Overwintering of spiders in terrestrial molluscs shells in the wider area of Vranov Nad Toplou (Slovakia)

Abstract

Overwintering of spiders in empty snail shells is a little studied topic and in Slovakia similar research has not been carried out yet. Collecting shells was carried out in the eastern part of Slovakia, in winter at the turn of 2012/2013 and 2013/2014. The study was conducted both at the steppe like and post-industrial habitats. A total of 1085 shells were collected with a spider occupation rate 10.69 %. All acquired 116 spiders were classified in ten families. The most abundant spider family was the Salticidae, with a dominant species Pellenes tripunctatus (Walckenaer, 1802). Significant records include Cheiracanthium montanum (L. Koch, 1877) which is considered as vulnerable and Sitticus penicillatus (Simon, 1875) with a lower risk thread according to Red List of Slovakian spiders.