Summary for Xysticus audax (Araneae)
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National Distribution
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About this species
Recorded altitude range2m to 579m
Species text
DistributionThe species has a widespread but rather scattered Distribution: in much of southern Britain, with a few scattered records north to Inverness-shire. It is a Palaearctic species widespread in western and central Europe.
Habitat and ecology
X. audax is found on gorse and heather in heathland and sometimes grassland, usually at higher levels in the vegetation than X. cristatus. Adults of both sexes are found mainly in late spring and early summer, females persisting later.
Status
The spider is frequent in suitable habitat in southern England, but very local elsewhere. It has been considered by some authors to be a form of X. cristatus, but there is now agreement that it is a separate species. However careful consideration of colour, carapace markings and genitalia is needed to distinguish the two species.
Original author of profile: D.R. Nellist.
Text based on Harvey, P.R., Nellist, D.R. & Telfer, M.G. (eds) 2002. Provisional atlas of British spiders (Arachnida, Araneae), Volumes 1 & 2. Huntingdon: Biological Records Centre. References
Adult Season
Habitats
background methodology
Recorded management for locations with Xysticus audax
Recorded substrate and hydrology for locations with Xysticus audax
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