LINYPHIID SPIDER (CARORITA LIMNAEA)
LOCAL BIODIVERSITY ACTION PLAN
Links to associated HAPs
None
Current Status
This linyphiid spider was first discovered in Britain in 1962 at Wybunbury Moss, a National Nature Reserve (Duffey & Merrett, 1963), and its continuing presence was confirmed in 1994 (Felton & Judd, 1997). Alan Scott, the Cheshire County Spider Recorder, has recorded it in pitfall traps at Wybunbury Moss on 6 occasions in 1999, once in 1994 and the Derbyshire County Recorder (Stan Dobson) has recorded it at the same site once in 1993.
It has recently been identified in collections made during 1993/4 at Whixall Moss in Shropshire (Rixom, 1997). These are its only two known British sites.
It is only found on, or within, the Sphagnum lawn of peat bogs. Adults occurring between June and September.
It is a Red Data Book Category 1 species, considered endangered at its Wybunbury location (Bratton, 1991).
Threats
- Eutrophication from agricultural run-off, degrading the Sphagnum lawn.
- Successional invasion of the Sphagnum lawn by scrub and trees.
How are we helping to conserve the Linyphiid Spider in the Cheshire region?
- Major sources of polluted and eutrophic water were diverted in 1986 and systematic removal of tree invasion started at the same time. Damage to the Sphagnum lawn has been slowed or reversed.
Objectives, Targets and Actions
OBJECTIVES |
LOCAL TARGETS |
To protect the Sphagnum lawn habitat at Wybunbury Moss, which is host to several other Red Data Book invertebrates, by maintaining appropriate hydrological conditions. |
Targets awaited |
ACTIONS REQUIRED |
- Monitor the population of this species at Wybunbury Moss on an annual basis, paying particular attention to the Sphagnum lawn / pine woodland ecotone.
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Progress so far
| 1997 - 2006 Action Completed |
- All similar mire sites in Cheshire have been surveyed for the presence of Carorita limnaea. None were found.
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How to find out more about the Linyphiid Spider
Information about Wybunbury Moss and its associated wildlife - http://www.dkwright.co.uk/Wybunbury_Moss_Reserve.htm
Contact details
References & Glossary
Duffey, E. & Merrett, P. (1963). Carorita limnaea (Crosby & Bishop), a linyphiid spider new to Britain, from Wybunbury Moss, Cheshire. Ann.Mag.nat.Hist. 13, (6), 573-575.
Felton, C. & Judd, S. (1997). Carorita limnaea (Araneae: Linyphiidae) and other Araneae at Wybunbury Moss, Cheshire - a unique refuge for two relict species of spider in Britain.
Bull.Br.arachnol. Soc. 10 (8), 298-302.
Rixom, W. (1997). Carorita limnaea : a second locality in Britain.
Spider Recording Scheme Newsletter No.29, British Arachnological Society.
Bratton, J.H. (ed.) (1991). British Red Data Books: 3. Invertebrates other the insects. Joint Nature Conservation Committee.
