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National Distribution

About this species

Recorded altitude range

Species text

Distribution
The species has been recorded from four localities in Dorset: at Portland on four occasions between 1854 and 1945; Chesil Beach near Abbotsbury in 1977; Ringstead in 1913; and Morden Park in 1913, though this last record is doubtful since the habitat is different from the other localities. In 1993 it was recorded from Amberley, West Sussex (Jones 1995). More recently, a male and female were caught in subterranean shingle traps at Langstone Harbour in S. Hampshire and five females at Cogden Beach, near Burton Bradstock, Dorset in 2005. It is also known from Greece, Italy, Spain, France, Belgium, southern Germany and Poland.

Habitat and ecology
Most specimens have been found under stones on coastal cliffs or on shingle. One female was from among heather inland and the Amberley female was collected from beneath a chalk boulder in a chalk pit. The small size and pale colouration suggest this may be a largely subterranean species. Adults of both sexes have been taken in September, and females also in February and June.

Status
The spider would appear to be well-established at Portland, where most of the British specimens have been found. It has also been found in Sussex and Hampshire.

Threats
Threats include the loss of coastal grassland habitat. There is extensive stone-quarrying on the Isle of Portland. It is not known whether this is diminishing the habitat of this spider.

Management and conservation
Not enough is known to make management recommendations for this species, other than the need to prevent loss of open habitats to succession and the retention of stones and boulders.

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 Hahnia candida

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Hahnia candida

Images

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