Which Wolf Spider?

[Gatekeeper]

I think this is a Wolf Spider, but am unsure of exactly which species it is . Could anybody help narrow it down a bit more?

[Geoff F]

Some additional information about size, excluding legs, and habitat may help to narrow it down a bit but they are notoriously difficult to identify from a photo.

[Gatekeeper]

Hi Geoff,

This was seen with about 10+ similar spiders on a large pile of wooden boards. The location was a grassy bank next to a river outflow and saltmarsh situated on the Severn Estuary, near Newport in Gwent. Spider was about 8 or 9mm excluding legs.

[Geoff F]

Well that will narrow things down a bit for the experts, which doesn't include me!

My guess would be a greyish form of one of the Pardosa species; and the location would be suitable for Pardosa agricola which can be rather grey.

But these are all difficult from a 'casual photo'. In fact they are often difficult from professional photos and need microscopic examination for a confirmed ID.

[Gatekeeper]

Cheers Geoff, thanks for your input

[frits_b]

Originally Posted by Gatekeeper

This was seen with about 10+ similar spiders on a large pile of wooden boards. The location was a grassy bank next to a river outflow and saltmarsh situated on the Severn Estuary, near Newport in Gwent. Spider was about 8 or 9mm excluding legs.

Then it must be Arctosa cinerea, a relatively large wolf spider species that may be found on river banks.
I had looked at the pictures, and considered A. cinerea earlier, but didn't find the resemblance particularly striking. Considering the habitat, and the area where you found it, A. cinerea fits perfectly. Nice find, they're not very common.

[Gatekeeper]

Thanks Frits, will check out some images of it.

[No.9 Spider]

Distribution of Arctosa cinerea:

The Updated Distribution Maps - British Arachnological Society

Looks like the species is recorded for your area, broadly speaking.

No.9 Spider

[Gatekeeper]

Thanks No.9, that's a useful website.