39 Annales Universitatis Paedagogicae Cracoviensis Studia Naturae, 2: 39–56, 2017, ISSN 2543-8832 DOI: 10.24917/25438832.2.3 Valerián Franc*, Michal Fašanga Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University, Tajovského 40, 97401 Banská Bystrica, *Valerian.Franc@umb.sk Spiders (Araneae) of the abandoned pasture near the village of Malé Kršteňany (Western Slovakia) Introduction Our research site is located on the SE slope of the hill of Drieňový vrch (cadaster of the village of Malé Kršteňany). It is the southernmost edge of the Strážovské vrchy Mountains (Mts) (48°55ʹ46ʹʹN; 18°26ʹ05ʹʹE), separated from the central massif by the river �ow Nitrica. �is area is considerably in�uenced by human activity: In the past, it had massive deforestation and agricultural use (mainly as pasture), recently, it is dominated by mining activities (several quarries). �e whole area is out of the territo- rial protection, with the exception of the little Nature reserve Veľký vrch, surrounded by two quarries, and the le� one is more or less abandoned. In the past, this area was used mainly for grazing, but this is currently very limited. Our research site is an aban- doned pasture; therefore, ecological succession is carried out intensively here. Forgot- ten a�er-utility areas (abandoned quarries, pastures, industrial sites) are usually con- sidered to be ‘sterile’ and unattractive for zoological research, but this may not always correspond to reality. Even in our research site, we have carried out several rare and surprising �ndings. We would like to present the results of our research in this paper. It is sad, but a large amount of abandoned pastures is scattered throughout Slova- kia. �is contradicts the fact that traditional methods of farming (especially grazing) are most suitable for the sustainable development of suburban and rural partially agri- cultural land. Grazing helps to preserve steppe character of the habitats in Central Eu- rope. Grazing restriction, evident almost in the whole of Europe, is unnecessary and counterproductive also in protected areas. On the other hand, it should be supported. It does not concern intensive and concentrated grazing in a small plot of course – it causes destruction of the soil, including fauna. Scattered grazing in the meadows, in sparse forests and xerothermic slopes, is the most desirable from the gene-pool point of view; and it does not only concern spiders and insects. V al er iá n Fr an c, M ic ha l F aš an ga 40 Material and methods �e research of spiders of the Nature reserve Veľký vrch had been carried out already in 1994, and the results were published later (Gajdoš, 1996). �e author used di�er- ent sampling methods (mainly pitfall trapping in the mentioned protected territory) while we dealt especially with individual collecting on the secondary habitat outside the nature reserve, and then the faunal comparison between these two sites may be methodologically inadequate. Our study area is west of the reserve Veľký vrch, above the more-or-less aban- doned quarry (Fig. 1–2). Coordinates of the centre of the research site: 48°38ʹ49.41ʹʹN; 18°26ʹ44.37ʹʹE, the altitude 270–385 m. �e research of spiders was carried out during the vegetation season of 2015 and in 1 sampling excursion in March 2017. We applied current methods of sampling, especially si�ing of leaf litter and detritus, sweeping the vegetation, and shaking down the spiders from tree branches. We also dealt with in- dividual exploration under the bark and in rotten wood of old trunks and stumps. We took merely a small number of individuals, and easily identi�able species were mostly noted down only. �e spiders were identi�ed according the keys by Miller (1971) and Heimer, Nentwig (1991) and the specialised web-site: https://araneae.unibe.ch/. Several documented species are o�en cited in various Red Lists of European coun- tries. Later will be evaluated and compared their ecosozological status according to the following Red Lists: Slovakia (Gajdoš, Svatoň, 2001), Czech Republic (Kůrka et al., Fig. 1. Research site above the quarry (red line), green line indicates NR Veľký vrch (Source: https://www. google.sk/maps/@48.6486548,18.4538526,1464m/data=!3m1!1e3) S piders (A raneae) of the abandoned pasture near the village of M alé K ršteňany (W estern S lovakia) 41 2015), Austria – the Carinthia county (Komposch, Steinberger, 1999), Poland (Staręga et al., 2002), and Germany (Blick et al., 2016). �e further old and undated records will be not mentioned. Coordinates of the sites are added only in the case of thoroughly localised records. �e code DFS (Databank of Fauna of Slovakia) is cited only in sev- eral inaccurately mentioned records, where the coordinates are not exactly detectable. Additional data, if possible, are listed in chronological order. Results and discussion A total of 146 spider species belonging to 25 families were collected in the studied territory (Appendix 1 – Tab. 1). Some records deserve special note (marked by ”◄“ in table 1): 1. Acartauchenius scurrilis – a scarce species of xerothermic meadows and pastures. Notable due to its ecology: It occurs sporadically in the colonies of ants Tetramorium caespitum, especially under stones. A larger number of recent records is available. 2. Centromerus albidus – a rare species of well-preserved forest habitats, little known due to its hidden way of life. Formerly, it had been considered to be utmost rare (Miller, 1971). Usually found under larger stones and in rock �ssures. Several recent records are available: Tríbeč Mts – Nature Reserve (later only ‘NR’) Zoborská lesotep (DFS 7674), April 13, 1978, 1 ♀ (Gajdoš, 1985); Krupinská planina plateau – Plášťovce (48°10ʹ15.63ʹʹN; 19°0ʹ24.78ʹʹE, 279 m a. s. l. – later only ‘m’), May 23, 1995, 1 ♀ (Franc, 1999); Cerová vrchovina Mts – NR Steblová skala (48°4ʹ44.61ʹʹN; 19°58ʹ46.96ʹʹE, 442 m), May 6, 1995, 1 ♀; and NR Pohanský hrad – the Nyári cave Fig. 2. Panoramic view on the Veľký vrch hill; study site is indicated by red arrow. It is nearly unbelievable that this Nature Reserve (green arrow) is in the immediate vicinity of the active quarry (Photo. M. Fašanga) V al er iá n Fr an c, M ic ha l F aš an ga 42 (48°11ʹ54.71ʹʹN; 19°55ʹ22.77ʹʹE, 570 m), May 29, 1995, 10 ♀ (Franc, Hanzelová, 1995); Muránska planina plateau – NR Šiance (48°46ʹ24.60ʹʹN; 20°05ʹ22.66ʹʹE, 898 m), June 22, 2001; and NR Šarkanica (48°42ʹ34.55ʹʹN; 19°58ʹ35.37ʹʹE, 710 m), June 25, 2001 (Franc, 2014); Bystrická vrchovina Mts – Stará kopa Mt (48°43ʹ38.05ʹʹN; 19°10ʹ53.19ʹʹE; 486 m), May 11, 2002, 1 ♀ (Franc, 2005); Krupinská planina plateau – Príbelce (48°12ʹ14.70ʹʹN; 19°14ʹ49.88ʹʹE, 362 m), between rocks in shady oak forest, June 21, 2008 (Franc, 2010a); Cerová vrchovina Mts – Nature Monument Belinské skaly (48°13ʹ45.83ʹʹN; 19°51ʹ39.74ʹʹE, 471 m), June 6, 2006, P. Gajdoš lgt. (Svatoň et al., 2009). Note: Its conspicuously pale colouration re�ects that it tends to underground way of life. Despite not documented in neighbouring countries, its discovery is expectable, especially in the Czech Republic and Austria. 3. Frontinellina frutetorum – a scarce species of xerothermic habitats and edges of open deciduous forests. A larger number of recent records is available. 4. Mermessus trilobatus – an allochthonous species, originally known from North America, where it is quite frequent. He was brought into Europe by tra�c, probably with US Army soldiers, and it now occurs in several Western and Central European countries (Dolanský et al., 2009). It prefers semi-natural and disturbed habitats. 5. �eonina cornix – occurs locally and rarely in rocky and sandy steppes and open dry deciduous forests. It is also known from the site located 8.5 km on the north: Strážovské vrchy Mts – Horné Vestenice (48°43ʹ19.96ʹʹN; 18°25ʹ37.71ʹʹE, 436 m), April 28, 2002, 2 ♂ (Franc, 2004). Several further recent records are accessible; hitherto known from 13 grid mapping squares of the DFS (Gajdoš, in verb.). It may be locally more abundant in the southwestern part of Slovakia: Malé Karpaty Mts – Svätý Jur (DFS 7769), old vineyards, undated, 16 specimens! (Dankaninová, Gajdoš, 2012). 6. Trichoncus a nis – a scarce species of rocky steppes. More than 50 recent re- cords from Slovakia are accessible. It always indicates well-preserved warm habitats. 7. Phycosoma inornatum – a scattered and very rare species of xerothermic (of- ten karst) grasslands and open forests. Known only from three further recent re- cords: Strážovské vrchy Mts – Dolné Vestenice: Záviničie (48°42ʹ01ʹʹN; 18°23ʹ17ʹʹE, 230 m), pitfall trap, 2001, 4 specimens (Gajdoš et al., 2009); Starohorské vrchy Mts – Jakub Protected Site (48°46ʹ0.16ʹʹN; 19°08ʹ34.32ʹʹE, 434 m), April 9, 2004, 1 ♂ P. Gajdoš rev. (Franc et al., 2009); Krupinská planina plateau – Príbelce (48°12ʹ16.35ʹʹN; 19°15ʹ0.89ʹʹE, 328 m), forest steppe above the shooting range, June 21, 2008, 2 ♂ (Franc, 2010a). Very rarely found also in the neighbouring Czech Republic (Buchar et al., 2002), and apparently elsewhere. Note: It ranks among little known species, because the species of the former genus Dipoena are di�cult to identify. 8. Altella biuncata – a very rare species of forest steppes. Known only from a few isolated records: Krupinská planina plateau – Plášťovce (DFS 6879), December 15, S piders (A raneae) of the abandoned pasture near the village of M alé K ršteňany (W estern S lovakia) 43 year is not mentioned, probably the 50s, F. Miller lgt. – it is apparently the �rst record from the territory of Slovakia! (Kůrka, 1994); Malá Fatra Mts – the Starhradská valley, surely it is contemporary NR Krivé (DFS 6879), open deciduous forest, pitfall trap, August 23, 1974, 1 ♀ (Svatoň, 1981); NR Hradová (48°40ʹ47.58ʹʹN; 19°55ʹ21.40ʹʹE, 795 m), forest steppe with the south exposition, 1979–1980, date unavailable (Svatoň, 1985) – the last two records from mountain altitudes are highly notable; Malé Karpaty Mts – NR Devínska Kobyla (DFS 7868), undated (Gajdoš, 2005a); Burda Mts – NR Burdov (DFS 8178), undated, 1 ♀ J. Svatoň lgt. (Gajdoš, 2016). 9. Brommella falcigera – another very rare species of xerothermic habitats. Only a small amount of records is available: Malé Karpaty Mts – NR Devínska Kobyla (DFS 7868), undated (Gajdoš, 2005a); NR Ostrovné lúčky (48°02ʹ25.40ʹʹN; 17°10ʹ31.23ʹʹE, 129 m), September 19, 1993, 1 ♂ and 4 ♀ lgt. P. Gajdoš (unpublished); National Park Poloniny – NR Hrúnok (49°0ʹ50.79ʹʹN; 22°14ʹ9.70ʹʹE, 350 m), September 21, 1998, 1 ♀ (Svatoň et al., 2003); Cerová vrchovina Mts – Protected site Vinohrady (48°16ʹ33.92ʹʹN; 20°10ʹ8.51ʹʹE, 238 m), June 8, 2006, 1 ♀ lgt. S. Korenko (Svatoň et al., 2009); Strážovské vrchy Mts – Dolné Vestenice (48°42ʹ44.69ʹʹN; 18°23ʹ56.88ʹʹ E, 348 m), xerothermic karst slope, March 24, 2011, 2 ♂ V. Franc lgt. (previously unpublished). 10. Mastigusa arietina – found under the stone in the colony of Camponotus ligniper- dus (Latreille, 1802). A rare species of warmer grasslands and xerothermic habitats, liv- ing in or near ant colonies; nevertheless, its relationship with ants is not clear (the same concerns all myrmecophilous spiders). Referred �nding is remarkable because the oc- currence in association of this ant species has not hitherto been published. �e following records from Slovakia are available: NR Rohy near the town of Detva (48°32ʹ53.27ʹʹN; 19°21ʹ11.58ʹʹE, 577 m), in an under-stone colony of Lasius niger, March 3, 1991, 1 ♂; Krupinská planina plateau – Plášťovce (48°10ʹ15.63ʹʹN; 19°0ʹ24.78ʹʹE, 279 m), May 23, 1995, 1 ♀ in the colony of Messor structor on a xerothermic slope, April 1, 1994, 2 ♀ – together with the very rare leiodid-beetle Attaephilus arenarius (Hampe, 1852)! (Franc, 1999); Krupinská planina plateau – Rykynčice (48°12ʹ21.70ʹʹN; 18°57ʹ40.40ʹʹE, 267 m, the same circumstances, April 9, 1994, 2 ♂, 1 ♀, all records V. Franc and A. Hanzelová lgt.; Ostrôžky Mts – Nedelište (48°23ʹ30.62ʹʹN; 19°25ʹ8.63ʹʹE, 457 m), in the colony of Lasius alienus in a xerothermic oak forest, April 22, 2000, 1 ♂ V. Franc lgt. (all records Franc, 2007); NR Zoborská lesostep near the town of Nitra (DFS 7674), April 29, 1978 (Gajdoš, Krumpál, 1987); National Park Poloniny – Ruské (49°07ʹ7.37ʹʹN; 22°19ʹ51.91ʹʹE, 568 m), semi-xerothermic pasture, pitfall trap, 1 specimen undat- ed (Žila, Gajdoš, 2014); Ostrôžky Mts – Praha (48°22ʹ07.69ʹʹN; 19°30ʹ26.27ʹʹE, 504 m), xerothermic shrubby pasture, in the colony of Messor structor, 3 ♀ (Franc, 2010b). Its abundance is recently probably increasing due to the global warming. 11. Diaea livens – a rare species of warmer deciduous forests and groves, formerly had been ranked among utmost rare species. �e �rst record from Slovakia was pub- V al er iá n Fr an c, M ic ha l F aš an ga 44 lished from Protected site Gavurky (48°27ʹ51.53ʹʹN; 19°07ʹ53.90ʹʹE, 466 m), May 22, 1992, 1 ♂ (Franc, Hanzelová, 1996). �e second �nding has been carried out in the site Jasenov – Hôrka (DFS 7097), June 15, 1994, 1 ♂, and published as a new species for the Slovakian fauna (�omka, 1996), because the author did not have information on the �rst record from Gavurky. �e further records: Cerová vrchovina Mts – Obručná (DFS 7885), 20. 5. 1999, 1 ♂, lgt. Eva Svatoňová, det. J. Svatoň (Svatoň et al., 2009); Poľana Mts – forest steppe above the Bátovský boulder (48°39ʹ39.88ʹʹN; 19°22ʹ47.46ʹʹE, 736 m), May 13, 2005, 1 ♂, V. Franc lgt., J. Svatoň rev. (Franc, 2013); Ostrôžky Mts – Lysec (48°20ʹ52.41ʹʹN; 19°27ʹ40.54ʹʹE, 633 m), June 25, 2007, 2 ♂ (Franc, 2010b); Krupin- ská planina plateau – Príbelce (48°12ʹ16.35ʹʹN; 19°15ʹ0.89ʹʹE, 328 m), forest steppe above the shooting range, June 21, 2008, 1 ♂ (Franc, 2010b); NR Šúr (DFS 7769), salty grassland, May 28, 2009, 1 ♂, lgt. O. Majzlan (Gajdoš, 2010). Recent records are also accessible from the Slovenský kras Mts – surroundings of the Domica cave (DFS 7588), shrubby and tree margin of the dry calcareous grassland, but undated (Gajdoš, 2005b). Maybe, its abundance is recently increasing due to the global warming as well. 12. Tmarus stellio – a rare thermophilous species of forest steppes and edges of open deciduous forests. Several records from Slovakia are accessible: Krupinská planina pla- teau – Medovarce (48°14ʹ13.54ʹʹN; 18°59ʹ18.12ʹʹE, 242 m), swept from the vegetation of forest steppe, May 16, 1992, 1 ♀ (Franc, 1999); Poľana Mts – forest steppe above the Bátovský boulder (48°39ʹ39.88ʹʹN; 19°22ʹ47.46ʹʹE, 736 m), June 1, 2004, 1 ♂ (Franc, 2013); Poľana Mts – Hrochoť, forest steppe above the Beňova valley (48°39ʹ12.94ʹʹN; 19°19ʹ44.08ʹʹE, 660 m), June 19, 2005, 1 ♂ and 1 ♀ (Franc, 2013); Ostrôžky Mts – Ly- sec (48°20ʹ51.41ʹʹN; 19°27ʹ41.74ʹʹE, 622 m), June 14, 2007, 2 ♂ (Franc, 2010b); Malé Karpaty Mts – Svätý Jur (DFS 7769), old vineyards, undated, 1 specimen (Dankani- nová, Gajdoš, 2012); Burda Mts – Burdov (DFS 8178), June 19, 2005 (Gajdoš, 2016). 13. Chalcoscirtus brevicymbialis – a local and rare species, known from a few re- cords in the warmest sites. Only a few recent records from Slovakia are accessible: NR Turecký vrch (DFS 7273), July 12, 1978, 1 ♀ P. Gajdoš lgt. – the �rst record for the territory of Slovakia (Gajdoš et al., 1984)*; Strážovské vrchy Mts – NR Kňaží stôl (48°48ʹ15.70ʹʹ; 18°17ʹ30.35ʹʹE, 542 m), June 3, 1984, 1 ♀ (Gajdoš, 1986a)*; Pohronský Inovec Mts – NR Včelár (48°27ʹ01.48ʹʹN; 18°28ʹ41.17ʹʹE, 383 m), June 28, 1984, 1 ♀ (Gajdoš, 1987)*; Strážovské vrchy Mts – NR Veľký vrch (48°8ʹ54.07ʹʹN; 18°27ʹ13.82ʹʹE, 385 m), summer 1985, several specimens (Gajdoš, 1986b)*. Krupinská planina pla- teau – Medovarce (48°14ʹ13.54ʹʹN; 18°59ʹ18.12ʹʹE, 242 m), between rocks of a for- est steppe, May 27, 1995, 1 ♂ (Franc, 1999). Strážovské vrchy Mts – Dolné Vestenice (48°42ʹ44.69ʹʹN; 18°23ʹ56.88ʹʹE, 348 m), xerothermic karst slope, July 2, 2002, 1 ♂ (Franc, 2004); Burda Mts – Burdov (DFS 8178), 1 specimen J. Buchar lgt. (Gajdoš, 2016). *Note: Cited as Chalcoscirtus in�mus (Simon, 1868), despite it has not been hitherto documented from Slovakia. �ese species may be confused; nevertheless, the male S piders (A raneae) of the abandoned pasture near the village of M alé K ršteňany (W estern S lovakia) 45 palpal organ of Ch. brevicymbialis is apparently shorter than in Ch. in� mus (it re� ects in its name). Faunistic records on these tiny jumping spiders may be sometimes de- batable, because the taxonomic situation in this genus may be not clear, especially in older identi� cation keys. 14. Pellenes nigrociliatus – a rare species of rocky steppes. A larger number of re- cent records is available. It always indicates well-preserved warm habitats. In our introductory research, we found out 146 spider species. � is number is not de� nitive, of course. Some of documented species rank among infrequent or up to rare ones, including � eonina cornix, Phycosoma inornatum, Altella biuncata, Brom- mella falcigera, Mastigusa arietina, Diaea livens, Tmarus stellio, Chalcoscirtus brevi- cymbialis, Pellenes nigrociliatus and Haplodrassus kulczynskii. Several � ndings in this anthropogenous habitat are surprising. Later, we will deal with instructive analysis of the thermopreference (Fig. 3a) and the originality of habitats (Fig. 3b) from the perspective of individual species. We assumed that the share of thermophilous species will be prevailing – it is more than half: 52.83%. � e species of warm and moderate habitats together represent more than 97% of the spider fauna. � e analysis of the spider faunal composition according to originality of habitat is even more interesting. � e share of climax species is surprisingly high – 54.83%, despite this habitat is not at all ‘pristine’. Experts opinions on the climax, especially those of a conservative na- ture, require revision and comprehensive view of modern ecology. We suppose that some particular stages of the on-going succession process can be interpreted as ‘partial climax stages’ tending towards the ‘� nal’ arrangement of the biota. It is necessary to emphasize that the climax is not at a ‘de� nitive’ and ‘constant’ stage, on the contrary, it is a highly dynamic and variable process. Fig. 3. Spider faunal composition according to thermopreference – a): 1 – thermophilous, 2 – mesophil- ous, 3 – oreophilous species; Spider faunal composition according to originality of habitat – b): 1 – cli- max, 2 – semi-natural, 3 – disturbed, 4 – arti� cial habitats 1 2 3 64.50 44.18% 77.15 52.83% 4.35 2.99% 1 2 3 451.80 35.48% 80.05 54.83% 4.17 2.85% 9.98 6.84% a) b) V al er iá n Fr an c, M ic ha l F aš an ga 46 References Blick, T., Finch O.-D., Harms, K.-H., Kiechle, J., Kielhorn, K.-H., Kreuels, M., Malten, A., Martin, D., Muster, C., Nährig, D., Platen, R., Rödel, I., Scheidler, M., Staudt, A., Stumpf, H., Tolke, D. (2016). Rote Liste und Gesamtartenliste der Spinnen (Arachnida: Araneae) Deutschlands. Naturschutz und Biologische Vielfalt, 70(4), 383–510. [In German] Buchar, J., Vlastimil Růžička, V., Merrett, P. (2002). Catalogue of spiders of the Czech Republic. Praha: Peres. Dankaninová, L., Gajdoš, P. (2012). 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Pavúky (Araneae) nelesných stanovíšť vysťahovaného územia Hornej Cirochy. Folia Faunistica Slovaca, 19(3), 269–285. [In Slovak] S piders (A raneae) of the abandoned pasture near the village of M alé K ršteňany (W estern S lovakia) 49 Appendix 1 Tab. 1. Spiders (Araneae) of the abandoned pasture near the village of Malé Kršteňany Family / Species Codes of records �ermo- preference Originality of habitat Ecosozological status Sk Cz AK G Pl Pholcidae Pholcus opilionoides (Schrank, 1871) C-/1 + T (M) C SN D Dysderidae Harpactea hombergi (Scopoli, 1763) C-/1 + T M C SN H. rubicunda (C.L. Koch, 1839) A1/-+ T M C SN A Uloboridae Hyptiotes paradoxus (L. Koch, 1834) H1/- + M SN Araneidae Araneus diadematus (Clerck, 1757) E1/- + T M O C SN D A.(= Atea) triguttatus (Fabricius, 1793) B1/1 (T) M C SN NT A. sturmi (Hahn, 1831) C-/1 T M C SN NT Araniella cucurbitina (Clerck, 1757) E3/1 + T M C SN D A. opisthographa (Kulczyński, 1905) D1/- T M C SN Cyclosa conica (Pallas, 1772) B-/1 D-/1 (T) M C SN Gibbaranea bituberculata (Walckenaer, 1802) C-/1 D-/2 T (M) C (SN) NT G. gibbosa (Walckenaer, 1802) D3/3+ T M C SN VU Mangora acalypha (Walckenaer, 1802) B1/- + T M C SN D Nuctenea umbratica (Clerck, 1757) B-/1 E-/2 + (T) M C SN A Zilla diodia (Walckenaer, 1802) B-/1 C-/1 D1/1+ M C SN NT Mimetidae Ero aphana (Walckenaer, 1802) J-/1s T C (SN) LC NT Tetragnathidae Metellina (= Meta) merianae (Scopoli, 1763) F-/1 T M O C SN A Pachygnatha degeeri (Sundevall, 1830) B1/- D1/- T M (O) C SN D Tetragnatha montana (Simon, 1874) E1s/- (T) M C SN T. pinicola (L. Koch, 1870) E1/- T M C SN Linyphiidae Abacoproeces saltuum (L. Koch, 1872) E-/1 (T) M C SN V al er iá n Fr an c, M ic ha l F aš an ga 50 Acartauchenius scurrilis (O.P.- Cambridge, 1872)◄1 C-/1 T M C SN LC VU NT VU Agyneta (= Meioneta) rurestris (C.L. Koch, 1836) J2/1 Gd T M O C SN D Centromerus albidus (Simon, 1929)◄2 C-/1 M C (SN) NT ∅ ∅ ∅ ∅ Diplostyla concolor (Wider, 1834) B-/1 T M O C SN D Frontinellina frutetorum (C.L. Koch, 1834)◄3 E2/- T C EN NT VU VU Linyphia triangularis (Clerck, 1757) H-/3 T M C SN D Maso sundevalli (Westring, 1851) E-/1 T M (O) C SN Mermessus trilobatus (Emerton, 1882)◄4 J2/2 Gd alien sp. SN D Minicia marginella (Wider, 1834) E-/1 T M C SN VU NT NT Neriene clathrata (Sundevall, 1830) B2/- T M C SN Neriene peltata (Wider, 1834) B-/1 M C SN Porrhomma microphthalmum (O.P.-Cambridge, 1871) J1/1 Gd T M C SN D VU Tapinocyba insecta (L. Koch, 1869) B-/1 T M C SN Tenuiphantes tenuis (Blackwall, 1852) J-/1 Gd T M C SN D �eonina cornix (Simon, 1881)◄5 J-/1Gr T C NT VU NT VU VU �yreosthenius parasiticus (Westring, 1851) F-/1 M O C SN D Trematocephalus cristatus (Wider, 1834) E-/1 (T) M C SN Trichoncus a nis (Kulczyński, 1894)◄6 B-/1 E-/1 T M C SN VU EN EN T. auritus (L. Koch, 1869) A1/- T C VU ER Walckenaeria corniculans (O.P.- Cambridge, 1875) F-/1 M C SN Walckenaeria cucullata (C.L. Koch, 1836) B-/1 M (O) C SN W. dysderoides (Wider, 1834) B1/- (T) M C SN �eridiidae Asagena (= Steatoda) phalerata (Panzer, 1801) E1/- + T M C SN VU Cryptachaea (= Achaearanea) riparia (Blackwall, 1834) E2/- (T) M C SN Dipoena melanogaster (C.L. Koch, 1837) D1/1 E1/2 + T (M) C SN VU Enoplognatha ovata (Clerck, 1757) E1/- T M C SN D E. thoracica (Hahn, 1833) C-/1 D-/2E1/2+ T M C SN D S piders (A raneae) of the abandoned pasture near the village of M alé K ršteňany (W estern S lovakia) 51 Episinus truncatus (Latreille, 1809) E1/- F1/- T C SN NT Euryopis �avomaculata (C.L. Koch, 1836) E2/- T M C SN NT Heterotheridion nigrovariegatum (Simon, 1873) E2/- + T C SN VU NT VU Lasaeola (= Dipoena) tristis (Hahn, 1833) E1/2 F-/2 (T) M C SN NT NT Neottiura bimaculata (Linnaeus, 1767) E2/- T M C SN D Parasteatoda (= Achaearanea) lunata (Clerk, 1757) F1/- (T) M C SN Phycosoma inornatum (O.P.- Cambridge, 1861)◄7 (= Dipoena inornata) B1/- T M C SN EN CR ? VU VU Phylloneta (= �eridion) impressa (L.Koch, 1881) E3/- + T M (O) C SN D Platnickina (= Keijia) tincta (Walckenaer, 1802) D1/- E2/2 + T M C SN Robertus arundineti (O.P.- Cambridge, 1871) B-/1 D1/1 (T) M C SN D R. lividus (Blackwall, 1836) B2/1 T M O C SN Sardinidion (= �eridion) blackwalli (O.P.-Cambridge, 1871) E1/- T M C SN A VU Steatoda albomaculata (De Geer, 1778) J-/1s T M C SN NT NT S. triangulosa (Walckenaer, 1802) D1/- E1/- T D A �eridion mystaceum (L. Koch, 1870) B-/1s M C SN T. pinastri (C.L. Koch, 1872) E2/- T M C SN Dictynidae Altella biuncata (Miller, 1949)◄8 -/1Gr T C VU EN ER EN DD Dictyna (=Brigittea) latens (Fabricius, 1775) E1/- T C VU NT VU Dictyna uncinata (�orell, 1856) J-/1 (T) M C SN D Brommella falcigera (Balogh, 1935)◄9 D-/1 Gd T C EN EN EN EN Lathys humilis (Blackwall, 1855) B1/- C1/- T C VU Mastigusa arietina (�orell, 1871)◄10 B-/1 T M (O) C VU VU DD VU Titanoecidae Titanoeca quadriguttata (Hahn, 1833) H-/1 + T M C SN NT VU Amaurobiidae Amaurobius fenestralis (Ström, 1768) B-/1 + M O C SN V al er iá n Fr an c, M ic ha l F aš an ga 52 Agelenidae Eratigena (= Tegenaria) agrestis (Walckenaer, 1802) H-/2 T M C SN D Textrix denticulata (Olivier, 1789) H-/1+ T C NT VU Urocoras (= Coelotes) longispinus (Kulczyński, 1897) D-/1 + T C (SN) ∅ ∅ Zodariidae Zodarion germanicum (C.L. Koch, 1837) B-/1s C1/- + T M C SN VU VU VU Zodarion rubidum (Simon, 1914) E-/2 T C SN Lycosidae Alopecosa cuneata (Clerck, 1757) E-/1 T M (O) C SN D A. fabrilis (Clerck, 1757) D-/1 M C DD CR VU Alopecosa farinosa (Herman, 1879) (= accentuata (Latreille, 1817)) B1/1 T M SN NT A. sulzeri (Pavesi, 1873) C1/- T C VU EN EN Pardosa alacris (C.L. Koch, 1833) B1/- T (M) SN D DD Trochosa terricola (�orell, 1856) B-/1 E-/2+ T M (O) C SN D Pisauridae Pisaura mirabilis (Clerck, 1757) B-/1 E-/1+ T M C SN D �omisidae Coriarachne depressa (C.L. Koch, 1837) H-/1s E-/1s T M C SN NT Cozyptila blackwalli (Simon, 1875) B2/- + T C VU VU EN Diaea livens (= pictilis) (Simon, 1876)◄11 D1/- T M C CR EN DD Ebrechtella (= Misumenops) tricuspidata (Fabricius, 1775) D2/- T (M) C SN Misumena vatia (Clerck, 1757) D-/1+ T M C SN D Ozyptila claveata (Walckenaer, 1837) B2/- T M C NT Pistius truncatus (Pallas, 1772) C1s/- E1/- T M C SN NT Synema globosum (Fabricius, 1775) B1/- + T M C SN NT NT VU Tmarus piger (Walckenaer, 1802) D2/1 H-/3s+ T (M) C SN VU VU VU T. stellio (Simon, 1875)◄12 E-/1 T C LC EN ∅ Xysticus audax (Schrank, 1803) D1/- (T) M (O) C SN X. cristatus (Clerck, 1757) D2/-+ T M (O) C SN D X. erraticus (Blackwall, 1834) E2/- (T) M C SN NT X. kochi (�orell, 1872) F-/1 T M C SN (D) X. lanio (C.L. Koch, 1835) E1/- T M C SN NT Anyphaenidae Anyphena accentuata (Walckenaer, 1802) D-/1 E1/-+ T M C SN S piders (A raneae) of the abandoned pasture near the village of M alé K ršteňany (W estern S lovakia) 53 Clubionidae Clubiona comta (C.L. Koch, 1839) C-/1 E-/3 + T M C SN C. brevipes (Blackwall, 1841) J-/1 T (M) C SN NT Philodromidae Philodromus aureolus (Clerck, 1757) E-/1 T M C SN D P. buchari (Kubcová 2004) E2/- T M C SN NT P.margaritatus (Clerck, 1757) C-/1s T M C SN VU �anatus formicinus (Clerck, 1757) B2/- H1s/- T M C SN NT NT NT Tibellus oblongus (Walckenaer, 1802) B1/- T M C SN Salticidae Ballus chalybeius (Walckenaer, 1802) E1/- + T M C SN Carrhotus xanthogramma (Latreille, 1819) C1/- T C VU VU Dendryphantes rudis (Sundevall, 1833) H-/1 (T) M C SN Euophrys frontalis (Walckenaer, 1802) D1/- E1/- T M C SN Evarcha arcuata (Clerck, 1757) B1/-+ T M C SN E. falcata (Clerck, 1757) F-/1 (T) M C SN Evarcha laetabunda (C.L. Koch, 1846) E2/- T (M) C VU NT Heliophanus cupreus (Walckenaer, 1802) D3/- E3/- + T M C SN Chalcoscirtus brevicymbialis (Wunderlich, 1980)◄13 B2/- + T C VU EN Leptorchestes berolinensis (C.L. Koch, 1846) C1/- D1/- + T C (SN) VU EN VU Macaroeris (= Eris) nidicolens (Walckenaer, 1802) D1/- T C (SN) VU Marpissa muscosa (Clerck, 1757) B1/- D-/1+ T M C SN NT NT Pellenes nigrociliatus (Simon, 1875)◄14 C1/1 T C VU EN VU Pseudeuophrys lanigera (Simon, 1871) B1/- T M SN A P. obsoleta (Simon, 1868) C2/2 D1/1 T C VU NT EN VU Pseudicius encarpatus (Walckenaer, 1802) E1/- T M C SN LC NT EN Salticus scenicus (Clerck, 1757) E1/- T M C SN A S. zebraneus (C.L. Koch, 1837) D2/- T M C SN Sitticus pubescens (Fabricius, 1775) E3/1 + M C SN A NT Miturgidae Zora nemoralis (Blackwall, 1861) E-/1+ (T) M C SN NT V al er iá n Fr an c, M ic ha l F aš an ga 54 Z. pardalis (Simon, 1878) C1/1 T C SN CR Z. spinimana (Sundevall, 1833) A1/- B1/- T M O C SN D Eutichuridae Cheiracanthium elegans (�orell, 1875) E-/1 T C EN EN Ch. mildei (L. Koch, 1864) D-/1 T (M) SN A NT Gnaphosidae Callilepis schuszteri (Herman, 1879) (Appendix 2 – Fig. 4) E-/2 T C VU NT VU Drassodes lapidosus (Walckenaer, 1802) D1/- E1/- T M C SN Drassyllus (= Zelotes) prae�cus (L. Koch, 1866) F-/2 T M C SN VU D. pusillus (C.L. Koch, 1833) C1/- T M C SN (D) D. villicus (�orell, 1875) E-/2 T C VU NT NT Gnaphosa lucifuga (Walckenaer, 1802) C1/- H1/1 T C NT VU NT G. montana (L. Koch, 1866) (Appendix 2 – Fig. 5) E-/2 M O C SN NT VU VU EN G. opaca (Herman, 1879) F-/1 T C VU EN EN Haplodrassus kulczynskii (Lohmander, 1942)◄14 C-/1 T C LC VU VU NT DD Micaria fulgens (Walckenaer, 1802) B1/- T M C SN NT NT Scotophaeus quadripunctatus (Linnaeus, 1758) F-/2 T M C SN A S. scutulatus (L. Koch, 1866) A-/1 H-/1 T M C SN A Zelotes hermani (Chyzer, 1897) D-/1 T C ∅ NT ∅ Z. petrensis (C.L. Koch, 1839) B1/2 C-/1+ T M C SN Phrurolithidae Phrurolithus festivus (C.L. Koch, 1835) E 1/1 T M C SN Codes of records: A – March 28, 2015, B – April 17, 2015, C – April 24, 2015, D – May 12, 2015, E – June 6, 2015, F – June 18, 2015, G – June 26, 2015, H – October 2, 2015, I – October 30, 2015, J – March 10, 2017; 1/- one male, 1/2 – one male and two females, 1/-+ – one male, but more specimens observed, s – sub- adult specimen; Gd – P. Gajdoš det., Gr – P. Gajdoš rev. �ermopreference: T – thermophilous, M – mesophilous, O – oreophilous. Originality of habitat: C – climax, SN – semi-natural, D – disturbed, A – arti�cial habitat. Ecosozological status (ESS): Sk – Slovakia, Cz – Czech Republic, AK – Austria (the Carinthia county), Pl – Poland, G – Germany. Categories of ESS: CR – critically endangered, EN – endangered, VU – vulnerable, NT – near threatened, LC – least concern, DD – data de�cient, ER – extremely rare, ∅ – not documented in this country till now, ? – the species is surprisingly missing in referred Red List. S piders (A raneae) of the abandoned pasture near the village of M alé K ršteňany (W estern S lovakia) 55 Appendix 2 Fig. 5. Gnaphosa montana (L. Koch, 1866) – scarce species on edges of open deciduous forests (Photo. Ľ. Černecká) Fig. 4. Callilepis schuszteri (Herman, 1879) – quite abundant species on xerothermic habitats (Photo. Ľ. Černecká) V al er iá n Fr an c, M ic ha l F aš an ga 56 Abstract Abandoned pastures are frequent phenomenon throughout central Europe due to the reduction of grazing. �is also concerns the abandoned pasture near the village of Malé Kršteňany (Western Slovakia). We dealt with the research of spiders in this site in 2015 and spring of 2017. Despite it is a secondary anthropogenous habitat, the fauna of spiders is relatively rich, including infrequent or up to rare species, including �eoni- na cornix, Phycosoma inornatum, Altella biuncata, Brommella falcigera, Mastigusa arietina, Diaea livens, Tmarus stellio, Chalcoscirtus brevicymbialis, Pellenes nigrociliatus and Haplodrassus kulczynskii. �e species of warm and moderate habitats are highly prevailing here – together it is 97%. �e analysis of the spider faunal composition according to originality of habitat is even more interesting. �e share of climax species is surprisingly high – 54.83%, despite this habitat is not at all ‘pristine’. Experts opinions on the climax, es- pecially those of a conservative nature, require revision and a comprehensive view of modern ecology. We suppose that some particular stages of the on-going succession process can be interpreted as “partial climax stages” tending towards the ‘�nal’ arrangement of the biota. It is necessary to emphasize that the climax is not at the ‘de�nitive’ and ‘constant’ stage, on the contrary, it is a highly dynamic and variable process. Key words: abandoned pasture, Araneae, Malé Kršteňany, Slovakia, spiders, succession Received: [2017.05.18] Accepted: [2017.10.30] Pająki (Araneae) odłogowanych pastwisk w pobliżu miejscowości Malé Kršteňany (Zachodnia Słowacja) Streszczenie Ze względu na zmniejszenie wypasu, odłogowanie pastwisk jest zjawiskiem częstym w Europie Środkowej. Dotyczy to również zaniedbanych gospodarczo pastwisk w pobliżu miejscowości Malé Kršteňany (Zachod- nia Słowacja). W 2015 roku oraz wiosną 2017, podjęto badania pająków w okolicach wyżej wymienionej miejscowości. Mimo, że jest to wtórne siedlisko antropogeniczne, fauna pająków jest tu stosunkowo bogata. Obejmuje ona, zarówno nieczęste, jak i rzadkie gatunki, w tym: �eonina cornix, Phycosoma inornatum, Altella biuncata, Brommella falcigera, Mastigusa arietina, Diaea livens, Tmarus stellio, Chalcoscirtus brevi- cymbialis, Pellenes nigrociliatus i Haplodrassus kulczynskii. Dominują tutaj gatunki siedlisk ciepłych i umiar- kowanych (łącznie 97%). Ciekawostką jest analiza składu pająków według oryginalności siedliska. Udział gatunków klimaksowych jest tu zaskakująco wysoki – 54.83%, mimo, że siedlisko to nie jest „pierwotne”. W nowoczesnej ekologii, opinie specjalistów na temat klimaksu, zwłaszcza te konserwatywne, wymaga- ją rewizji i kompleksowego spojrzenia. Przypuszczamy, że pewne konkretne etapy postępującego procesu sukcesji można interpretować jako „częściowe etapy klimaksu”, zmierzające w kierunku „ostatecznego” roz- mieszczenia bioty. Należy podkreślić, że klimaks nie jest etapem „ostatecznym” i „stałym”, a wręcz przeciw- nie, jest to bardzo dynamiczny i zmienny proces. Słowa kluczowe: odłogowane pastwisko, Araneae, Malé Kršteňany, Słowacja, pająki, sukcesja Information on the authors Valerián Franc Lecturer of general zoology and systematic invertebrate zoology. He has deal with the research of beetles and spiders for more than 30 years, with special regard to the nature conservation and the problems of biological indication and the factors of endangerment of separate animal taxa. Michal Fašanga He is a student of biology and geography at the Faculty of Natural Sciences (Matej Bel University in Bans- ka Bystrica, Slovakia) with a special interest in entomology and arachnology.