Where to find Atypus affinis

[wayne balcombe]

Hi,

Was just wondering if anyone had stumbled across populations of Atypus affinis (purseweb spiders) anywhere in Devon, Dorset or any of the surrounding counties?

Just getting back in to rambling through the country again and making use of my camera and thought I'd photograph some of the local arachnids etc, A.affinis is one I'd love to come across, Britains one and only native Mygalamorph.

[Radosław Peliński]

you know they under protection and they should not be disturbed notr collected ?

[Colin D Wilson]

There's an article in the BTS journal Vol:24 No:4 showing my personal observation on their locations, quite a few just South/East of you along the coast. These sitings were a fair few years ago and it's a shame that they're not so abundant now.

[wayne balcombe]

you know they under protection and they should not be disturbed notr collected ?

I'm not interested in disturbing or collecting these spiders and I am aware of how sparse populations of these have become, my interest is purely Photographical.

There's an article in the BTS journal Vol:24 No:4 showing my personal observation on their locations, quite a few just South/East of you along the coast. These sitings were a fair few years ago and it's a shame that they're not so abundant now.

Thank you Colin, I have that issue here somewhere so i'll take a look.

[stuart longhorn]

Hi Wayne (and others)

Just to let you know that there is a european project underway to determine the variation and risks to purse-web spiders across europe, including the UK. Actually, it would be excellent if a smaller number (max 3) were collected from many diverse locations, UK and beyond.

As i understand it, they are protected in the UK. I am just trying to clarify with DEFRA and english nature how to go about surveys and collecting according to existing laws. As there are other BTS/BAS members down in Corwall/Devon area, im sure something can be arranged together.

So, if anyone is able to help determine locations to legally collect specimens for the project, this would be a great help. There is currently some information on the UK distribution of Atypus on the British Arachnology website, including a map.
ie Click on Atypus affinis in the link below

http://www.britishspiders.org.uk/html/bas.php?page=checklist

eg

http://www.searchnbn.net/gridMap/gridMap.jsp?allDs=1&srchSpKey=NBNSYS0000008608

Please feel free to contact me. Hopefully we can get some Atypus hunting organised.
Best Wishes
stuart

[Colin D Wilson]

Still aiming to collect data (if they're present) for Scotland in the better weather, the most Northern confirmed was just South of Dumfries so i think we'll start there and work back up, possibly venturing West into Gallaway, it's in N/S grid lineage with habitats in Wales ... so here's hoping, Although, optomistically, i'd like to confirm on the East coast..now that would be a find