61 Annales Universitatis Paedagogicae Cracoviensis Studia Naturae, 5: 61–65, 2020, ISSN 2543-8832 DOI: 10.24917/25438832.5.4 Valerián Franc1*, Vladimír Hemala2 1Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Matej Bel University, Tajovského 40, 97401 Banská Bystrica, Slovakia; *valerian.franc@umb.sk 2Department of Botany and Zoology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kotlářská 2, CZ-611 37 Brno, Czechia New remarkable records of myrmecophilous spiders (Araneae) in Slovakia Introduction Myrmecophilous spiders rank among little known and ‘hidden’ arthropods, deserving of increased attention (Nelson, Jackson, 2009). Myrmecophiles are arthropods that live in or near ant nests and are considered true symbionts. Myrmecomorphy in spi- ders is generally considered a type of Batesian mimicry in which spiders gain pro- tection from predators through their resemblance to aggressive or unpalatable ants. Selection pressure from spider predators and egg-sac parasites may trigger greater integration of myrmecophilous spiders into ant colonies. �e adaptations by which this integration is possible are not well understood, although it is hypothesised that most spider myrmecophiles are chemical mimics and some are even phoretic on their hosts (Cushing, 1997, 2012). �e aim of our research was to present the distribution of three rare myrmecophil- ous spiders in Slovakia. Methods Over several years, we carried out occasional research on myrmecophilous arthropods in Slovakia. We applied current methods of sampling, particularly individual explora- tion under stones and si�ing the detritus of Formica genus ant colonies. Old and undated records were not included in the record summary. �e geograph- ic coordinates of the sites were included only for thoroughly localised records. �e four-digit numeric code, DFS (Databank of Fauna of Slovakia), is only cited for several inaccurately localised records, where the coordinates were not clearly determinable. Other records with a three-digit numeric code were cited according to the Code of the geomorphological units of Slovakia. V al er iá n Fr an c, V la di m ír H em al a 62 Results and discussion Linyphiidae 1) Acartauchenius scurrilis (O. P.-Cambridge, 1873) – occurs sporadically and scarcely in xerothermic grasslands and also live near ants (Nentwig et al., 2020). It was documented also warm dry oak forests, sand habitats, stone habitats, etc. and from anthropogenic habitats (e.g. vineyards). Host ants: Lasius niger L., L. �avus Fabricius, Formica rufa L. and Tetramorium caespitum L. (Cushing, 1997; Buchar, Růžička, 2002). Obenberger (1949) and Miller (1971) mentioned only T. caespitum. Apparently, it highly prefers the last ant species (Franc, 2007). Recent record: Domaníky (48°15ʹ35.30” N, 18°58ʹ44.08” E, 208 m a. s. l.), andesite rocky grassland, in the colony of T. caespitum, May 4, 2020, 3 ♂ and 2 ♀. A relatively large number of records from Slovakia are available (Gajdoš et al., 1999; Franc, 2007). �e further recent record: Jurský Šúr surroundings (7769), April 2009 – 2011, 2 specimens (Dankaninová, Gajdoš, 2012); Malé Kršteňany (7376), April 2015 (Franc, Fašanga, 2017); Dolné Vestenice (7276), April – May 2010 (Melicherčíková, 2010). 2) �yreosthenius biovatus (O. P.-Cambridge, 1875) – occurs sporadically and rarely together with ants (Nentwig et al., 2020) especially in forests and grasslands of warmer areas, though it may be locally abundant. Host ants: Formica polyctena Foerster, F. pratensis Retzius, F. fusca L. and F. san- guinea Latreille (Cushing, 1997; Buchar, Růžička, 2002), also F. lugubris Zetterstedt (Robinson, 1998). Miller (1971) mentioned the same ant species except as F. polyctena, while Obenberger (1949) noted only F. pratensis and F. rufa. It has also occasionally been recorded away from ant nests (Roberts, 1987). Recent records: Hajnáčka (48°12ʹ46.74” N, 19°56ʹ17.93” E, 290 m a. s. l.) in the colony of Formica rufa in the older deciduous forest (beech, oak and hornbeam) Feb- ruary 17, 2019, more than 10 ♀ V. Franc and V. Hemala lgt.; Banská Štiavnica – the ‘Little Water Damʹ (48°28ʹ05.48ʺ N, 18°53ʹ03.94ʺ E, 778 m a. s. l.), in the colony of F. rufa in a mixed forest February 14, 2020, 8 ♀, V. Franc and V. Hemala lgt. et coll. Only a few records from Slovakia are available, for example: the town of Banská Bystrica (7280) (Franc, 2007) and surroundings (Franc, 2005); the Hronská pahor- katina hills (804), Dudich et al. 1940 (in Gajdoš et al., 1999); Malanta near the town of Nitra (7674d) (Gajdoš, 1993) and in the town Žilina (6778) (Kratochvíl, Miller, 1937). It is a little-known species, due to its hidden way of life, but it actually seems to be rather abundant. N ew rem arkable records of m yrm ecophilous spiders (A raneae) in S lovakia 63 Hahniidae 3) Mastigusa arietina (� orell, 1871) – this scattered species occurs rarely in warm habitats, especially open forests (Fig. 1) and on xerothermic slopes. � ey live under bark or in formicaries (Nentwig et al., 2020). Host ants: in the nests of the ants Lasius brunneus and L. fuliginosus (Brian, 1977). � ey are not speci� ed in the literature, it obviously may live together with a large range of ant species. New recent records: Jalovec (49°09ʹ28.00ʺ N, 19°37ʹ54.70ʺ E, 768 m a. s. l.), in the colony of Formica rufa near the chapel (Fig. 1), March 10, 2019, 1 ♀ and 2 juveniles V. Franc and V. Hemala lgt. � is mountain record at the foot of the Západné Tatry Mts is highly notable!; Banská Štiavnica – the ‘Little Water Dam’ (48°28ʹ05.48ʺ N, 18°53ʹ03.94ʺ E, 778 m a. s. l.), in the colony of F. rufa in mixed forest February 14, 2020, 1 ♀ and 1 juvenile, V. Franc and V. Hemala lgt. et coll. � e following records from Slovakia are available, for example: the Rohy National Nature Reserve near the town of Detva (7482a/c), in a under-stone colony of Lasius niger, March 3, 1991, 1 ♂; the village of Plášťovce (7879b), in the colony of Messor muticus Nylander, on a xerothermic slope, April 1, 1994, 2 ♀ [together with the very rare leiodid-beetle Attaephilus arenarius Hampe!]; the Rykynčice village (7779d), in the same circumstances, April 9, 1994, 2 ♂, 1 ♀, all records V. Franc and A. Hanzelová lgt.; the village of Nedelište (7682a/b), in a colony of Lasius alienus Foerster in a xero- thermic oak forest, April 22, 2000, 1 ♂ V. Franc lgt. (Franc, 2007); the Zobor National Nature Reserve near the town of Nitra (7674), April 29, 1978 (Gajdoš, Krumpál, 1987); Fig 1. � e colony of red wood ant Formica rufa L. near the village of Jalovec in the Západné Tatry Mts (Photo. V. Hemala) V al er iá n Fr an c, V la di m ír H em al a 64 Jurský Šúr surroundings: Malé Nové Hory (7769), April 2009 – 2011 (Dankaninová, Gajdoš, 2012); Ruské (49°7.970ʹ N, 22°20.443ʹ E, 568 m), 1 ex (Žila, Gajdoš, 2015). Identi�ed also in undated records from the Slovenský kras Mts. (060) J. Svatoň lgt. (Gajdoš et al., 1999) and the Urpín hill near the town of Banská Bystrica (7280d) (Svatoň, 1985). Con�ict of interest �e authors declare no con�ict of interest related to this article. References Brian, M.V. (1977). Ants. London: Collins New Naturalist. 223 pp. Buchar, J., Růžička, J. (2002). 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Abstract �e authors of this article provide data on the occurrence and ecology of three little-known myrmecophil- ous spiders (Acartauchenius scurrilis O.P.-Cambridge, �yreosthenius biovatus O.P.-Cambridge and Masti- gusa arietina �orell) in Slovakia. �e mountain record of M. arietina at the foot of the Západné Tatry Mts is especially remarkable. Key words: Araneae, faunistic, myrmecophiles, spiders Received: [2020.07.07] Accepted: [2020.09.08] Nowe i niezwykłe notowania myrmecofilnych pająków (Araneae) na Słowacji Streszczenie Autorzy tego artykułu podają dane o występowaniu i ekologii trzech mało znanych pająków myrmeko�l- nych (Acartauchenius scurrilis O. P.-Cambridge, �yreosthenius biovatus O. P.-Cambridge i Mastigusa arieti- na �orell) na Słowacji. Zwłaszcza górskie notowanie M. arietina u podnóża Zachodnich Tatr jest bardzo niezwykłe. Słowa kluczowe: Araneae, faunistyczny, myrmeko�le, pająki Information on the authors Valerián Franc He is a lecturer of general zoology and systematic invertebrate zoology. He has deal with the rese- arch 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. Vladimír Hemala He is interested in phenology and distribution of bugs (Hemiptera sp.) in Europe.