Community structure of spiders in coastal habitats of a Mediterranean delta region (Nestos Delta, NE Greece)

S Buchholz

doi:10.32800/abc.2009.32.0101

Abstract

Habitat zonation and ecology of spider assemblages have been poorly studied in Mediterranean ecosystems. A first analysis of spider assemblages in coastal habitats in the east Mediterranean area is presented. The study area is the 250 km² Nestos Delta, located in East Macedonia in the North-East of Greece. Spiders were caught in pitfall traps at 17 sites from the beginning of April to the end of June 2004. Nonparametric estimators were used to determine species richness and alpha diversity. Ordination analysis (redundancy analysis) indicated four clearly separable spider species groups (salt meadows, dunes, mea-dows and floodplain forests), along a soil salinity and moisture gradient. Based on these results we discuss the habitat preferences of these spiders and include the first ecological data on several species.

Highlights

Knowledge on the ground fauna of Mediterranean ecosystems is still limited
A very few ecological studies concerning spider assemblages are available to date (Chatzaki et al, 1998, 2005a, 2005b)
The Nestos Delta is situated in East Macedonia in the North–East of Greece, at an elevation of 1 to 18 m a.s.l. and covering about 250 km2

Summary

Introduction

Knowledge on the ground fauna of Mediterranean ecosystems is still limited This especially concerns the eastern Mediterranean region and, in particular, the ecology of epigeal arthropods, such as spiders. A very few ecological studies concerning spider assemblages are available to date (Chatzaki et al, 1998, 2005a, 2005b) This is a drawback since such studies are imperative, for example, to assess the conservation value of habitats. In this context, general assemblage descriptions and more detailed knowledge of ecolo gical relationships between species and environment should be taken into consideration when developing a nature conservation policy and determining habitat management objectives (cf Bonte et al, 1998, 2000, 2002) General assemblage descriptions and more detailed knowledge of ecolo gical relationships between species and environment should be taken into consideration when developing a nature conservation policy and determining habitat management objectives (cf. Bonte et al, 1998, 2000, 2002)

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Conclusion