Central European habitats inhabited by spiders with disjunctive distributions

0361055 - BC 2012 RIV PL eng J - Journal Article
Růžička, Vlastimil
Central European habitats inhabited by spiders with disjunctive distributions.
Polish Journal of Ecology. Roč. 59, č. 2 (2011), s. 367-380. ISSN 1505-2249
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z50070508
Keywords : spiders * glacial relicts * boreomontane species
Subject RIV: EH - Ecology, Behaviour
Impact factor: 0.506, year: 2011

The purpose of the study is to find which habitats within Central Europe support the persistence of isolated populations of spider species of both boreal and Alpine origins. Twenty-five species exhibited disjunctive distributions with their main sub-area in the tundra or boreal forest, and isolated sub-areas in the temperate zone of Central Europe. Six species exhibited disjunctive distributions with their main sub-area in the Alps, and isolated sub-areas in the temperate zone in Central Europe. Only one-third of the species of boreal origin have the same habitat, as in the boreal zone. Two-thirds of the species inhabit different habitats, or have narrowed their ecological valency. Screes play an important role in the survival of isolated populations of species of boreal origin in the temperate zone, together with mountain summits, mountain forests, and peat bogs. Complexes of sandstone rocks also enables the survival of isolated populations of species of boreal origin.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0198468