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National Distribution

About this species

Recorded altitude range
45m to 380m

Species text

Distribution
The species has been recorded from Mid-west Yorkshire, Westmorland, Caernarvonshire, Denbighshire, and most recently Cardiganshire, Radnor and Caithness. It is also known from Belgium, Scandinavia, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and the Czech Republic.

Habitat and ecology
The spider has been found among Sphagnum in raised bogs; among wet grass and Juncus by a stream; in a sedge marsh surrounded by Sphagnum; and in rank Molinia grassland. Adults of both sexes have been taken between September and December, and males in April.

Status
Evidence suggests a major decline since the 1970s. Recorded from just three locations since 1992. Major decline of 78% (or 67%) in area of occupancy from 9 hectads prior to 1992 to 3 hectads after that date.

Threats
Commercial peat-cutting has destroyed most of the major peat-mosses in north-west England and degraded the remainder. Rusland Moss is drying out, pine is invading, and there are further drainage proposals along one side of the surviving bog.

Management and conservation
Where sites are adversely affected by drainage, pine invasion needs to be controlled and water levels raised as far as possible.

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 Maro lepidus

Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Maro lepidus

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