Horrid Ground-weaver
Nothophantes horridus
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nothophantes
Overview
Nothophantes, the horrid ground-weaver, is a critically endangered monotypic genus of European dwarf spiders containing the single species, Nothophantes horridus. It was first described by P. Merrett & R.
A. Stevens in 1995, and has only been found in an area of Plymouth smaller than 1 square kilometre (0.39 sq mi). The genus name comes from the Ancient Greek νόθος, meaning "spurious", and hyphantes, meaning "weaver".
The species name comes from the Latin horridus, meaning "bristly".
Nothophantes horridus faces severe threats from habitat destruction due to quarrying and limestone extraction activities in its restricted cave systems. The species' extremely limited distribution makes it particularly vulnerable to any disturbance of its underground environment. Climate change poses additional risks through altered groundwater levels and temperature fluctuations that could disrupt the delicate cave ecosystem this spider depends upon.
Habitat
This critically endangered spider inhabits deep limestone cave systems and underground cavities. It requires stable, humid cave environments with consistent temperatures and undisturbed substrate conditions.
Conservation measures underway
Other threatened species in LINYPHIIDAE
Threatened in United Kingdom
Frequently asked questions
Why is Horrid Ground-weaver classified as Critically Endangered?
Where does Horrid Ground-weaver live?
What are the main threats to Horrid Ground-weaver?
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