Arachnids of Giant Mountains National Park

Study Extent

The pitfall traps were applied to collect specimen in following terms: 23.5.-8.8.2018, 8.8.-31.10.2018, 31.10.2018-22.5.2019, 22.5.-7.8.2019, 7.8.-6.11.2019, 6.11.2019-20.5.2020. There were always two pitfall traps lines (5 traps per each line) at 6 collecting sites. The collecting sites were: Cerny Dul (50.6394444N, 15.7029722E and 50.6393333N, 15,704E) Herlikovice (50.6542222N, 15.5950278E and 50.6525N, 15.5948611E) Paseky nad Jizerou (50.7243611N, 15.3844167E and 50.7254722N, 15.3859167E) Rokytnice nad Jizerou (50.7397222N, 15.4840278E and 50.7398611N, 15.4848056E) Strazne (50.6663333N, 15,6176389E and 50.6641111N, 15.6168889E) Vitkovice (50.686N, 15.5097778E and 50.67925N, 15.5176944E)

Sampling

On all sites, from the end of May 2018 to the end of May 2020, lines of five ground or pitfall traps were placed for capturing epigeic invertebrates (species predominantly active on the soil surface, with considerable overlap with species commonly included in soil fauna).

Method steps

1. The pitfall traps with an 8 cm diameter opening were equipped with aluminum roofs painted green to prevent them from being flooded by rainwater. A 4% aqueous solution of formaldehyde served as the fixing fluid. Collection of captured animals, replacement of the fixing fluid, and any necessary repairs occurred three times a year: at the end of May, before mid-August, and at the end of October or the beginning of November. The following taxonomic groups were processed: spiders (Araneae) and harvestmen (Opiliones). The material was preserved in an 70% ethanol and gradually determined to the species level.

N/A

1. Gnaphosidae
   rank: family
2. Arthropoda
   rank: phylum
3. Thomisidae
   rank: family
4. Tetragnathidae
   rank: family
5. Lycosidae
   rank: family
6. Linyphiidae
   rank: family
7. Araneae
   rank: order
8. Phalangiidae
   rank: family
9. Opilionida
   rank: order
10. Animalia
    rank: kingdom
11. Arachnida
    rank: class

Six selected locations covered approximately two-thirds of the west-east length of the Giant Mountains National Park from the western edge in Paseky nad Jizerou to Černý Důl. These areas were situated at altitudes ranging from 664 to 775 meters, creating an elevation gradient of almost exactly 100 meters, with an average elevation of 715 meters above sea level.