Black, shiny spider for ID

[Hedera]

This one gave me a shock when it climbed out of the handle of my shovel!
I haven't seen one before.

[Hedera]

I've been searching and the only one I can find like it is a Steatoda.

[nikolai_avenger]

Hi Hedera.

Any idea on size on this one, please?

Cheers. Nik.

[Hedera]

Body size 1cm approx. Fast mover!

[Hedera]

Just seen another (or the same one again!) under bird bath. The legs look like red jelly. No camera at hand of course.

[LRM]

Definitely not a Steatoda.

Difficult to tell from the photo. Could be a Dysdera crocata - Woodlouse Spider, they have red/brown legs and elongated oval shaped bodies, usually greyish with no markings. Though I have never seen them move fast, although they probalby can if they want to. I usually have to poersuade them, gently, to move. Could have been after woodlice.

Or possibly Amaurobius, a Lace webbed spider. Can't really see if your photo has any markings on body. These are night hunters but also need to be persuaded to move out of the way in daytime.

Have a look on UK Safari -spiders and see if any match.

Somone more knowledgeable will probably come up with a totally different ID.

[Geoff F]

Difficult to say from those photo angles.

I suppose Steatoda grossa is possible but I can't see any obvious abdomen markings.

Alternatively, I was wondering about Harpactea hombergi; with females around 7 mm. Initially, I did consider Dysdera as LRM mentioned but the abdomen seems a little too dark.

But this is probably one for Frits or another of our other experts.

[Hedera]

Thank you, both. Must watch out for it again and try for a better pic. I didn't notice any markings, just shiny black.

[Meta menardi]

Originally Posted by Geoff F

Difficult to say from those photo angles.

I suppose Steatoda grossa is possible but I can't see any obvious abdomen markings.

Alternatively, I was wondering about Harpactea hombergi; with females around 7 mm. Initially, I did consider Dysdera as LRM mentioned but the abdomen seems a little too dark.

But this is probably one for Frits or another of our other experts.

Both photos show very little diagnostic information, but I can see where you are coming from with Harpactea hombergi except that all specimens I have seen have always struck me as being a much more slender spider than is the impression I had got from the Collins guide by Roberts. His illustrations are a delight and very accurate, but it just looks more robust than the ones I have ID'd. In the pics, the spider is quite contorted, giving a rather odd impression of it's physique (makes it sound like a weight lifter), so no easy answer.

I think your ID will have to remain doubtful, Hedera.