Volume 131(2), pp. 145-157
Dries Bonte (1) (email for reprint) and Jean-Pierre Maelfait (1,2)
(1) University of Ghent, Dep. Biology, Laboratory for Animal Ecology, Zoogeography and Nature Conservation, K.L. Ledeganckstraat 35, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
(2) Laboratory for Entomology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Naamsestraat 59, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
(3) Institute of Nature Conservation, Kliniekstraat 25, B-1070 Brussels, Belgium
Life history, habitat use and dispersal of a dune wolf spider (Pardosa monticola (Clerck, 1757) Lycosidae, Araneae) in the Flemish coastal dunes (Belgium)
Abstract:
Pardosa monticola (Araneae, Lycosidae) is a rare spider in Flanders. It is restricted to thermophilic mesotrophic (dune and heath) grasslands. Its life cycle and its habitat preference in the coastal dunes were analysed by interpreting data of more than 200 year-round pitfall-samplings. Viable populations are found in short dune grasslands (grazed by rabbits) and in mown young dune slacks. The life cycle is mixed annual- biannual and hibernation takes place in the juvenile or sub-adult instars. In short grasslands, the species overwinters in the rough neighbouring vegetation, in dune slacks, in litter accumulations. In the latter, the species survives submerging during winter inundation.
Dispersal between suitable habitats can occur by male terrestrial movements via xerophylic habitats and dense grassland vegetation. Aeronautic dispersal is a rare phenomenon in the first instars that takes place only in periods of food shortage. Although a low proportion of the population exhibits this behaviour, this kind of dispersal can be of great importance for gene exchange between distant or strongly isolated populations. The implications and the importance of these data are discussed in relation to contemporary nature management.
Pardosa monticola, coastal dunes, life history, dispersal, habitat.
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