07 Oca 2025 Salı
Seasonal changes arachnids diversity in the Pirsaat-Jeyrankechmyaz interfluve under conditions of temporary ponds formation
Abstract : Seasonal variability of diversity and abundance of arachnids (Arachnida) in the Pirsaat-Jeyrankechmyaz interfluve located between the southeastern slope of the Main Caucasian Ridge and the Caspian Sea was studied. In this area, in years after snowy winters and heavy spring precipitation, many temporary ponds are formed. The ponds are most full in March-April, and in July they dry up completely or almost completely. Material was collected in April, July and September. Representatives of 6 orders of the class Arachnida were noted: Scorpiones, Solifugae, Opiliones, Trombidiformes, Ixodida, Araneae. According to the total number of identified species, the order Araneae dominated (60 species in 16 families). The most representative families were Lycosidae and Linyphiidae (10 and 8 species respectively), Gnaphosidae and Araneidae (7 species each). The remaining 12 families were represented by 1-5 species. In April, only 39 species of arachnids were noted, in July – 55 species. The seasonal dynamics of the number of spiders of the families Araneidae, Linyphiidae, Lycosidae, Agelenidae, Gnaphosidae, Dictynidae, Salticidae and Thomisidae was characterized by a maximum in April and a decrease in this indicator in July. In July, against the background of a general decrease in the number of araneofauna, an increase in its species composition was observed due to representatives of the families Theridiidae, Dysderidae, Corinnidae, Miturgidae, Oonopiidae, Philodromidae, Pisauridae and Zodariidae. In September, the arachnid sample differed little in diversity and number of adult individuals from the July sample, but an influx of young individuals of early ontogenetic stages was noted.