Epigean Spiders at Abisko Scientific Research Station in Swedish Lapland (Arachnida: Araneae)

Abstract

Summary The Tornetrask area, including the Abisko National Park, Sweden, is arachnologically one of the best explored sites of Fennoscandia. Here, we report the results of pitfall trapping at Abisko Scientific Research Station during the summers of 2004 and 2005, recording 791 individuals of 62 species of spiders. As expected, at the species level, samples were dominated by members of the Linyphiidae, while at the level of individuals Pardosa hyperborea and other lycosids were dominant. Two subsites, on heath and bog, differed substantially in their species profile: seven species were statistically overrepresented on the drier heath site, while two showed a strong preference for the wetter bog site. The samples also contained the first reported lateral gynandromorph of Archaeodictyna consecuta (Dictynidae). This study, from 195 km north of the Arctic Circle, provides important reference data for continued studies on the long-term effects of climate change on Arctic ecosystems.