moswolfspin
VU

moswolfspin

Arctosa leopardus

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arctosa_leopardus

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

Arctosa leopardus faces significant pressure from coastal development and tourism infrastructure that destroys its specialized sandy beach and dune habitats. Climate change poses an additional threat through sea level rise and increased storm intensity, which can flood nesting sites and alter the delicate moisture balance these spiders require. Agricultural expansion and urbanization in coastal areas further fragment remaining suitable habitat patches.

Threat summary

Habitat

This wolf spider inhabits sandy coastal environments including beaches, dunes, and sandy grasslands near shorelines. It requires loose, well-drained sandy substrates where it can construct burrows and hunt for small invertebrates in the specialized microhabitat of coastal sand ecosystems.

Other threatened species in Lycosidae

SchorrenwolfspinCR

Schorrenwolfspin

Pardosa purbeckensis

Unknown
grote nachtwolfspinVU

grote nachtwolfspin

Trochosa robusta

Unknown
Lycose renardVU

Lycose renard

Alopecosa cuneata

Unknown
VU

trommelwolfspin

Hygrolycosa rubrofasciata

Unknown

Threatened in Åland Islands

Calidris ferrugineaVU

Calidris ferruginea

Declining
VU

Syndyas nigripes

Unknown
Chrysotus cupreusCR

Chrysotus cupreus

Unknown
VU

narulukkokiiluri

Syntormon filiger

Unknown

Frequently asked questions

Why is moswolfspin classified as Vulnerable?
moswolfspin is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. Arctosa leopardus faces significant pressure from coastal development and tourism infrastructure that destroys its specialized sandy beach and dune habitats. Climate change poses an additional threat through sea level rise and increased storm intensity, which can flood nesting sites and alter the delicate moisture balance these spiders require. Agricultural expansion and urbanization in coastal areas further fragment remaining suitable habitat patches.
Where does moswolfspin live?
moswolfspin occurs in Åland Islands, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, and Bulgaria (plus 31 other countries). Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to moswolfspin?
The main threats to moswolfspin are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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