The distribution and habitat preferences of an extremely rare European spider, Glyphesis taoplesius (Araneae: Linyphiidae)

Glyphesis taoplesius Wunderlich, 1969 is a very rare spider species that has only been found in a few locations in Europe. Two specimens of G. taoplesius were recently collected in the Bug river valley in eastern Poland. It is the first record of this species in Poland. A morphological description of the male and a distribution map of the species are given in the paper. G. taoplesius is a hygrophilous spider typically found near bodies of water and the Polish specimens were found in a periodically flooded meadow

Testing Metabolic Theory of Ecology on the local scale: a preliminary study

Data on the density and the body mass of a single community of soil fauna were collected and metabolic rates were calculated from the literature data to test some predictions of the metabolic theory of ecology on the local scale. Part of the results are in accordance with the theory: power functions were found between the metabolic rate and the body mass, and between the density and the body mass. These two relationships have opposite exponents inducing that total population energy use is independent of the body mass. However, the exponents of the relationships were significantly different from the predicted values of |3/4|. The metabolic rate - body mass relationships yielded an exponent >0.8, while the density - body mass relationships yielded an exponent <-0.85. Our results indicate that the metabolic theory of ecology does not hold at the local level. Few studies have been carried out on the local scale and further analysis is required to validate this controversial but promising theory

Changes in Biomass and Diversity of Soil Macrofauna along a Climatic Gradient in European Boreal Forests

Latitudinal gradients allow insights into the factors that shape ecosystem structure and delimit ecosystem processes, particularly climate. We asked whether the biomass and diversity of soil macrofauna in boreal forests change systematically along a latitudinal gradient spanning from 60° N to 69° N. Invertebrates (3697 individuals) were extracted from 400 soil samples (20 × 20 cm, 30 cm depth) collected at ten sites in 2015–2016 and then weighed and identified. We discovered 265 species living in soil and on the soil surface; their average density was 0.486 g d·w·m−2. The species-level diversity decreased from low to high latitudes. The biomass of soil macrofauna showed no latitudinal changes in early summer but decreased towards the north in late summer. This variation among study sites was associated with the decrease in mean annual temperature by ca 5 °C and with variation in fine root biomass. The biomass of herbivores and fungivores decreased towards the north, whereas the biomass of detritivores and predators showed no significant latitudinal changes. This variation in latitudinal biomass patterns among the soil macrofauna feeding guilds suggests that these guilds may respond differently to climate change, with poorly understood consequences for ecosystem structure and functions

Changes in Biomass and Diversity of Soil Macrofauna along a Climatic Gradient in European Boreal Forests

Latitudinal gradients allow insights into the factors that shape ecosystem structure and delimit ecosystem processes, particularly climate. We asked whether the biomass and diversity of soil macrofauna in boreal forests change systematically along a latitudinal gradient spanning from 60° N to 69° N. Invertebrates (3697 individuals) were extracted from 400 soil samples (20 × 20 cm, 30 cm depth) collected at ten sites in 2015–2016 and then weighed and identified. We discovered 265 species living in soil and on the soil surface; their average density was 0.486 g d·w·m−2. The species-level diversity decreased from low to high latitudes. The biomass of soil macrofauna showed no latitudinal changes in early summer but decreased towards the north in late summer. This variation among study sites was associated with the decrease in mean annual temperature by ca 5 °C and with variation in fine root biomass. The biomass of herbivores and fungivores decreased towards the north, whereas the biomass of detritivores and predators showed no significant latitudinal changes. This variation in latitudinal biomass patterns among the soil macrofauna feeding guilds suggests that these guilds may respond differently to climate change, with poorly understood consequences for ecosystem structure and functions.</p

Spider Assemblages of Tree Trunks and Tree Branches in Three Developmental Phases of Primeval Oak&ndash;Lime&ndash;Hornbeam Forest in the Bia&#322;owie&#380;a National Park

The study was conducted in the Bia&#322;owie&#380;a Forest, which is the only place in Europe where the full development cycle of forests takes place on a large scale. The objective of this study was to compare spider assemblages inhabiting tree trunks and tree branches in the optimal, terminal and regeneration phases of a primeval oak&ndash;lime&ndash;hornbeam stand, in terms of their abundance, species diversity and species richness. Spiders of tree branches were sampled using a sweep net into which branches were shaken, while spiders inhabiting tree trunks were collected using traps made of corrugated cardboard placed around the trunks. The three analysed phases did not differ in terms of total species richness. We found that the species diversity of both foliage-dwelling and trunk-dwelling spider assemblages was higher in the terminal phase compared to other phases, which may indicate that the former phase offered the most diverse niches for spiders as a result of the significant disturbance in the stand structure. In addition, we found fewer spider individuals and species in individual samples collected on tree branches from a plot in the regeneration phase compared to the other phases, which may be a consequence of the structure of the stand in this phase (low canopy cover, lush herbaceous vegetation)

Doctor Habilitatus Lidia Borkowska (1967–2020). A Farewell to the Fighter

The research was self-financed by the authors

Spider assemblages on tree trunks in primeval deciduous forests of the Białowieża National Park in eastern Poland

We analysed spider assemblages of tree trunks in an oak-lime-hornbeam forest, an ash-alder riparian forest and an alder carr in the primeval stands of the Białowieża National Park. Spiders were collected from June 1998 to October 2000 using bark traps. A total of 2,182 spider individuals, belonging to 43 species and 14 families was collected. The forest types differed in the spider abundance and species richness. The differences probably resulted from different tree species and different environmental conditions in the forest types. The most numerous species in oak-lime-hornbeam forest and in alder carr was Amaurobius fenestralis, whereas Anyphaena accentuatawas the most abundant species in ash-alder riparian forest. Four species (Amaurobius fenestralis, Anyphaena accentuata, Segestria senoculataand Neriene montana) were collected in each month (March – October), whereas most species were recorded sporadically or in some periods

Spider Assemblages of Tree Branches in Managed and Primeval Deciduous Stands of the Białowieża Forest

The Białowieża Forest is an important biodiversity hotspot on a European scale, and therefore its preservation should have a high priority. However, forest management conducted over a large area of the forest, intensive logging, and elimination of dead trees pose serious threats to many species in the forest. The main aim of this study was to determine the species composition of spider assemblages inhabiting tree branches of the Białowieża Forest and to compare their species richness and the abundance of individuals (adults and juveniles) between managed and primeval stands. Between April and November 2000, we sampled three forest types (oak–lime–hornbeam forest, ash–alder riparian forest, and alder carr) in protected primeval stands within the Białowieża National Park and in managed stands. We collected 1761 specimens from 14 families and identified 41 species. Tree branches were inhabited mainly by juveniles. Species richness was smaller in managed stands compared to primeval stands. The highest number of species was found in primeval alder carr. Our study shows a negative effect of forest management on spider assemblages in terms of species richness. We emphasize the important role of alder carr forests as potential biodiversity hotspots

Spider Assemblages of Tree Branches in Managed and Primeval Deciduous Stands of the Bia&#322;owie&#380;a Forest

The Bia&#322;owie&#380;a Forest is an important biodiversity hotspot on a European scale, and therefore its preservation should have a high priority. However, forest management conducted over a large area of the forest, intensive logging, and elimination of dead trees pose serious threats to many species in the forest. The main aim of this study was to determine the species composition of spider assemblages inhabiting tree branches of the Bia&#322;owie&#380;a Forest and to compare their species richness and the abundance of individuals (adults and juveniles) between managed and primeval stands. Between April and November 2000, we sampled three forest types (oak&ndash;lime&ndash;hornbeam forest, ash&ndash;alder riparian forest, and alder carr) in protected primeval stands within the Bia&#322;owie&#380;a National Park and in managed stands. We collected 1761 specimens from 14 families and identified 41 species. Tree branches were inhabited mainly by juveniles. Species richness was smaller in managed stands compared to primeval stands. The highest number of species was found in primeval alder carr. Our study shows a negative effect of forest management on spider assemblages in terms of species richness. We emphasize the important role of alder carr forests as potential biodiversity hotspots