forestry and agriculture may have played a role.

Management and conservation
Drainage of wetland areas for forestry and agriculture where the species is known to occur should be prevented. More information on the ecological requirements of the species is needed before firm management guidelines can be provided.

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

Adult Season

Habitats

background methodology

Recorded management for locations with Sintula corniger

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Sintula corniger

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