Baryphyma maritimum
Local name: Küsten-Lochköpfchen
The Küsten-Lochköpfchen (Baryphyma maritimum) is a distinctive coastal arthropod characterized by its perforated head capsule and robust, barrel-shaped body adapted for life in harsh maritime environments. This specialized invertebrate plays a crucial role as a detritivore in coastal ecosystems, breaking down organic matter and serving as prey for shorebirds and other coastal predators.
7
Countries
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Arachnida
Order
Araneae
Family
Linyphiidae
Genus
Baryphyma
Baryphyma maritimum belongs to the family Linyphiidae, order Araneae, within the Arachnida class.
Species Profile
The Küsten-Lochköpfchen (Baryphyma maritimum) is a distinctive coastal arthropod characterized by its perforated head capsule and robust, barrel-shaped body adapted for life in harsh maritime environments. This specialized invertebrate plays a crucial role as a detritivore in coastal ecosystems, breaking down organic matter and serving as prey for shorebirds and other coastal predators.
Baryphyma maritimum faces severe population declines primarily due to coastal habitat destruction from urban development and tourism infrastructure along Mediterranean coastlines. Climate change-induced sea level rise and increased storm intensity further threaten its specialized coastal cliff and rocky shore habitats.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This species inhabits the upper intertidal zones of rocky coastlines and mixed sand-gravel beaches, particularly in areas where organic debris accumulates in crevices and under boulder fields. It requires specific moisture gradients found in the transition zone between terrestrial vegetation and marine influence, often associated with decaying kelp wrack and other marine organic matter.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Endangered
Baryphyma maritimum faces severe population declines primarily due to coastal habitat destruction from urban development and tourism infrastructure along Mediterranean coastlines. Climate change-induced sea level rise and increased storm intensity further threaten its specialized coastal cliff and rocky shore habitats.
Coastal development and urbanization
Tourism infrastructure expansion
Habitat fragmentation
Increased storm frequency and intensity
Sea level rise from climate change
Found in 7 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). Baryphyma maritimum (Baryphyma maritimum). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/kusten-lochkopfchen