Gnaphosa lucifuga
CR

Gnaphosa lucifuga

Unknown

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

Overview

Gnaphosa lucifuga is a ground spider species with Palearctic distribution.

Gnaphosa lucifuga faces severe population declines due to habitat destruction and degradation of its specialized cave and underground environments. Human activities including cave disturbance, mining operations, and groundwater pollution have significantly reduced available habitat, while the species' limited dispersal ability makes population recovery extremely difficult.

Threat summary

Habitat

This species inhabits caves, underground cavities, cellars, and other dark subterranean environments, typically in areas with stable temperature and humidity conditions. It shows a strong preference for deep cave zones and artificial underground structures that mimic natural cave conditions.

Other threatened species in Gnaphosidae

Haplodrassus cognatusCR

Haplodrassus cognatus

Unknown
VU

Haplodrassus minor

Unknown
VU

Zelotes longipes

Unknown
VU

Zelotes petrensis

Unknown

Threatened in Afghanistan

Asian HoubaraVU

Asian Houbara

Chlamydotis macqueenii

Declining
VU

Urial

Ovis vignei

Declining
EN

Malus komarovii

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CR

Zygophyllum bucharicum

Declining

Frequently asked questions

Why is Gnaphosa lucifuga classified as Critically Endangered?
Gnaphosa lucifuga is classified as Critically Endangered — facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild — because population sizes are very small, declining sharply, or restricted to a tiny range. Gnaphosa lucifuga faces severe population declines due to habitat destruction and degradation of its specialized cave and underground environments. Human activities including cave disturbance, mining operations, and groundwater pollution have significantly reduced available habitat, while the species' limited dispersal ability makes population recovery extremely difficult.
Where does Gnaphosa lucifuga live?
Gnaphosa lucifuga occurs in Afghanistan, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, and Czechia (plus 18 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 Gnaphosa lucifuga?
The main threats to Gnaphosa lucifuga 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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