How can you help the program?
Homepage Biology Distribution Classification Conservation Genetic Study Literature Links How you can help Picture Gallery Contact Us	There are several ways in which you could contribute to the ongoing work to save D. plantarius and conserve its very localised congener, D. fimbriatus. These include: SAMPLES Even very small tissue samples are sufficient for DNA extraction. Fresh tissue, such as single legs (these re-grow as juvenile spiders changes their skins), gives the best yields of DNA for genetic analysis. It is also possible to extract DNA from old tissue, such as ethanol preserved, or dry museum specimens, or even shed skins. If you have access to any such specimens, it make an important contribution to the genetic analysis of this genus if you could send us tissue samples. Samples from different areas of the species distribution range will provide the basis for phylogenetic reconstruction. The analysis of old specimens can also contribute significantly to our understanding of temporal changes in the genetic variability of D. plantarius. PLEASE NOTE that in the UK a licence is required under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 for any activity that is likely to cause disturbance to .D. plantarius. Please contact us if you have any queries about the law in relation to any material to which you might have access. For information on licencing in England click here, in Wales click here and in Scotland click here. Licencing is also required for D. plantarius in some other European countries. We also need samples of D. fimbriatus from Britain and continental Europe. These will help us examine the effects of increasing isolation in the fragmented UK populations of this species and improve our understanding of the role of genetics in the comparative ecology of D. fimbriatus and .D. plantarius. Samples of DNA from other Dolomedes species throughout the world, also contribute to the phylogenetic analysis of the genus and to our understanding of its evolution and natural history. If you do have spider specimens that you are willing to share, then please contact Helen Smith or Sara Goodacre . INFORMATION Do you have information about present or past distribution of D. plantarius? Do you have any relevant literature about this species that is not in the main-stream scientific journals? Do you have any additional data about any aspect of the biology of D.plantarius ? All of this information can play a vital role in our understanding of the natural history and distribution of D.plantarius and help in the development of recording and conservation programmes. GETTING DIRECTLY INVOLVED (IN THE UK) D.plantarius is well known at three UK sites but it is possible that other populations remain undiscovered. It is also possible that Dolomedes populations currently assumed to be D. fimbriatus are in fact D. plantarius. We are also aware that the distribution of D. fimbriatus, particularly in upland Britain, is incompletely mapped. If you know of populations of D. fimbriatus in your locality and are unsure whether they are foramlly recorded or whether their identity has been verified, please contact us. Gaining a complete picture of the current status of both Dolomedes species in the UK is a key element in future efforts to safeguard their populations. You can contribute towards this important task by volunteering to help with surveys of potentially suitable habitat. Although less exciting than discovering a new population, thorough survey to confim the absence of D. plantarius from suitable sites is also very important. The real possibility of introducing this species to new areas of suitable habitat, to reduce the liklihood of extinction in the UK as a whole, requires confirmation that it is not already present. If you know of populations of D. fimbriatus in your locality and are unsure whether their identity has been formally verified, please contact us. OTHER If you have comments and suggestions on any aspect of the Dolomedes study, or this web site, please contact us.
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