Spiders (Araneae) of the urban ecosystems of Kharkiv City (Ukraine)
Abstract
Urbanization is considered a significant driver of changes in ecosystems and a major factor affecting the natural env i ronment. In-depth studies of urban areas are necessary to develop conservation management strategies and foster healthy city environments. We examined spiders, which are abundant and diverse predatory arthropods that can readily inhabit urban spaces and serve as bioindicators. A total of 153 spider species of 24 families were recorded from Kharkiv City and its suburbs. The families Linyphiidae, Gnaphosidae, and Theridiidae were the most species-rich (16.3%, 13.1%, and 9.8% of the araneofauna, respectively). Four species ( Marinarozelotes adriaticus , Sosticus loricatus , Uloborus plumipes , and Zodarion rubidum ) were recorded in the Kharkiv region for the first time, while 32 species were new to Kharkiv’s urban ecosystems. The four species new to Kharkiv region are rare in Ukraine; besides, Kharkiv is the northernmost known locality for M. adriaticus. S. loricatus is synanthropic, while the others are presumably transported with planting material. The spider species richness was highest in Lisopark, a natural forest sector within the city (71 species), and lowest in five small green spaces in the city center (29 species combined) and at a household on the outskirts (27 species). The dominan t complex of ground-dwelling spiders mirrored those in natural and semi-natural habitats: Pardosa alacris was dominant under tree canopies in botanical gardens, P. lugubris on the edges of tree plantations and some open grassy areas, P. fu l vipes and Alopecosa pulverulenta on grassy slopes and park lawns, and Xerolycosa miniata in the most disturbed habitats in households and botanical gardens. Regarding habitat preferences, most of the spider species belonged to forest (29.2%), forest-grassland (20.9%), or grassland (12.2%) elements. Generalists made up 8.5%. This ratio of ecological groups r e flects the city’s geographic position on the border between the forest-steppe and steppe natural zones.References
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