Moss Ground Spider

Gnaphosa muscorum

General Status Rank: 
Secure
ELCODE: 
ILARA52050
Common Name: 
Moss Ground Spider
Scientific Name: 
Gnaphosa muscorum
Synonyms: 
Gnaphosa gigantea
Pythonissa muscorum
Gnaphosa conspersa
Naming References: 
B164
R197
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Taxonomy
Group: 
Arachnid (Spider)
Kingdom: 
Animalia
Phylum: 
Arthropoda
Class: 
Arachnida
Order: 
Araneae
Family: 
Gnaphosidae
General Biology

Female Age at Maturity

Mature males can be found between May and September, while mature females can be found between May and November (across their entire global range) (Platnick & Dondale 1992).
Habitat
Specimens have been collected under stones, logs, and pieces of fallen bark in open pine and spruce forests, and in sandy soil and grasslands (Platnick & Dondale 1992).
Distribution

Distribution

Alaska to Labrador and Nova Scotia, south to New Mexico and to West Virginia; Europe, Asia. In the NWT, the species has been recorded from Tuktoyaktuk, Norman Wells, Nahanni Butte, Fort Simpson, and Yellowknife (Platnick & Dondale 1992, Loboda et al. 2013).

Number of Occurrences

Platnick & Dondale (1992) note a total of three records in the NWT: one in Nahanni Butte, one in Fort Simpson, and one in Tuktoyaktuk (Platnick & Dondale 1992). There were also an unknown number of occurrences recorded in Norman Wells and Yellowknife (Loboda et al. 2013). References: (1) Loboda et al. 2013. Unpublished spider data from Northern Biodiversity Program. (2) Platnick, N.I. & Dondale, C.D. 1992. The Insects and Arachnids of Canada. Part 19. The ground spiders of Canada and Alaska (Araneae: Gnaphosidae). NRC Research Press, Ottawa, ON. 302 pp.
Threats

Threats

References: 
HSS001

Intrinsic Vulnerability

References: 
HSS001
General Status Rank
Rank: 
Secure
Status Rank Description: 
Secure. Regional experts consider this species to be common in the NWT.
S Rank: 
S4S5
Decision Process Description: 
Originally ranked in 2010 by S. Cannings, M. Anions, P. Paquin, D. Buckle, and R. Bennett. Rank modified in 2014 by R. Bennett from Undetermined to Secure. Rank reviewed by R. Bennett in 2023; no change.
Last Updated: 
August 7, 2024
Status Designations

Canada – Assessment by Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada

COSEWIC Status: 
-

References

Intrinsic Vulnerability

  • Bennett R. in Hebert, R. (2014) A set of 2 e-mails GS Spiders with ranks poposed by Robb Bennett (09/05/2014). e copy - HSS001 Return

Naming

  • Dondale, C.D., J.H. Redner, P. Paquin, and H.W. Levi The Insects and Arachnids of Canada, Part 19, The Ground Spiders of Canada and Alaska, Araneae: Gnaphosidae. NRS Research Press ENR Library QL 434.52.A1I5 pt.19 - B164 Return
  • Bennett, Robb (2010) DRAFT LIST OF SPIDERS IN CANADA Phylum Chelicerata; Class Arachnida; Order Araneae. - R197 Return

Threats

  • Bennett R. in Hebert, R. (2014) A set of 2 e-mails GS Spiders with ranks poposed by Robb Bennett (09/05/2014). e copy - HSS001 Return