Heath Short-spur
Anisodactylus nemorivagus
The Heath Short-spur (Anisodactylus nemorivagus) is a specialized ground beetle characterized by its dark metallic bronze-black coloration and distinctive shortened tarsal spurs. This nocturnal predator plays a crucial role in heathland ecosystems by controlling populations of small invertebrates and serving as prey for insectivorous birds and spiders.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anisodactylus_nemorivagus
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Insecta
Order
Coleoptera
Family
Carabidae
Genus
Anisodactylus
Heath Short-spur belongs to the family Carabidae, order Coleoptera, within the Insecta class.
Species Profile
The Heath Short-spur (Anisodactylus nemorivagus) is a specialized ground beetle characterized by its dark metallic bronze-black coloration and distinctive shortened tarsal spurs. This nocturnal predator plays a crucial role in heathland ecosystems by controlling populations of small invertebrates and serving as prey for insectivorous birds and spiders.
The Heath Short-spur (Anisodactylus nemorivagus) is critically endangered due to severe habitat loss and degradation of its specialized heathland ecosystem. Urban development, agricultural conversion, and changes in land management practices have dramatically reduced the availability of suitable sandy heathland habitats this ground beetle requires for survival.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This species inhabits open heathlands dominated by ericaceous shrubs, particularly areas with sparse vegetation cover and exposed sandy or peaty soils. It shows strong preference for recently burned or naturally disturbed heath patches where it shelters under low-growing heather and gorse.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
The Heath Short-spur (Anisodactylus nemorivagus) is critically endangered due to severe habitat loss and degradation of its specialized heathland ecosystem. Urban development, agricultural conversion, and changes in land management practices have dramatically reduced the availability of suitable sandy heathland habitats this ground beetle requires for survival.
Agricultural conversion of heathlands
Changes in heathland management practices
Habitat fragmentation
Habitat loss from urban development
Loss of sandy soil microhabitats
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). Heath Short-spur (Anisodactylus nemorivagus). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/heath-short-spur