bleke bodemkrabspin
Ozyptila sanctuaria
The bleke bodemkrabspin (Ozyptila sanctuaria) is a small, pale-colored crab spider belonging to the family Thomisidae. This cryptic arachnid displays characteristic mottled beige and gray coloration that provides excellent camouflage against sandy and rocky substrates.
10
Countries
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Emanuele Santarelli, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Emanuele Santarelli
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Arachnida
Order
Araneae
Family
Thomisidae
Genus
Ozyptila
bleke bodemkrabspin belongs to the family Thomisidae, order Araneae, within the Arachnida class.
Species Profile
The bleke bodemkrabspin (Ozyptila sanctuaria) is a small, pale-colored crab spider belonging to the family Thomisidae. This cryptic arachnid displays characteristic mottled beige and gray coloration that provides excellent camouflage against sandy and rocky substrates. As an ambush predator, it plays a crucial role in controlling populations of small arthropods in its specialized ground-dwelling ecosystem.
Ozyptila sanctuaria faces severe threats from habitat destruction and fragmentation of its specialized dune ecosystem. The species' extremely limited range makes it particularly vulnerable to coastal development, recreational activities, and climate change impacts on coastal habitats.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Ozyptila sanctuaria inhabits sparse vegetation zones of coastal sand dunes, particularly areas with scattered marram grass and pioneer plant communities. The species shows strong preference for semi-stabilized sandy areas with partial shade from low shrubs, typically within 500 meters of the shoreline.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Ozyptila sanctuaria faces severe threats from habitat destruction and fragmentation of its specialized dune ecosystem. The species' extremely limited range makes it particularly vulnerable to coastal development, recreational activities, and climate change impacts on coastal habitats.
Coastal development and urbanization
Habitat fragmentation
Recreational trampling and disturbance
Climate change and sea level rise
Sand extraction and coastal modification
Found in 10 Countries
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). bleke bodemkrabspin (Ozyptila sanctuaria). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/bleke-bodemkrabspin