TY - JOUR

T1 - Stenotypy and eurytopy - Distribution models as a tool for estimating niche overlap in two spider species, Trochosa terricola and Eresus kollari (Araneae: Lycosidae/Eresidae).

AU - Krause, RH

AU - von Wehrden, Henrik

AU - Härdtle, Werner

AU - Schuldt, Andreas

AU - Aßmann, Thorsten

PY - 2013/6/25

Y1 - 2013/6/25

N2 - Distribution models are a standard tool of contemporary ecology and conservation biology, but literature on distribution modelling for spiders is sparse. The ecological niches of the eurytopic species Trochosa terricola Thorell 1856 (Lycosidae) and the endangered stenotopic species Eresus kollari Rossi 1846 (Eresidae) have been studied by means of comparing their ecological niche overlap. Both species share the same habitat allowing for environmental data to be gathered by pitfall trapping during the locomotive period of E kollari. Two methodological approaches were used to analyse the data: GLM (general linear model) and PCA (principle component analysis). Significant overlap of the two niches was found with the E kollari niche almost forming a subset within that of T terricola which spanned a much wider niche. Statistic modelling indicated that both species follow the ‘coexistence principle’ rather than the ‘competitive exclusion principle’. Moreover, the high number of capture rates revealed that T terricola wanders widely as opposed to following the sit-and-wait hunting strategy. It is recommended that a heathland management strategy should be developed that aims to keep the landscape continuously semi-open. As E kollari may serve as a target species or even an umbrella species, it can be assumed that both species will benefit from management measures aimed at maintaining a semi-open landscape.

AB - Distribution models are a standard tool of contemporary ecology and conservation biology, but literature on distribution modelling for spiders is sparse. The ecological niches of the eurytopic species Trochosa terricola Thorell 1856 (Lycosidae) and the endangered stenotopic species Eresus kollari Rossi 1846 (Eresidae) have been studied by means of comparing their ecological niche overlap. Both species share the same habitat allowing for environmental data to be gathered by pitfall trapping during the locomotive period of E kollari. Two methodological approaches were used to analyse the data: GLM (general linear model) and PCA (principle component analysis). Significant overlap of the two niches was found with the E kollari niche almost forming a subset within that of T terricola which spanned a much wider niche. Statistic modelling indicated that both species follow the ‘coexistence principle’ rather than the ‘competitive exclusion principle’. Moreover, the high number of capture rates revealed that T terricola wanders widely as opposed to following the sit-and-wait hunting strategy. It is recommended that a heathland management strategy should be developed that aims to keep the landscape continuously semi-open. As E kollari may serve as a target species or even an umbrella species, it can be assumed that both species will benefit from management measures aimed at maintaining a semi-open landscape.

KW - Sustainability Science

KW - Biology

KW - Eresus kollari Rossi 1846

KW - Trochosa terricola Thorell 1856

KW - Calluna vulgaris (L) Hull

KW - Ecosystems Research

KW - conservation management

KW - habitat modelling

KW - hunting strategy

KW - niche overlap

KW - pitfall trapping

U2 - 10.1127/entom.gen/34/2013/169

DO - 10.1127/entom.gen/34/2013/169

M3 - Journal articles

VL - 34

SP - 169

EP - 180

JO - Entomologia Generalis

JF - Entomologia Generalis

SN - 0171-8177

IS - 3

M1 - 34

ER -