Fast black spiders in low growing plants, no web as can see?

[k4t3]

Sorry, am quite new to spiders but have seen a considerable number of blackish coloured spiders in the low growing plants in my mum's garden today. They move very fast and appear to have no web that is visible. After a bit of studying, they can't be wolf spiders, def not zebra spiders.
They just seem to scamper around the soil and low plant levels..curiosity gets the better of me...what are they and what is their lifestyle? I love to know whats going on in the undergrowth but my travels been limited so far to moths

[Geoff F]

Considering the time of year and habitat, my first thought is that they are members of the Lycosidae (wolf spider) family and probably one of the Pardosa species.

Have a look through the Gallery and see if anything matches. But there are several different species and colouration does vary considerably between individuals of the same species. Early specimens are often a bit darker.

Here is one that I photographed last Spring

[k4t3]

Thanks Geoff, thats what they look like! I can get some info about them now

[Geoff F]

Pardosa, like most spiders, are difficult to correctly ID from a photo. I suspect that most of what I see are either Pardosa monticola, with mostly plain coloured legs and P. hortensis or P. amentata with annulated legs (light & dark rings).

But this is just guesswork.

There are over 30 species of Pardosa found in Europe but many are uncommon or only found in specific habitats. From late Spring to mid Summer, females carrying their egg sacks behind them are common.

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

females carrying their egg sacks behind them are common.

Followed by same females giving piggy back rides to a whole heap of little spiders.