langpootbodemzakspin
Scotina gracilipes
Scotina gracilipes is a small ground-dwelling spider characterized by its notably elongated legs, which give it its common name meaning 'long-legged ground sac spider.' This cryptic arachnid plays an important ecological role as both predator of small invertebrates and prey for larger arthropods and small vertebrates in its ecosystem.
16
Countries
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Arthropoda
Class
Arachnida
Order
Araneae
Family
Liocranidae
Genus
Scotina
langpootbodemzakspin belongs to the family Liocranidae, order Araneae, within the Arachnida class.
Species Profile
Scotina gracilipes is a small ground-dwelling spider characterized by its notably elongated legs, which give it its common name meaning 'long-legged ground sac spider.' This cryptic arachnid plays an important ecological role as both predator of small invertebrates and prey for larger arthropods and small vertebrates in its ecosystem.
Scotina gracilipes faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss and fragmentation of its specialized coastal dune and sandy grassland ecosystems. Urban development, agricultural intensification, and coastal erosion have dramatically reduced the availability of suitable microhabitats this ground-dwelling spider requires for survival.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
This species inhabits loose, well-drained soils in open grasslands, heathlands, and forest edges where it constructs silk-lined burrows beneath stones, fallen logs, or in crevices between rocks. It shows a preference for areas with sparse vegetation cover and sandy or gravelly substrates that facilitate its burrowing behavior.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Scotina gracilipes faces severe population decline primarily due to habitat loss and fragmentation of its specialized coastal dune and sandy grassland ecosystems. Urban development, agricultural intensification, and coastal erosion have dramatically reduced the availability of suitable microhabitats this ground-dwelling spider requires for survival.
Coastal development and urbanization
Habitat loss and fragmentation
Agricultural intensification
Climate change and sea level rise
Recreational pressure and trampling
Found in 16 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). langpootbodemzakspin (Scotina gracilipes). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/langpootbodemzakspin