bosmuisspin
Haplodrassus silvestris
Haplodrassus silvestris, commonly known as the forest ground spider or bosmuisspin, is a small nocturnal hunting spider with a dark brown to blackish prosoma and lighter brown abdomen marked with subtle chevron patterns. This ground-dwelling arachnid plays a crucial ecological role as both predator of small arthropods and prey for larger invertebrates and small vertebrates in forest ecosystems.
24
Countries
Photo: iNaturalist: (c) Frederik Leck Fischer, all rights reserved, uploaded by Frederik Leck Fischer
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Arachnida
Order
Araneae
Family
Gnaphosidae
Genus
Haplodrassus
bosmuisspin belongs to the family Gnaphosidae, order Araneae, within the Arachnida class.
Species Profile
Haplodrassus silvestris, commonly known as the forest ground spider or bosmuisspin, is a small nocturnal hunting spider with a dark brown to blackish prosoma and lighter brown abdomen marked with subtle chevron patterns. This ground-dwelling arachnid plays a crucial ecological role as both predator of small arthropods and prey for larger invertebrates and small vertebrates in forest ecosystems.
Haplodrassus silvestris faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss from deforestation and agricultural conversion of its forest habitats. The species' limited distribution and specialized habitat requirements make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and human disturbance.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This spider inhabits the leaf litter layer and upper soil horizons of mature deciduous and mixed forests, particularly favoring areas with dense canopy cover that maintain consistent moisture levels. It constructs silk-lined retreats under fallen logs, bark, and among decomposing organic matter on the forest floor.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Haplodrassus silvestris faces severe population declines primarily due to habitat loss from deforestation and agricultural conversion of its forest habitats. The species' limited distribution and specialized habitat requirements make it particularly vulnerable to environmental changes and human disturbance.
Agricultural expansion and land conversion
Deforestation and forest fragmentation
Habitat degradation from human activities
Limited distribution range vulnerability
Found in 24 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). bosmuisspin (Haplodrassus silvestris). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/bosmuisspin