Biotopic distribution of spider species (Aranei, Arachnida, Arthropoda) in the Dnistrov canyon and adjacent territories

The ecological timing of the distribution of groups of spiders (Aranei, Arachnida, Arthropoda) in different phytocomplexes in the conditions of the Dniester Canyon and adjacent territories was studied. Species complexes of spiders of 6 families were studied: Salticidae, Araneidae, Thomisidae, Pholcidae, Dictynidae, Lycosidae. A total of 69 species of spiders from these six families have been identified. The groups of spiders of the following phytocomplexes, ecotones and biotopes were studied: A - forest edges of broad-leaved beech and hornbeam forests; B - steppe areas on the hills; C – rocky areas with petrophilic vegetation, including the edges of karst gypsum and limestone craters; D – stony placers with petrophilic vegetation; E – tree crowns of broad-leaved beech and hornbeam forests; F – shrubs (mainly hawthorn and thistle); G – forest litter of beech and hornbeam forest; H - dead dry wood; And - wet biotopes and ecotones, wetlands and riverbanks. The largest number of species was found in the grassy edge of beech and hornbeam forests (А) – 53. The fewest species of spiders were found on dead wood (H) – 2 species and on the banks of rivers and wetlands (І) – 6. In grassy steppes 40 species of spiders were found in areas (B), on rocky areas with petrophilic vegetation (C) – 16 species, on rocky outcrops with petrophilic vegetation (D) – 16 species, in tree crowns of beech and hornbeam forests (E) – 8 species , on shrubs (hawthorn, blackthorn) (F) – 9 species, on the forest floor of broad-leaved forests (G) – 10 species of spiders of the studied families. Only 1 species of spiders - Xysticus bifasciatus C. L. Koch, 1837 (Thomisidae, Aranei, Arachnida, Arthropoda) was found in all investigated phytocomplexes. 5 detected species of spiders were found only in one of the investigated phytocomplexes. Most of the detected species have camouflage coloration, which is associated with certain types of plants, including flowers, on which these species of spiders hunt. An areological analysis was carried out for all detected species, and the faunal affinity of the spider communities of the different studied phytocomplexes was investigated. No new species for the fauna of Ukraine were discovered.