Meta bourneti found in Highgate Cemetery Vaults.

[martinb]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-21107807

Plenty of the critters 'ooop norf'. 

 

[Big Jim]

Where? I thought we only got Meta menardi ooop north :-\

 

[martinm]

Where? I thought we only got Meta menardi ooop north :-\

In  the Manifold, I have identified:- The common cave spider, Meta menardi. The less common cave spider, Meta merianae, then Meta bourneti.

 

[graham]

Where? I thought we only got Meta menardi ooop north :-\

Apparently it's hard to tell 'em apart. read this link.

 

[Big Jim]

Where? I thought we only got Meta menardi ooop north :-\

In  the Manifold, I have identified:- The common cave spider, Meta menardi. The less common cave spider, Meta merianae, then Meta bourneti.

Have you sent records for these to Derbyshire and Notts Entomological Society Mel? Im sure theyd appreciate records like this if they can be substantiated. Cant remember who the county recorder for Spiders is (think it was a chap called Stan Dobbs) but you should be able to find out via the DaNES website.

J

 

[martinm]

Where? I thought we only got Meta menardi ooop north :-\

In  the Manifold, I have identified:- The common cave spider, Meta menardi. The less common cave spider, Meta merianae, then Meta bourneti.

Have you sent records for these to Derbyshire and Notts Entomological Society Mel? Im sure theyd appreciate records like this if they can be substantiated. Cant remember who the county recorder for Spiders is (think it was a chap called Stan Dobbs) but you should be able to find out via the DaNES website.

J

There are photos of them all (and a spider I couldn't identify) in the Manifold Conservation Audit published a few years back:-
http://thedca.org.uk/publications/cave-conservation-plans
there's also lists of which caves they were found in.

I found the 3 main species quite easy to identify. (Different markings, body shapes, etc.)

I don't know if they have copies or not. Staffs Wildlife Trust do, I believe.

Mel.