ARACHNIDA > ARANEAE > Atypidae

My spider collection starts with one of my best, and probably most remarkable, discoveries Atypus affinis, which is not only scarce, but also rarely seen as it spends much of its life hidden away in its burrow. And, for it to be wandering across our patio when its typical habitat is on loose chalk or sandy soils in heathland and unimproved grassland areas is all a bit of a mystery. There are a few records from gardens, but not many, and I wouldn't mind betting that they adjoin open land, which I guess is why this individual happened to be in ours as we back onto a small paddock.

Atypus affinis is the sole British representative of the family.

The species excavates a relatively long underground tunnel with a short, exposed entrance, which is completely lined with silk to form a continuous closed tube. The appearance of the web has been likened to an old-fashioned coin purse, giving the genus its common name.

It is a distinctive straight-jawed, eight-eyed spider with a glossy greenish-brown carapace and an elevated head with a conspicuous pale band at the front which conceals muscles used to move the heavy chelicerae. The abdomen is brown with, in the male, a large dark patch in the anterior half.  

The species is primarily found in the south with only a few scattered, mainly coastal, records further north. At the time of writing, the British spider's recording scheme had less than 650 confirmed sightings. Atypus affinis is currently listed as 'nationally scarce' (notable A) with an amber watching brief.  Males may be found on the surface during April and May or, more likely, in the autumn from September to November when they're looking for a mate. The chances of seeing a female though are extremely unlikely.

New species added, Nov.23 (v.1)