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National Distribution

About this species

Recorded altitude range
0m to 160m

Species text

Distribution
The species is mainly south-western and coastal in Britain. An old Staffordshire record seems rather doubtful. It is widespread in Europe.

Habitat and ecology
O. blackwalli occurs under stones and in short grass, mainly near the coast, on cliff-tops and under-cliff. Elsewhere, it is scarce and probably mainly found on short calcareous grassland. Both sexes are adult from May to August, and females have also been taken in March.

Status
In the past the spider has been frequent in places along the south-west coast, but it is usually local and not particularly numerous. It is scarce inland. There appears to have been a major decline since the 1960s and 70s and is known from a single location since 1992 although it is hard to find without the use of pitfall traps. Decline in area of occupancy is apparently 90% from ten hectads prior to 1992 to just one since then.

Threats
Possibly public pressure in a few places, but most sites are in places which are not suitable for cultivation.

Management and conservation
Maintain open stony grassland on cliff tops and under-cliff, control scrub growth.

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 Cozyptila blackwalli

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Cozyptila blackwalli

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