Phalangids (Arachnida: Opiliones) Associated with Strip Clearcut and Dense Spruce-fir Forests of Maine 1

Abstract

Five genera and at least seven species of phalangids were collected by pitfall traps in a spruce budworm-infested forest in northern Maine. More than 90% of the specimens were Leiobunum calcar (Wood). Significantly more individuals and species were trapped in uncut residual strips and in dense spruce-fir stands than in clearcut strips. Peaks in seasonal activity for both individuals and species coincided with spruce budworm egg and early larval stages. Species diversity indices were low; individuals were distributed unevenly among the forest conditions investigated. However, coefficients of community (CC) and percentage similarity (PS) generally were >80% for strip clearcuts (both uncut residual and clearcut strips) and dense stands. Greater disparities (i.e., lower CC and PS percentages) were noted among uncut residual and clearcut strips. Neither age of strip clearcut (1 to 6 years) nor depth of litter had much influence on mean catches and mean numbers of species of phalangids per trap per week.