Open AccessOccurrence of the Black lace-weaver spider, Amaurobius ferox, in caves
Author(s) -
Enrico Lunghi
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
acta carsologica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.362
H-Index - 24
eISSN - 1580-2612
pISSN - 0583-6050
DOI - 10.3986/ac.v49i1.7672
Subject(s) - cave , spider , predation , habitat , ecology , range (aeronautics) , geography , biology , archaeology , materials science , composite material
Subterranean habitats house a wide range of species which show a number of adaptations to prevailing ecological conditions. Spiders are among the most abundant predators in caves; however, most studies on cave spiders focus on species adapted to these habitats. This is the first study related to the occurrence of the Black lace-weaver spider, Amaurobius ferox, in caves. The species lacks adaptations to the subterranean habitats and has been observed within meters from the cave entrance all year round, except in late winter until early spring. Furthermore, its occupancy is positively related to the presence of other three cave-dwelling spiders: Metellina merianae, Meta menardi and Tegenaria sp.