Assemblages of herb-dwelling spiders (Araneae) of various steppe types in Ukraine and Central Chernozem of Russia

A total of 107 spider species from 15 families were recorded in the herbaceous vegetation of the steppe ecosystems of Ukraine and the Central Chernozem region of Russia. Araneidae, Thomisidae, Salticidae and Theridiidae were the most species-rich. The species composition depended on the steppe type;...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inArachnologische Mitteilungen Vol. 43; pp. 66 - 78
Main Author Polchaninova, Nina Y.
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
German
Published Arachnologische Gesellschaft (ARAGES) 31.07.2012
Subjects
dominance structure
species distribution
spider communities
steppe ecosystems
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Summary:A total of 107 spider species from 15 families were recorded in the herbaceous vegetation of the steppe ecosystems of Ukraine and the Central Chernozem region of Russia. Araneidae, Thomisidae, Salticidae and Theridiidae were the most species-rich. The species composition depended on the steppe type; adjacent forest habitats influenced steppe fauna in the forest-steppe and northern part of the steppe natural zone. The number of generalist, forest and wetland dwelling species in the steppe vegetation showed a tendency to decrease towards the south. Dominance of herb-dwelling spiders was specific to each steppe type; no single species was found to predominate in all the steppe habitats.
ISSN:1018-4171
2199-7233
DOI:10.5431/aramit4312