Arachnid Fauna (Araneae and Opiliones) from the Castro Verde Special Protection Area, southern Portugal

José Barrientos; Carlos Prieto; Sílvia Pina; Sérgio Henriques; Pedro Sousa; Stefan Schindler; Luís Reino; Pedro Beja; Joana Santana

doi:10.3897/BDJ.11.e110415

Biodiversity Data Journal : Taxonomy & Inventories

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Taxonomy & Inventories

Arachnid Fauna (Araneae and Opiliones) from the Castro Verde Special Protection Area, southern Portugal

‡ c/ Balmes, 181, 3º, 2ª. 08006, Barcelona, Spain

§ Departamento de Zoología y Biología Celular Animal, Facultad de Ciencia y Tecnología, Universidad del País Vasco (UPV/EHU). Apdo. 644, 48080, Bilbao, Spain

| CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Campus de Vairão, Universidade do Porto, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal

¶ CIBIO, Centro de Investigação em Biodiversidade e Recursos Genéticos, InBIO Laboratório Associado, Instituto Superior de Agronomia, Universidade de Lisboa, Tapada da Ajuda, 1349-017, Lisboa, Portugal

# Global Center for Species Survival, Indianapolis Zoo, Indianapolis, Indiana, United States of America

¤ International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Species Survival Commission (SSC), Spider and Scorpion Specialist Group, Gland, Switzerland

« Community Ecology and Conservation, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Community Ecology and Conservation Research Group, Kamýcká 129, CZ-165 00, Prague, Czech Republic

» BIOPOLIS Program in Genomics, Biodiversity and Land Planning, CIBIO, Campus de Vairão, 4485-661, Vairão, Portugal

Corresponding author: José A. Barrientos (joseantonio.barrientos@uab.es), Joana Santana (joanafsantana@cibio.up.pt)

Academic editor: Jeremy Miller

Received: 02 Aug 2023 | Accepted: 25 Oct 2023 | Published: 06 Dec 2023

This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY 4.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.

Citation: Barrientos JA, Prieto CE, Pina S, Henriques SS, Sousa P, Schindler S, Reino L, Beja P, Santana J (2023) Arachnid Fauna (Araneae and Opiliones) from the Castro Verde Special Protection Area, southern Portugal. Biodiversity Data Journal 11: e110415. https://doi.org/10.3897/BDJ.11.e110415

Abstract

Background

With the increasing recognition of the significance of arachnid conservation, it is crucial to allocate greater efforts towards implementing targeted monitoring programmes. Despite recent studies, our understanding of arachnid populations in Portugal remains limited. This study serves as the initial inventory of arachnids (Araneae and Opiliones) within the Castro Verde Special Protection Area (SPA) located in Beja, southern Portugal. The surveys were conducted during the spring of 2012 across 80 open grasslands that were grazed by cattle and sheep.

New information

A total of 71 species of Araneae and two species of Opiliones have been identified. Notably, three spider species, namely Argenna subnigra, Civizelotes ibericus and Walckenaeria cucullata, are documented for the first time in Portugal. Additionally, two harvestmen species (Dasylobus ibericus and Homalenotus buchneri) and 14 spider species (Cheiracanthium pennatum, Haplodrassus rhodanicus, Marinarozelotes minutus, Tapinocyba algirica, Agraecina lineata, Tibellus macellus, Talavera petrensis, Tetragnatha intermedia, Dipoena umbratilis, Enoplognatha diversa, Neottiura uncinata, Ruborridion musivum, Theridion pinastri and Xysticus grallator) are recorded for the first time in the Beja District. The occurrence of each documented species within the SPA, including family and species details, is presented, underscoring the significance of the Castro Verde SPA for arachnid conservation. These findings contribute novel insights into the biodiversity of the Castro Verde SPA, emphasising the necessity of incorporating this area into arachnid diversity conservation efforts.

Keywords

Alentejo, biodiversity, faunistic, grassland, open farmland, open habitats, Arachnida, taxonomy

Introduction

The increasing concern for biodiversity conservation has prompted a rethinking of agricultural management and conservation planning. However, to construct a comprehensive understanding of the impact of agricultural policies, it is essential to study all components of the ecosystem's biodiversity. Several studies (Losey and Vaughan 2006, Schmitz et al. 2017, Schowalter 2017, McCary and Schmitz 2021) emphasise the need to consider the role of invertebrates, given their global dominance in terms of species richness, abundance, biomass and their crucial contributions to ecosystem functioning. However, regional and international conservation planning often neglects invertebrates, with only a few emblematic groups receiving attention. This neglect is particularly evident for small species with limited dispersal abilities and narrow distribution ranges, which constitute the majority of Earth's biota and include many local endemics. Arachnids are particularly endangered by the drastic increase in environmental disturbances worldwide, including pesticide use, deforestation, soil and air pollution, fires and livestock grazing (Cardoso et al. 2020). However, due to the lack of ecological knowledge for the vast majority of species, it is extremely challenging to accurately report on their conservation status (Pinto-da-Rocha et al. 2007). Therefore, it is important to recognise the importance of these overlooked invertebrates and include them in conservation strategies (Pinto-da-Rocha et al. 2007, Cardoso et al. 2011b).

Spiders (Arachnida, Araneae), with over 51,000 described species (World Spider Catalog 2023), play a crucial role in ecosystems as both important food sources for higher trophic levels (e.g. reptiles, birds, mammals) and predators in terrestrial ecosystems. They provide valuable ecosystem services by controlling arthropod pests in agroecosystems, benefitting humans (King and Hardy 2013, Nyffeler and Birkhofer 2017, Michalko et al. 2019). Despite their ecological significance and diversity, spiders are often overlooked in conservation policies compared to other groups (Milano et al. 2021). While Europe is home to 4,154 spider species, only a small fraction has been assessed for extinction risk by the IUCN Red List of Threatened species (IUCN 2021), in contrast to the comprehensive assessments conducted for 97% of European butterflies (van Swaay et al. 2010) and dragonflies (Kalkman et al. 2010). The EU Habitats Directive includes only one out of the 4,154 spider species, while 50 butterfly species out of 496 and 16 dragonfly species out of 143 are listed, highlighting a notable taxonomic bias even within invertebrates (Cardoso 2011,Cardoso et al. 2011b, Milano et al. 2021). Currently, only eight European spider species are listed on the IUCN Red List and the legislation of 19 European countries formally mentions 178 species (Milano et al. 2021). This taxonomic bias in biodiversity conservation is a result of data deficiencies, biased policy, research priorities and lack of public support (Cardoso et al. 2011a). Such inequities have significant implications for scientific research and conservation priorities, stressing the urgent need for more comprehensive assessments of the conservation status of spider species. On the other hand, while harvestmen (Arachnida, Opiliones) exhibit lower diversity compared to other spiders, representing approximately 13% of spider diversity, there are still about 6,673 extant described species (Kury et al. 2023). They are generalist predators although they do not reject scavenging, fungi or plant matter (Pinto-da-Rocha et al. 2007). Currently, no European harvestmen are listed on the IUCN Red List and only 22 species are listed worldwide.

The Mediterranean Basin harbours the highest spider diversity in Europe, yet conservation efforts in this region are insufficient, both in terms of assessments and the establishment of national or regional legislation (Milano et al. 2021). In Spain, for example, with its rich araneofauna comprising 1,386 spider species, only 10 species are listed in the National Red Book (Verdú et al. 2011). In mainland Portugal, there are 829 known spider species (Branco et al. 2019, de Biurrun et al. 2019) and only one species, Macrothele calpeiana (Walckenaer, 1805), is included in the Annex IV of the EU Habitats Directive. In respect to harvestmen, the Iberian harvestmen fauna includes 139 species; currently, only one species (Maiorerus randoi Rambla, 1983 from Canary Islands) is included in the “Catálogo Español de Especies Amenazadas” (Verdú et al. 2011; updated by the Ministerio para la Transición Ecológica y el Reto Demográfico (2023)). In addition, only about 37 species (plus Ramblinus spinipalpis (Roewer, 1911) from Madeira Island) are known from Portugal, representing less than 1/20 of the Portuguese spider diversity. These figures highlight the need for further research and to implement measures to protect the diverse arachnid populations in the Mediterranean Basin.

In this study, we present the first systematic inventory of the Arachnid fauna in the Castro Verde Special Protection Area (SPA). The SPA is a Mediterranean High Natural Value open farmland primarily designated for the conservation of steppe birds under the European Union (EU) Birds Directive (79/409/EEC) (Santana et al. 2013). While the biological and conservation importance of birds in the Castro Verde SPA has been well recognised, there is limited knowledge about its value for other groups, particularly arthropods (but see Pina et al. (2017) and Vasconcelos et al. (2019)). Prior to this study, information on arachnids in this area was limited to sporadic captures (Silva 2004). However, in previous works carried out in the Beja District (Baixo Alentejo), we find occasional information on certain species and their distribution in the region. These works, include Bacelar (1933), Bacelar (1935), Bacelar (1940), Machado (1941), Senglet (1972), Ferrández (1986), Ferrández (1991), Ferrández (1996), Méndez (2003), Pekár et al. (2003), Silva (2004), Pekár and Cardoso (2005), Decae et al. (2007), Bosmans et al. (2010), Carvalho et al. (2011), Pekár et al. (2011), Bolzern et al. (2013), Krehenwinkel and Tautz (2013), Lissner and Bosmans (2016). Undoubtedly, the most relevant insights are derived from the studies conducted in the Guadiana River Natural Park (Cardoso 2004,Cardoso et al. 2009) and the subsequent research on the olive groves surrounding Beja (Melic et al. 2016, Barrientos et al. 2020). Therefore, the data we provide here are of the utmost importance for evaluating the overall biodiversity of the Castro Verde SPA. We specifically focus on Arachnida to contribute to the expansion of our understanding on the fauna in Portugal. We present a comprehensive species list along with information on their respective habitats within this important open farmland landscape. Additionally, we compile data on the distribution of each species and provide relevant comments on the significance of the Castro Verde SPA for the conservation of Iberian Arachnida.

Materials and methods

Study area

The study was conducted in the open farmlands included in the Special Protection Area (SPA) of Castro Verde, southern Portugal (37^o44'N, 8^o00'W, Fig. 1). The climate is Mediterranean, with hot summers (30-35ºC on average in July), cold winters (5ºC in January) and with more than 75% of annual rainfall (500-600 mm) located between October and March (Moreira et al. 2005) and the landscape is gently undulated (100-300 m a.s.l.). The Castro Verde SPA was created in 1999 and subsequently enlarged in 2008 to its current size (85,345 ha) and is the most representative grassland landscape in Portugal. The SPA was specially designated for the conservation of steppe birds and their habitats (mainly Otis tarda, Tetrax tetrax and Falco naumanni). Most of the area has benefitted from agri-environmental schemes since 1995. The area was traditionally dominated by the rotation of rain-fed grain cereals and fallows typically grazed by sheep at low stocking densities (Ribeiro et al. 2014,Ribeiro et al. 2015), which provide habitat for grassland bird species of conservation concern (Delgado and Moreira 2000, Santana et al. 2013). However, by 2010, this system had shifted to specialised production of either cattle or sheep grazing (Ribeiro et al. 2014, Ribeiro et al. 2015), with declines in cereal and fallow land and increases in forage crops and permanent pastures (Ribeiro et al. 2014, Ribeiro et al. 2015, Santana et al. 2017). Due to historical land-use patterns and legal restrictions associated with the SPA, tree cover is very scarce, with eucalyptus (Eucalyptus sp.), oak (Quercus rotundifolia and Q. suber) and umbrella pine (Pinus pinea) plantations located mainly in the north and south of the study area (Moreira et al. 2007, Reino et al. 2009). Pine and oak plantations often have a grassy undergrowth grazed by livestock (Vasconcelos et al. 2019). Shrublands occur mainly in association with rivers and in the south-eastern part of the study area (Moreira et al. 2007, Reino et al. 2009).

Figure 1.

Location of the study area in southern Portugal, highlighting the Castro Verde Special Protection Area (SPA), the municipalities within the Beja District and the 80 grassland parcels. Illustration of the sampling scheme that comprised 10/12 sampling plots (10 in the example) positioned at 50-m intervals around the central point of each parcel. Each sampling plot consisted of a 3-m radius circle, in which invertebrates were collected using a Vortis suction sampler (10 sub-samples of 15 s duration).

Sampling design

Sampling was conducted in 80 open grassland parcels (Table 1) selected, based on a network of sampling sites established in 2012 to study the effects of grazing regimes on farmland birds (Ramos et al. 2021, Fig. 1). Specifically, parcels were selected following a stratified random procedure with some restrictions. We started by identifying fallows and permanent pastures grazed by either sheep or cattle, based on parcel-level statistical information from 2010 provided by the Portuguese Ministry of Agriculture (Ribeiro et al. 2014). To minimise potentially confounding effects of adjacent land uses and other non-crop elements within parcels, we excluded parcels less than 100 m from shrubland or forested areas, with shrub and tree cover > 5% and with a size <10 ha. Then, we randomly selected 120 parcels and performed fieldwork to confirm land uses and select a balanced proportion of 80 fallow and permanent pastures, grazed by sheep and cattle.

Table 1.

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Sampling parcels identification; farm toponym; municipality; Latitude and Longitude coordinates (decimal degrees); number of sampling points; mean vegetation height (cm); and sampling date.

Parcel	Farm	Municipality	Latitude	Longitude	No points	Vegetation height	Sampling date
P4	Herdade das Mouras	Castro Verde	37.7745	-8.0233	10	18	15/04/2012
P6	Herdade de A de Neves da Marinha	Castro Verde	37.7145	-8.0462	10	23	24/04/2012
P9	COSA - Herdade de São Marcos	Castro Verde	37.6985	-7.949	10	11	25/04/2012
P11	Monte do Broco e Capitão	Castro Verde	37.7873	-8.0118	10	8	15/04/2012
P14	Lagoa da Mó	Castro Verde	37.7579	-8.0964	10	9	18/04/2012
P15	Lagoa da Mó	Castro Verde	37.7484	-8.0899	10	17	12/04/2012
P19	Herdade do Torrejão	Castro Verde	37.7544	-8.0831	10	8	26/04/2012
P21	Herdade da Barrigoa	Castro Verde	37.7723	-8.1588	10	16	21/04/2012
P23	Monte do Vale das Gretas	Castro Verde	37.6893	-7.97	12	14	03/04/2012
P25	Herdade dos Touris e Rolão	Castro Verde	37.6836	-7.9512	12	12	05/04/2012
P27	Herdade das Sesmarias	Castro Verde	37.707	-8.0663	10	15	24/04/2012
P34	Herdade do Tacanho e Merendeiros	Castro Verde	37.7458	-8.0638	10	7	16/04/2012
P35	Monte do Seixo	Castro Verde	37.6433	-7.962	12	10	04-05/04/2012
P36	Herdade dos Bispos	Castro Verde	37.7397	-8.1345	10	12	11/04/2012
P37	Herdade de São Marcos	Castro Verde	37.6889	-7.9175	12	10	09/04/2012
P43	Monte da Comenda	Castro Verde	37.7676	-8.1859	10	14	21/04/2012
P45	Monte das Fontes Barbas Velho	Castro Verde	37.7732	-8.06	10	12	13/04/2012
P47	Herdade do Almarginho	Castro Verde	37.6823	-7.9299	12	12	09/04/2012
P49	Herdade da Navarra	Castro Verde	37.7119	-8.0733	10	39	25/04/2012
P50	Herdade do Torrejão	Castro Verde	37.7535	-8.0662	10	24	16/04/2012
P51	Herdade do Torrejão	Castro Verde	37.7657	-8.0664	10	6	13/04/2012
P53	Herdade do Reguengo	Castro Verde	37.7337	-8.1174	10	13	20/04/2012
P54	Herdade do Roncanho	Castro Verde	37.7004	-8.0345	10	7	24-25/04/2012
P55	Herdade da Barrigoa	Castro Verde	37.7705	-8.1512	10	18	21/04/2012
P56	Herdade da Barrigoa	Castro Verde	37.7836	-8.1427	10	17	17-18/04/2012
P57	Monte da Azinheira	Castro Verde	37.7655	-7.9464	12	8	06/04/2012
P58	Herdade da Benviúda	Mértola	37.7227	-7.8467	12	6	07/04/2012
P61	Monte da Torre	Aljustrel	37.8079	-8.1286	10	26	05/05/2012
P67	Monte da Chaiça	Aljustrel	37.8065	-8.1157	10	19	12/04/2012
P70	Monte dos Janeiros	Castro Verde	37.7566	-8.1648	10	19	21/04/2012
P72	Cumeada Nova	Castro Verde	37.7876	-8.0504	10	14	13-15/04/2012
P73	Herdade dos Longos	Castro Verde	37.7791	-8.1176	10	21	18-19/04/2012
P78	Herdade de São Marcos	Castro Verde	37.7001	-7.9294	12	7	09/04/2012
P79	Monte da Chada	Castro Verde	37.704	-7.9165	12	9	07/04/2012
P81	Herdade de Reidias	Castro Verde	37.7379	-8.0949	10	9	20/04/2012
P83	Herdade do Álamo	Castro Verde	37.7831	-8.0797	10	28	06/05/2012
P86	Herdade das Mestras	Castro Verde	37.771	-8.1331	10	23	10/05/2012
P87	Herdade das Mestras	Castro Verde	37.7653	-8.1218	10	26	06/05/2012
P88	Herdade da Portela	Castro Verde	37.7226	-8.0775	10	14	25/04/2012
P89	Herdade do Carapetal	Castro Verde	37.788	-8.0934	10	33	06/05/2012
P92	Monte do Carregueiro	Aljustrel	37.8177	-8.1161	10	8	17/04/2012
P93	Herdade da Sobreira	Aljustrel	37.8152	-8.1477	10	15	17/04/2012
P96	Herdade dos Bispos	Castro Verde	37.7312	-8.1481	10	10	11/04/2012
P97	Cumeada Nova	Castro Verde	37.7814	-8.0537	10	12	13/04/2012
P102	Monte da Fonte	Castro Verde	37.7558	-7.9918	10	8	15/04/2012
P104	Herdade dos Touris e Rolão	Castro Verde	37.6756	-7.9494	12	6	04/04/2012
P107	Herdade das Mestras	Castro Verde	37.7651	-8.1105	10	14	18/04/2012
P108	Herdade dos Merendeiros	Castro Verde	37.7285	-8.0073	10	13	10/04/2012
P109	Monte da Achada	Castro Verde	37.7017	-8.0491	10	23	24/04/2012
P110	Monte da Perdigoa	Castro Verde	37.7469	-8.052	10	28	04/05/2012
P111	Monte da Perdigoa	Castro Verde	37.7541	-8.0548	10	6	16/04/2012
P112	Monte do Freire	Castro Verde	37.7195	-8.0913	10	11	20/04/2012
P113	Courela do Monte Novo	Castro Verde	37.7481	-8.0061	10	13	10/04/2012
P114	Herdade das Cuchilhas	Castro Verde	37.7281	-7.8779	12	10	07-08/04/2012
P116	Herdade dos Merendeiros	Castro Verde	37.7374	-8.0074	10	8	10/04/2012
P121	Monte do Tacanho	Castro Verde	37.7236	-8.0623	10	27	16/04/2012
P122	Herdade da Chaiça Velha	Castro Verde	37.7873	-8.107	10	16	12/04/2012
P123	Herdade das Bicadas	Castro Verde	37.7236	-8.1258	10	28	20/04/2012
P124	Herdade das Mestras	Castro Verde	37.7774	-8.1352	10	18	18/04/2012
P125	Herdade da Sobreira	Aljustrel	37.8075	-8.1603	10	24	17/04/2012
P126	Monte do Seixo	Castro Verde	37.6535	-7.9583	12	4	05/04/2012
P127	Herdade dos Montinhos	Castro Verde	37.7429	-8.1124	10	18	11/04/2012
P128	Herdade de Carriça-Viseus	Castro Verde	37.659	-7.9499	12	8	04/04/2012
P129	Herdade da Zibreira	Castro Verde	37.7928	-8.159	10	25	07-08/05/2012
P131	Herdade do Torrejão	Castro Verde	37.7617	-8.0773	10	17	04/05/2012
P132	Monte das Cabeceiras	Castro Verde	37.7705	-8.0808	10	18	06/05/2012
P133	Monte da Albergaria	Castro Verde	37.7439	-7.9964	10	17	26-28/04/2012
PA46	Monte da Chaiça	Aljustrel	37.8029	-8.0934	10	21	09-10/05/2012
PA57	Herdade de Corta Rabos	Aljustrel	37.8007	-8.1355	10	23	08/05/2012
PA166	Herdade dos Brunhachos	Castro Verde	37.7214	-8.0995	10	15	07/05/2012
PA260	Herdade de Reidias	Castro Verde	37.73	-8.0934	10	11	07/05/2012
PA297	Lagoa da Mó	Castro Verde	37.7486	-8.1063	10	32	09/05/2012
PA299	Lagoa da Mó	Castro Verde	37.7556	-8.1046	10	26	08/05/2012
PA349	Herdade das Mestras	Castro Verde	37.7716	-8.122	10	23	10/05/2012
PA388	Monte da Achada	Castro Verde	37.7065	-8.0565	10	16	10/05/2012
PA423	Herdade da Zibreira	Castro Verde	37.7893	-8.1488	10	33	08/05/2012
PA482	Amendoeira Nova	Castro Verde	37.7046	-8.0392	10	8	09/05/2012
PA505	Herdade do Reguengo	Castro Verde	37.7366	-8.1082	10	36	08/05/2012
PA527	Herdade dos Bispos	Castro Verde	37.7498	-8.1221	10	25	07/05/2012
PA999	Herdade dos Pereiros	Castro Verde	37.7703	-8.0307	10	24	09/05/2012

Spiders and harvestmen surveys

Sampling was conducted during 4 April - 9 May 2012 by JS and SH when the grass was dry (Eschen et al. 2012). The sampling scheme comprised 10/12 sampling plots positioned at 50-m intervals around the central point of each parcel (Fig. 1). Each sampling plot consisted in a 3-m radius circle, in which we collected 10 sub-samples of 15 s duration (total area per sample = 1.94 m²) using a Vortis suction sampler (Burkard Manufac-turing Co., Ltd., UK) (Fig. 1). Sub-samples were stored in vials with 70% ethanol. Vegetation height was also estimated for each plot by taking ten measurements at random locations within the plot using a 50 cm ruler and recording the highest point of vegetation projection within 3 cm of the ruler to the nearest half-centimetre (Ramos et al. 2021).

Sample’s study and identification

Each sample was cleaned at the CIBIO/InBIO laboratory in Lisbon. SP and JS conducted the initial sorting of the samples into major taxonomic groups using binocular microscopes and using relevant general bibliography. Therefore, arachnids constitute only one of several batches of invertebrate fauna collected for each sample. To facilitate the separation of invertebrates from soil debris and vegetation in the samples, a mixture of magnesium sulphate (MgSO₄) was added to the alcohol, causing the invertebrates to float (Zaborski and Cloyd 2004). Sorted invertebrates were preserved in 70% ethanol with 5% glycerine. Each vial was consistently labelled with the original capture data and a project-wide code: parcel-sampling plot-vial (e.g. 55-9-g).

The taxonomic identification of the Araneae was carried out by José A. Barrientos in his personal office, following the general guidelines: observation and manipulation with binocular microscopy and cold illumination and the help from the relevant bibliography (Simon 1914, Simon 1929, Simon 1932, Simon 1937, Locket and Millidge 1951, Wiehle 1956, Locket and Millidge 1953, Wiehle 1960, Locket et al. 1974, Roberts 1985, Roberts 1987, Roberts 1995, Nentwig et al. 2023). Where necessary, we have also relied on other literature; these references are detailed later in the text. From a nomenclatural perspective, we have followed the World Spider Catalog (2023). Juvenile specimens were identified whenever possible. When adult specimens were present in the sample, juveniles that matched their overall morphology unambiguously were assigned to the adult species. When adult specimens were not present, juveniles were identified to species level only if they presented morphological characters or colour patterns that allowed their identification to a specific species known to occur in the Iberian Peninsula.

The taxonomic identification of the Opiliones was carried out by Carlos E. Prieto at the Zoology Laboratory of the Basque Country University, following classical procedures (observation under binocular stereomicroscope, penis removal and temporal mounting for microscopical study) with the help of the relevant bibliography (Rambla 1967, Martens 1978, Prieto and Merino-Sáinz 2020).

Spider samples are deposited at JAB personal collection (Barcelona, Spain) and the harvestmen samples are deposited in the Zoology Coleccion of the Basque Country University (ZUPV). All the specimens reported in the manuscript are available upon request.

In this study, we provide a checklist of the studied material organised by the alphabetical order of the taxa "Checklist of the Arachnid Fauna (Araneae and Opiliones) from the Castro Verde Special Protection Area, Southern Portugal", which contains some comments on the different species recorded. The current distribution of each species in general and in the Iberian Peninsula is indicated together with a comment when our findings point to an extension of the known distribution range of the species. The number of males (♂♂), females (♀♀) and juveniles (jj) studied is indicated for each species, genus (doubtful species assignment, indet.) or family (doubtful genus assignment, indet.). The data collected for the present study were included in the dataset Arachnid fauna (Araneae and Opiliones) from the Castro Verde Special Protection Area, southern Portugal, which is available through GBIF (Barrientos et al. 2023, Suppl. materials 1, 2). We provide details of all the samples analysed, indicating the sampling plots where they were collected, the date of collection, the number of specimens (♂♂, ♀♀ and jj) and the municipality (and farm) to which they correspond. Then, we provide a table (Table 2) which compiles all previously mentioned arachnid records for the broader Beja District (Aranae: de Biurrun et al. (2019), Barrientos et al. (2020); Opiliones: Rambla (1967), Rambla (1970)) and the species colected in the Castro Verde SPA. The information given facilitates the comparison with the newly-generated data provided for the District.

Table 2.

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Arachnid fauna (Araneae and Opiliones) previously mentioned for the Beja District following: (a) de Biurrun et al. (2019); (b) Barrientos et al. (2020); (c) Rambla (1967); and (d) Rambla (1970) and for the Castro Verde Special Protection Area (this study, Barrientos et al. (2023)): NBd - New for Beja District; NPT - New for Portugal. The species collected in this study are highlighted in bold.

Order / Family	Genera	Species	Notes
Araneae Clerck, 1757
Agelenidae C. L. Koch, 1837	Agelena Walckenaer, 1805	A. labyrinthica (Clerck, 1757)	(a)
	Eratigena Bolzern, Burckhardt & Hänggi, 2013	E. atrica (C. L. Koch, 1843)	(a); (b)
		E. feminea (Simon, 1870)	(a); (b)
		E. montigena (Simon, 1973)	(a)
		E. picta (Simon, 1870)	(a); (b)
	Lycosoides Lucas, 1846	L. coarctata (Dufour, 1831)	(a); (b)
	Tegenaria Latreille, 1804	T. pagana C. L. Koch, 1840	(a)
	Textrix Sundevall, 1833	T. caudata L. Koch, 1872	(a)
Araneidae Clerck, 1757	Aculepeira Chamberlin & Ivie, 1942	A. armida (Audouin, 1826)	(a)
	Agalenatea Archer, 1951	A. redii (Scopoli, 1763)	(a)
	Araneus Clerck, 1757	A. diadematus Clerck, 1757	(b)
	Argiope Audouin, 1826	A. bruennichi (Scopoli, 1772)	(a)
		A. lobata (Pallas, 1772)	(a)
		A. trifasciata (Forsskål, 1775)	(a)
	Cyclosa Menge, 1866	C. algerica Simon, 1885	(a)
		C. insulana (Costa, 1834)	(a)
	Cyrtophora Simon, 1864	C. citricola (Forsskål, 1775)	(a); (b)
	Gibbaranea Archer, 1951	G. bruuni Lissner, 2016	(a)
	Hypsosinga Ausserer, 1871	H. albovittata (Westring, 1851)	(a); this study
	Larinia Simon, 1874	L. lineata (Lucas, 1846)	(b)
	Larinioides Caporiacco, 1934	L. patagiatus (Clerck, 1757)	(a)
		L. sclopetarius (Clerck, 1757)	(a)
	Leviellus Wunderlich, 2004	L. kochi (Thorell, 1870)	(a)
	Mangora O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1889	M. acalypha (Walckenaer, 1802)	(a); (b); this study
	Neoscona Simon, 1864	N. adianta (Walckenaer, 1802)	(a)
		N. subfusca (C. L. Koch, 1837)	(a); (b)
	Nuctenea Simon, 1864	N. umbratica (Clerck, 1757)	(a)
	Singa C. L. Koch, 1836	S. neta (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872)	(a)
Cheiracanthiidae Wagner,1887	Cheiracanthium C. L. Koch, 1839	C. pelasgicum (C. L. Koch, 1837)	(a)
		C. pennatum Simon, 1878	This study; NBd
		C. striolatum Simon, 1878	(a)
Clubionidae Simon, 1878	Clubiona Latreille, 1804	C. comta C. L. Koch, 1839	(a)
	Porrhoclubiona Lohmander, 1944	*P. genevensis (L. Koch, 1866)	(a)
		*P. leucaspis (Simon, 1932)	(a)
		*P. vegeta (Simon, 1918)	(a); (b); this study
Corinnidae Karsch, 1880	Castianeira Keyserling, 1879	C. badia (Simon, 1877)	(a)
Dictynidae O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1871	Archaeodictyna Caporiacco, 1928	A. consecuta (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872)	(a); (b)
	Argenna Simon, 1884	A. subnigra (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1861)	This study; NPT
	Brigittea Lehtinen, 1967	B. civica (Lucas, 1850)	(a)
	Marilynia Lehtinen, 1967	M. bicolor (Simon, 1870)	(a); (b); this study
	Nigma Lehtinen, 1967	N. puella (Simon, 1870)	(a); (b); this study
	Scotolathys Simon, 1884	S. simplex Simon, 1884	(a)
Dysderidae C. L. Koch, 1837	Dysdera Latreille, 1804	D. alentejana Ferrández, 1996	(a); (b)
		D. fuscipes Simon, 1882	(a)
		D. gamarrae Ferrández, 1984	(a)
	Harpactea Bristowe, 1939	H. minoccii Ferrández, 1982	(a); this study
		H. proxima Ferrández, 1990	(a)
		H. subiasi Ferrández, 1990	(a)
Eresidae C. L. Koch, 1845	Eresus Walckenaer, 1805	E. kollari Rossi, 1846	(a)
Filistatidae Ausserer, 1867	Filistata Latreille, 1810	F. insidiatrix (Forsskål, 1775)	(a); (b)
	Pritha Lehtinen, 1967	P. pallida (Kulczynski, 1897)	(a)
Gnaphosidae Banks,1892	Callilepis Westring, 1874	C. concolor Simon, 1914	(a); (b)
	Civizelotes Senglet, 2012	C. caucasius (L. Koch, 1866)	(a); (b)
		C. civicus (Simon, 1878)	(a); this study
		C. dentatidens (Simon, 1914)	(a)
		C. ibericus Senglet, 2012	This study; NPT
		C. medianus (Denis, 1936)	(a)
	Drassodes Westring, 1851	D. lapidosus (Walckenaer, 1802)	(a); (b)
		D. luteomicans (Simon, 1878)	(a)
		D. pubescens (Thorell, 1856)	(a)
		D. rubidus (Simon, 1878)	(a)
	Gnaphosa Latreille, 1804	G. alacris Simon, 1878	(a); (b)
		G. lucifuga (Walckenaer, 1802)	(b)
	Haplodrassus Chamberlin, 1922	H. dalmatensis (L. Koch, 1866)	(a)
		H. ibericus Melic, Silva, Barrientos, 2016	(a); (b)
		H. macellinus (Thorell, 1871)	(a)
		H. minor (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1879)	(a)
		H. rhodanicus (Simon, 1914)	This study; NBd
		H. rufipes (Lucas, 1846)	(a)
		H. signifer (C. L. Koch, 1839)	(a); (b)
	Leptodrassex Murphy, 2007	L. simoni (Dalmas, 1919)	(a)
	Leptodrassus Simon, 1878	L. albidus Simon, 1914	(a); (b); this study
		L. femineus (Simon, 1873)	(a)
	Marinarozelotes Ponomarev, 2020	M. bardiae (Caporiacco, 1928)	(a)
		M. fuscipes (L. Koch, 1866)	(a)
		M. holosericeus (Simon, 1878)	(a); (b)
		M. minutus (Crespo, 2010)	This study; NBd
		M. mutabilis (Simon, 1878)	(a)
	Micaria Westring, 1851	M. coarctata (Lucas, 1846)	(a)
		M. dives (Lucas, 1846)	(a)
		M. formicaria (Sundevall, 1831)	(a); (b)
		M. pallipes (Lucas, 1846)	(b)
		M. triguttata Simon, 1884	(a)
	Nomisia Dalmas, 1921	N. excerpta (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872)	(a); (b)
		N. exornata (C. L. Koch, 1839)	(b); this study
	Poecilochroa Westring, 1874	P. senilis (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872)	(a); (b)
	Prodidomus Hentz, 1847	P. amaranthinus (Lucas, 1846)	(a)
	Pterotricha Kulczyński, 1903	P. chazaliae (Simon, 1895)	(a)
		P. lesserti Dalmas, 1921	(a)
		P. simoni Dalmas, 1921	(a)
	Scotophaeus Simon, 1893	S. blackwalli (Thorell, 1871)	(a)
		S. dolanskyi Lissner, 2017	(a)
		S. scutulatus (L. Koch, 1866)	(b)
		S. validus (Lucas, 1846)	(a)
	Setaphis Simon, 1893	S. carmeli (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872)	(a); (b); this study
		S. parvula (Lucas, 1846)	(a)
	Zelominor Snazell & Murphy, 1997	Z. algarvensis Snazell, Murphy, 1997	(a)
	Zelotes Gistel, 1848	Z. aeneus (Simon, 1878)	(a)
		Z. callidus (Simon, 1878)	(a); (b)
		Z. cornipalpus Melic, Silva & Barrientos, 2016	(a); (b)
		Z. criniger Denis, 1937	(a)
		Z. egregioides Senglet, 2011	(b)
		Z. flagellans (L. Koch, 1882)	(a); (b)
		Z. fulvopilosus (Simon, 1878)	(a); (b); this study
		Z. gallicus Simon, 1914	(a)
		Z. laetus (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872)	(a)
		Z. lagrecai Di Franco, 1994	(a)
		Z. longipes (L. Koch, 1866)	(a)
		Z. manius (Simon, 1878)	(a)
		Z. pediculatus Marinaro, 1967	(b)
		Z. segrex (Simon, 1878)	(a); (b)
		Z. spadix (L. Koch, 1866)	(b)
		Z. tenuis (L. Koch, 1866)	(a); (b)
		Z. thorelli Simon, 1914	(a); (b)
		Z. wallacei Melic, Silva & Barrientos, 2016	(a); (b)
Hahniidae Bertkau, 1878	Hahnia C. L. Koch, 1841	H. nava (Blackwall, 1841)	(a)
Halonoproctidae Pocock, 1901	Ummidia Thorell, 1875	U. algarve Decae, 2010	(a)
HersiliidaeThorell, 1870	Hersiliola Thorell, 1869	H. macullulata (Dufour, 1831)	(a)
LeptonetidaeSimon, 1890	Teloleptoneta Ribera, 1988	T. synthetica (Machado, 1951)	(a)
Linyphiidae Blackwall, 1859	Agyneta Hull, 1911	A. fuscipalpa (C. L. Koch, 1836)	(a)
		A. pseudorurestris Wunderlich, 1980	(a); (b); this study
	Araeoncus Simon, 1884	A. humilis (Blackwall, 1841)	(a)
	Canariphantes Wunderlich, 1992	C. zonatus (Simon, 1884)	(a)
	Centromerus Dahl, 1886	C. minutissimus Merrett & Powell, 1993	(b)
		C. phoceorum Simon, 1929	(a); this study
		C. prudens (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1873)	(a)
		C. succinus (Simon, 1884)	(a)
	Didectoprocnemis Denis, 1950	D. cirtensis (Simon, 1884)	(a)
	Diplocephalus Bertkau, 1883	D. graecus (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1873)	(a); (b); this study
		D. marijae Bosmans, 2010	(a); this study
	Erigone Audouin, 1826	E. dentipalpis (Wider, 1834)	(a); this study
	Erigonoplus Simon, 1884	E. depressifrons (Simon, 1884)	(a)
	Lessertia Smith, 1908	L. dentichelis (Simon, 1884)	(a)
	Microctenonyx Dahl, 1886	M. subitaneus (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1875)	(a); (b); this study
	Microlinyphia Gerhardt, 1928	M. pusilla (Sundevall, 1830)	(a); (b)
	Oedothorax Bertkau, 1883	Oedothorax fuscus (Blackwall, 1834)	(a); (b); this study
	Ouedia Bosmans & Abrous, 1992	O. rufithorax (Simon, 1881)	(a); (b); this study
	Palliduphantes Saaristo & Tanasevitch, 2001	P. bolivari (Fage, 1931)	(a)
		P. stygius (Simon, 1884)	(a); this study
	Pelecopsis Simon, 1864	P. bucephala (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1875)	(a); (b); this study
		P. inedita (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1875)	(a); (b); this study
		P. susannae (Simon, 1915)	(a)
	Prinerigone Millidge, 1988	P. vagans (Audouin, 1826)	(a); (b); this study
	Sintula Simon, 1884	S. furcifer (Simon, 1911)	(a)
	Styloctetor Simon, 1884	S. romanus (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1873)	(a); (b); this study
	Tapinocyba Simon, 1884	T. algirica Bosmans, 2007	This study; NBd
	Tenuiphantes Saaristo & Tanasevitch, 1996	T. tenuis (Blackwall, 1852)	(b)
	Trichopterna Kulczyński, 1894	T. cucurbitina (Simon, 1881)	(a)
	Walckenaeria Blackwall, 1833	W. corniculans (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1875)	(a)
		W. cucullata (C. L. Koch, 1836)	This study; NPT
		W. dalmasi (Simon, 1915)	(a)
Liocranidae Simon,1897	Agraecina Simon, 1932	A. lineata Simon, 1878)	This study; NBd
	Agroeca Westring, 1861	A. annulipes Simon, 1878	(b)
	Liocranum L. Koch, 1866	L. majus Simon, 1878	(a)
	Mesiotelus Simon, 1897	M. mauritanicus Simon, 1909	(a)
		M. tenuissimus (L. Koch, 1866)	(a); (b)
	Scotina Menge, 1873	S. celans (Blackwall, 1841)	(a)
Lycosidae Sundevall,1833	Alopecosa Simon, 1885	A. accentuata (Latreille, 1817)	(a)
		A. albofasciata (Brullé, 1832)	(a); (b); this study
		A. simoni (Thorell, 1872)	(b)
	Arctosa C. L. Koch, 1847	A. cinerea (Fabricius 1777)	(a)
		A. lacustris (Simon, 1876)	(a)
	Hogna Simon, 1885	H. radiata (Latreille, 1817)	(a); (b); this study
	Lycosa Latreille, 1804	L. hispanica (Walckenaer, 1837)	(a)
	Pardosa C. L. Koch, 1847	P. hortensis (Thorell, 187)	(a)
		P. proxima (C. L. Koch, 1847)	(a); (b); this study
	Pirata Sundevall, 1833	P. tenuitarsis Simon, 1876	(a)
	Trochosa C. L. Koch, 1847	T. hispanica Simon, 1870	(a)
		T. ruricola (De Geer, 1778)	(a)
	Wadicosa Zyuzin, 1985	W. fidelis (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1972)	(a)
Mimetidae Simon, 1881	Ero C. L. Koch, 1836	E. aphana (Walckenaer, 1802)	(a); (b); this study
	Mimetus Hentz, 1832	M. laevigatus (Keyserling, 1863).	(a)
Miturgidae Simon, 1886	Zora C. L. Koch, 1847	Z. manicata Simon, 1878	(a)
		Z. silvestris Kulczyński, 1897	(a); this study
		Z. spinimana (Sundevall, 1833)	(a)
Nemesiidae Simon,1889	Iberesia Decae & Cardoso, 2006	I. machadoi Decae, Cardoso, 2006	(a); (b)
	Nemesia Audouin, 1826	N. athiasi Franganillo, 1920	(a)
		N. fagei Frade & Bacelar, 1931	(a)
		N. uncinata Bacelar, 1933	(a); (b)
Oecobiidae Blackwall, 1862	Oecobius Lucas, 1846	O. machadoi Wunderlich, 1995	(a); (b)
		O. maculatus Simon, 1870	(a)
	Uroctea Dufour, 1820	U. durandi (Latreille, 1809)	(b)
Oonopidae Simon, 1890	Oonops Templeton, 1835	O. tubulatus Dalmas, 1916	(a); this study
		O. tubulatus Dalmas, 1916	(a)
	Silhouettella Benoit, 1979	S. loricatula (Roewer, 1942)	(a); this study
Oxyopidae Thorell,1869	Oxyopes Latreille, 1806	O. heterophthalmus (Latreille, 1804)	(a); this study
		O. lineatus Latreille, 1806	(a); (b)
		O. mediterraneus Levy, 1999	(b)
		O. nigripalpis Kulczynski, 1891	(a); (b)
Palpimanidae Thorell, 1870	Palpimanus Dufour, 1820	P. gibbulus Dufour, 1820	(a); (b)
Philodromidae Thorell, 1869	Philodromus Walckenaer, 1826	P. albidus Kulczynski, 1911	(b)
		P. aureolus (Clerck, 1757)	(a)
		P. buxi Simon, 1884	(a)
		P. cespitum (Walckenaer, 1802)	(a)
		P. praedatus O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1871	(b)
		P. rufus Walckenaer, 1826	(a)
	Pulchellodromus Wunderlich, 2012	P. glaucinus (Simon, 1870)	(a)
		P. pulchellus (Lucas, 1846)	(a); this study
		P. ruficapillus (Simon, 1885)	(b)
	Thanatus C. L. Koch, 1837	T. atratus Simon, 1875	(b)
		T. fabricii (Audouin, 1826)	(b)
		T. lineatipes Simon, 1870	(a)
		T. vulgaris Simon, 1870	(a); (b); this study
	Tibellus Simon, 1875	T. macellus Simon, 1875	This study; NBd
PholcidaeC. L. Koch, 1850	Holocnemus Simon, 1873	H. hispanicus Wihle, 1933	(a)
		H. pluchei (Scopoli, 1763)	(a)
	Pholcus Walckenaer, 1805	P. opilionoides (Schrank, 1781)	(a)
		P. phalangioides (Fuesslin, 1775)	(a)
Phrurolithidae Banks, 1892	Liophrurillus Wunderlich, 1992	L. flavitarsis (Lucas, 1846)	(a); (b)
Pisauridae Simon, 1890	Pisaura Simon, 1886	Pi. mirabilis (Clerck, 1757)	(a); (b); this study
Salticidae Blackwall, 1841	Aelurillus Simon, 1885	A. luctuosus (Lucas, 1846)	(a); (b)
	Ballus C. L. Koch, 1850	B. chalybeius (Walckenaer, 1802)	(a); (b)
	Bianor G. W. Peckham & E. G. Peckham, 1886	B. albobimaculatus (Lucas, 1846)	(a)
	Chalcoscirtus Bertkau, 1880	C. infimus (Simon, 1868)	(a); (b); this study
	Cyrba Simon, 1876	C. algerina (Lucas, 1846)	(a); (b)
	Euophrys C. L. Koch, 1834	E. frontalis (Walckenaer, 1802)	(a); (b)
		E. gambosa (Simon, 1868)	(a); (b)
		E. herbigrada (Simon, 1871)	(a); this study
		E. nigripalpis Simon, 1937	(a)
		E. rufibarbis (Simon, 1868)	(a)
		E. sulphurea (L. Koch, 1867)	(a)
	Evarcha Simon, 1902	E. jucunda (Lucas, 1846)	(a); (b)
	Heliophanus C. L. Koch, 1833	H. agricola Wesolowska, 1986	(a)
		H. cupreus (Walckenaer, 1802)	(a)
		H. haymozi Logunov, 2015	(a)
		H. lineiventris Simon, 1868	(a); this study
		H. melinus L. Koch, 1867	(b)
	Icius Simon, 1876	I. hamatus (C. L. Koch, 1846)	(a); (b)
	Leptorchestes Thorell, 1870	L. mutilloides (Lucas, 1846)	(a)
		L. peresi (Simon, 1868)	(a)
	Macaroeris Wunderlich, 1992	M. moebi (Bösenberg, 1895)	(a)
	Menemerus Simon, 1868	M. semilimbatus (Hahn, 1829)	(a)
		M. taeniatus (L. Koch, 1867)	(b)
	Neaetha Simon, 1885	N. membrosa (Simon, 1868)	(a); (b)
	Pellenes Simon, 1876	P. arciger (Walckenaer, 1837)	(b)
		P. nigrociliatus (Simon, 1875)	(a); this study
	Phlegra Simon, 1876	P. bresnieri (Lucas, 1846)	(a); (b); this study
		P. fasciata (Hahn, 1826)	(a)
		P. sierrana (Simon, 1868)	(a); (b)
	Pseudeuophrys Dahl, 1912	P. erratica (Walckenaer, 1826)	(a)
		P. squamifer (Simon, 1881)	(a)
	Salticus Latreille, 1804	S. confusus Lucas, 1846	(a)
		S. propinquus Lucas, 1846	(a); this study
		S. scenicus (Clerck, 1757)	(a); (b)
	Talavera G. W. Peckham & E. G. Peckham, 1909	T. petrensis (C. L. Koch, 1837)	This study; NBd
	Thyene Simon, 1885	T. imperialis (Rossi, 1846).	(a)
Scytodidae Blackwall, 1864	Scytodes Latreille, 1804	S. velutina Heineken & Lowe, 1832	(a); (b)
Segestriidae Simon, 1893	Ariadna Audouin, 1826	A. insidiatrix Audouin, 1826	(a)
	Segestria Latreille, 1804	S. florentina (Rossi, 1790)	(b)
Sicariidae Keyserling, 1880	Loxosceles Heineken & Lowe, 1832	L. rufescens (Dufour, 1820)	(a); (b)
Sparassidae Bertkau, 1872	Eusparassus Simon, 1903	E. dofouri Simon, 1932	(a)
	Micrommata Latreille, 1804	M. ligurina (C. L. Koch, 1845)	(a)
	Olios Walckenaer, 1837	O. argelasius (Walckenaer, 1806)	(a)
Synaphridae Wunderlich, 1986	Synaphris Simon, 1894	S. saphrynis Lopardo, Hormiga & Melic, 2007	(b); this study
Tetragnathidae Menge, 1866	Pachygnatha Sundevall, 1823	P. tullgreni Senglet, 1973	(a)
	Tetragnatha Latreille, 1804	T. extensa (Linnaeus, 1758)	(a)
		T. intermedia Kulczyński, 1891	This study; NBd
		T. obtusa C. L. Koch, 1837	(b)
Theridiidae Sundevall, 1833	Argyrodes Simon, 1864	A. argyrodes (Walckenaer, 1841)	(a)
	Asagena Sundevall, 1833	A. phalerata (Panzer, 1801)	(a); (b); this study
	Dipoena Thorell, 1869	D. umbratilis (Simon, 1873)	This study; NBd
	Enoplognatha Pavesi, 1880	E. diversa (Blackwall, 1859)	This study; NBd
		E. franzi Wunderlich, 1995	(b)
		E. quadripunctata Simon, 1884	(b)
		E. thoracica (Hahn, 1833)	(a)
	Episinus Walckenaer, 1809	E. maculipes Cavanna, 1876	(a)
		E. truncatus Latreille, 1809	(a)
	Euryopis Menge, 1868	E. episinoides (Walckenaer, 1847)	(a); (b); this study
		E. quinqueguttata Thorell, 1875	(b)
	Kochiura Archer, 1950	K. aulica (C. L. Koch, 1838)	(a); (b)
	Lasaeola Simon, 1881	L. convexa (Blackwall, 1870)	(a)
		L. testaceomarginata Simon, 1881	(a)
	Latrodectus Walckenaer, 1805	L. tredecimguttatus (Rossi, 1790)	(a)
	Neottiura Menge, 1868	N. curvimana (Simon, 1914)	(a)
		N. uncinata (Lucas, 1846)	This study; NBd
	Paidiscura Archer, 1950	P. pallens (Blackwall, 1834)	(b); this study
	Phylloneta Archer, 1950	P. impressa (L. Koch, 1881)	(a); (b); this study
	Platnickina Koçak & Kemal, 2008	P. nigropunctata (Lucas, 1846)	(a); (b)
	Robertus O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1879	R. arundineti (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1871)	(a)
	Ruborridion Wunderlich, 2011	R. musivum (Simon, 1873)	This study; NBd
	Simitidion Wunderlich, 1992	S. simile (C. L. Koch, 1836)	(a); (b); this study
	Steatoda Sundevall, 1833	S. albomaculata (De Geer, 1778)	(a); this study
		S. nobilis (Thorell, 1875)	(b)
		S. triangulosa (Walckenaer, 1802)	(a)
	Theridion Walckenaer, 1805	T. hannoniae Denis, 1945	(b)
		T. hemerobium Simon, 1914	(a)
		T. mystaceum L. Koch, 1870	(a); (b)
		T. pinastri L. Koch, 1872	This study; NBd
		T. varians Hahn, 1833	(b)
Thomisidae Sundevall, 1833	Bassaniodes Pocock, 1903	B. bliteus (Simon, 1875)	(a); (b); this study
		B. bufo (Dufour, 1820)	(a); (b)
		B. cribratus (Simon, 1885)	(a)
		B. robustus (Hahn, 1832)	(b)
	Misumena Latreille, 1804	M. vatia (Clerck, 1757)	(a)
	Monaeses Thorell, 1869	M. paradosus (Lucas, 1846)	(a)
	Ozyptila Simon, 1864	O. pauxilla (Simon, 1870)	(a); (b); this study
		O. simplex (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1862)	(a)
	Runcinia Simon, 1875	R. grammica (C. L. Koch, 1837)	(a); (b); this study
	Synema Simon, 1864	S. globosum (Fabricius, 1775)	(a); (b)
	Thomisus Walckenaer, 1805	T. onustus Walckenaer, 1805	(a); (b); this study
	Tmarus Simon, 1875	T. staintoni (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1873)	(a); (b)
	Xysticus C. L. Koch, 1835	X. cor Canestrini, 1873	(b)
		X. cristatus (Clerck, 1757)	(a)
		X. ferrugineus Menge, 1876	(a)
		X. grallator Simon, 1932	This study; NBd
		X. nubilus Simon, 1875	(a); this study
Titanoecidae Lehtinen, 1967	Nurscia Simon, 1874	N. albomaculata (Lucas, 1846)	(b)
		N. sequerai (Simon, 1893)	(a)
	Titanoeca Thorell, 1870	T. praefica Simon, 1870	(b)
		T. quadriguttata (Hahn, 1833)	(a)
Trachelidae Simon, 1897	Metatrachelas Bosselaers & Bosmans, 2010	M. rayi (Simon, 1878)	(a)
Uloboridae Thorell, 1869	Uloborus Latreille, 1806	U. walckenaerius Latreille, 1806	(b)
Zodariidae Thorell, 1881	Amphiledorus Jocqué & Bosmans, 2001	A. adonis Jocqué & Bosmans, 2001	(a)
		A. ungoliantae Pekár & Cardoso, 2005	(a)
	Selamia Simon, 1873	S. reticulata (Simon, 1870)	(a); (b)
	Zodarion Walckenaer, 1826	Z. alacre (Simon, 1870)	(a); (b)
		Z. alentejanum Pekár & Carvalho, 2011	(a)
		Z. bosmansi Pekar, Cardoso, 2015	(a)
		Z. jozefienae Bosmans, 1994	(a); (b); this study
		Z. merlijni Bosmans, 1994	(a)
		Z. styliferum (Simon, 1870)	(a)
Zoropsidae Bertkau, 1882	Zoropsis Simon, 1878	Z. spinimana (Dufour, 1820)	(a)
Opiliones Sundevall, 1833
Phalangiidae Latreille, 1802	Dasylobus Simon, 1878	D. ibericus (Rambla, 1967)	This study; NBd
	Odiellus Roewer, 1923	O. troguloides (Lucas, 1846)	(c); (d)
Phalangodidae Simon, 1879	Scotolemon Lucas, 1860	**S. aff. lespesii Lucas, 1860	(c); (d)
Sclerosomatidae Simon, 1879	Cosmobunus Simon, 1879	C. granarius (Lucas, 1846)	(c); (d)
	Gyas Simon, 1879	G. titanus Simon, 1879	(c); (d)
	Homalenotus Koch, 1839	H. buchneri (Schenkel, 1936)	This study; NBd

* This species belongs to the genevensis group; the species of this group have a great morphological affinity, which makes a revision of the samples studied by Cardoso (2004) in the Parque Natural do Vale do Guadiana desirable.

** Rambla (1967) identified the species as S. lespessi; however, it is a Pyrenean species and, as such, the identification needs confirmation.

Data resources

The data underpinning the analysis reported in this paper are deposited at GBIF, the Global Biodiversity Information Facility, https://doi.org/10.15468/x8jjwh.

Checklist of the Arachnid Fauna (Araneae and Opiliones) from the Castro Verde Special Protection Area, southern Portugal

Order Araneae Clerck, 1757

Family Agelenidae C. L. Koch, 1837

Genus Eratigena Bolzern, Burckhardt & Hänggi, 2013

Eratigena sp.

Notes:

1 j. indet.

Family Anyphaenidae Bertkau,1878

Genus Anyphaena Sundevall, 1833

Anyphaena sp.

Distribution:

There are no previous records from the SPA of Castro Verde, nor from the District of Beja; this is the first record of the family Anyphaenidae for this Portuguese district.

Notes:

2 jj. indet.

Family Araneidae Clerck, 1757

Araneidae sp.

Notes:

484 jj. indet.

Genus Araniella Chamberlin & Ivie, 1942

Araniella sp.

Distribution:

Probably Araniella cucurbitina (Clerck, 1757). The genus has been previously recorded for the District of Beja (Barrientos et al. 2020).

Notes:

9 jj. indet.

Genus Hypsosinga Ausserer, 1871

Hypsosinga albovittata (Westring, 1851)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:016183

Distribution:

Species widespread throughout the Palaearctic Zone. In the Iberian Peninsula, it has been reported for very scattered localities (also in Portugal), so it can be considered a common species. It has been previously cited from the District of Beja (Cardoso et al. 2009). The literature tends to link it to sunny places in areas of low grass and close to the ground (Nentwig et al. 2023). These characteristics coincide with those found in the study area, where it is one of the most abundant species.

Notes:

5♂♂, 32♀♀, 373 jj.

Genus Mangora O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1889

Mangora acalypha (Walckenaer, 1802)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:016308

Distribution:

It is also a very common species throughout the Palaearctic Zone. In the Iberian Peninsula, it has been cited on numerous occasions and from numerous localities that attest to its widespread occurrence (de Biurrun et al. 2019). It has been previously reported for the District of Beja (Barrientos et al. 2020). Like H. albovittata, it is common in herbaceous and shrubby environments, building its webs on the vegetation; however, captures in Castro Verde are scarce.

Notes:

1♂, 1♀

Family Cheiracanthiidae Wagner,1887

Genus Cheiracanthium C. L. Koch, 1839

Cheiracanthium pennatum Simon, 1878

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:023399

Distribution:

Available data place this species in several southern European countries. However, in the Iberian Peninsula, it is only known from three localities: two in Spain and one in Portugal (Santarém; Cardoso (2004)). Now, we report it for the first time in the District of Beja. Like other species of the genus, it usually occupies the upper parts of herbaceous plants, where it builds its typical silk retreats (Urones 1988).

Notes:

7♂♂, 6♀♀, 9 jj.

Family Clubionidae Simon, 1878

Genus Porrhoclubiona Lohmander, 1944

Porrhoclubiona vegeta (Simon, 1918)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:024816

Distribution:

Species of Mediterranean distribution (southern Europe and northern Africa), especially frequent in its western part. Recently characterised by Bosmans et al. (2017), who cite it from Beja District.

Notes:

2♀♀, 14 jj.

Family Dictynidae O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1871

Genus Argenna Simon, 1884

Argenna subnigra (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1861)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:022086

Distribution:

There are data that place it throughout the Palaearctic area (World Spider Catalog 2023), although most of the information corresponds to European countries. In the Iberian Peninsula, it has only been mentioned from three localities in Spain (Carter 1984, Barrientos 1985, Barrientos et al. 2016). This is the first record for Portugal. It is considered a rare species that lives in sunny areas under stones and plant debris; however, it has been repeatedly captured in the Castro Verde area.

Notes:

16♀♀, 22 jj.

Genus Marilynia Lehtinen, 1967

Marilynia bicolor (Simon, 1870)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:022497

Distribution:

Although it is relatively common in the Mediterranean area (Europe and North Africa), it is distributed throughout the Palearctic. It has already been reported for the District of Beja, as well as from other localities in Portugal and Spain (de Biurrun et al. 2019).

Notes:

1♂, 2♀♀, 5 jj.

It is easily recognisable by its dorsal opisthosomal pigment pattern, but, although it seems to be frequent, it is not particularly abundant.

Genus Nigma Lehtinen, 1967

Nigma puella (Simon, 1870)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:022515

Distribution:

Species typical of the western Palaearctic, frequent in Europe and the Macaronesian area. It has already been reported for several localities in Portugal, including in the District of Beja (Barrientos et al. 2020). It is usually associated with shrubs of a certain size, where it forms abundant populations; herbaceous areas are not a suitable habitat for it (van de Putte 2018).

Notes:

1♂

Family Dysderidae C. L. Koch, 1837

Genus Harpactea Bristowe, 1939

Harpactea minoccii Ferrández, 1982

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:004685

Distribution:

This species can be considered an Iberian endemism. The original description places it in Seville (Ferrández 1982) and it had not been found again until the studies in the Parque Natural do Vale do Guadiana (Cardoso 2004, Cardoso et al. 2009) which provide eight more localities, all of them in the District of Beja. Our finding confirms its presence in this part of Portugal and suggests that H. minoccii is distributed in the south-western part of the Iberian Peninsula, although, for the time being, we can consider it a rare species.

Notes:

1♂

Family Gnaphosidae Banks,1892

Gnaphosidae sp.

Notes:

51 jj. indet.

Genus Aphantaulax Simon, 1878

Aphantaulax sp.

Distribution:

The six specimens captured are assignable to the genus Aphantaulax Simon, 1878, but there is no certainty regarding the species. This genus has been previously recorded for the District of Beja (Barrientos et al. 2020).

Notes:

6 jj. indet.

Genus Civizelotes Senglet, 2012

Civizelotes civicus (Simon, 1878)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:028161

Distribution:

Species native to the western Mediterranean area; it has also been reported for Madeira. In the Iberian Peninsula, it has been mentioned for numerous localities in Spain and Portugal, including in the District of Beja (de Biurrun et al. 2019). It is a species of epideaphic activity but, as in many other Gnaphosidae, its biology is mostly unknown.

Notes:

1♂, 1 j.

Civizelotes ibericus Senglet, 2012

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:046162

Distribution:

Initially described as an Iberian endemism, typical of the southern half of the Iberian Peninsula, it has subsequently been cited from the Province of Álava (Ferrández 1996) and recently from southern France (Oger and Van Keer 2017). This is its first mention in Portugal. The dispersion of existing information suggests that this is due to the lack of suitable prospects.

Notes:

7♂♂, 2♀♀, 14 jj.

Genus Gnaphosa Latreille, 1804

Gnaphosa sp.

Distribution:

Possibly Gnaphosa artaensis Simon, 1878, already reported for the District of Beja.

Notes:

93 jj. Indet.

Genus Haplodrassus Chamberlin, 1922

Haplodrassus rhodanicus (Simon, 1914)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:026980

Distribution:

In the recent revision of the genus Haplodrassus Chamberlin, 1922, Bosmans et al. (2018) mention this species from several localities in the Iberian Peninsula; one of them in Portugal (Setúbal). This is their second citation for Portugal and the first mention for the District of Beja. The general data on H. rhodanicus place it in western Europe, North Africa and the Mediterranean islands. It is a small species that may go unnoticed in some samples.

Notes:

16♂♂, 6♀♀, 7 jj.

Haplodrassus sp.

Notes:

27 jj. indet.

Genus Leptodrassus Simon, 1878

Leptodrassus albidus Simon, 1914

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:027453

Distribution:

Cited from the Mediterranean countries of southern Europe and also from the Canary Islands. Known from several localities on the Iberian Peninsula. Previously cited from the Castro Verde area (Silva 2004). It is found in areas near the coast and in sparsely vegetated or fallow crops.

Notes:

9♂♂, 19 jj.

Genus Marinarozelotes Ponomarev, 2020

Marinarozelotes minutus (Crespo, 2010)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:043618

Distribution:

Described in Crespo and Mendes (2010) from two localities in the District of Évora in cork oak forests. It was transferred to the genus Marinarozelotes Ponomarev (2020) by Ponomarev and Shmatko (2020). Its presence in Castro Verde, albeit in small numbers, represents an extension of its range (although it is still a Portuguese endemism) and of its habitat, which must now include the steppe-like grasslands of the District of Beja. The lack of information about the species prevented the assessment of its conservation status according to the IUCN criteria (Branco et al. 2019).

Notes:

4♂♂, 3♀♀, 2 jj.

Genus Micaria Westring, 1851

Micaria sp.

Distribution:

Specimens of doubtful specific assignment. The genus Micaria Westring, 1851 has numerous species; some are frequent in the Iberian Peninsula and there are several that have been previously reported for the District of Beja.

Notes:

4 jj. indet.

Genus Nomisia Dalmas, 1921

Nomisia exornata (C. L. Koch, 1839)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:027627

Distribution:

Widespread in all the countries of the Mediterranean rim (Europe and Africa), reaching central Asia. It is a common, frequent and abundant species, widely cited throughout the Iberian Peninsula (de Biurrun et al. 2019) and previously mentioned in Castro Verde (Silva 2004) and other places in the District of Beja.

Notes:

2♂♂, 81 jj.

Numerous specimens have been captured that we have included in this species; but hardly any adults have been captured, probably because their breeding phenology in Castro Verde does not coincide with the dates when the samples were taken.

Genus Setaphis Simon, 1893

Setaphis carmeli (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:027946

Distribution:

It is a common species throughout the Mediterranean Basin. It is usually frequent and abundant throughout the Iberian Peninsula. It has already been reported for Castro Verde (Silva 2004) and from other localities in the District of Beja and the rest of Portugal. Although its biology is not known in detail, S. carmeli has been seen climbing on vegetation, especially in citrus plantations, in search of prey.

Notes:

18♂♂, 8♀♀, 46 jj.

Genus Zelotes Gistel, 1848

Zelotes fulvopilosus (Simon, 1878)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:028211

Distribution:

Data on this species are concentrated in Portugal, Spain and France. In the Iberian Peninsula, it has been mentioned from numerous localities; one of them in the District of Beja (Carvalho et al. 2011). Probably the data we now provide from Castro Verde represent an accidental capture in the pasture area, a vagrant from one of the nearby habitats where a stable population could be found. There are no consistent data to confirm these impressions.

Notes:

1♂

Zelotes sp. (New species)

Notes:

2♂♂

This is a species new to the genus that will be described in a forthcoming article.

Zelotes sp.

Notes:

93 jj. indet.

Specimens of doubtful specific assignment. They may correspond to the genus Zelotes Gistel, 1848 and/or Civizelotes Senglet, 2012.

Family Linyphiidae Blackwall, 1859

Linyphiidae sp.

Notes:

1028 jj. Indet.

Agyneta pseudorurestris Wunderlich, 1980

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:011703

Distribution:

A. pseudorurestris has a typically Mediterranean distribution and is one of the most frequent and abundant species of the genus Agyneta Hull, 1911. It is reported for numerous localities in the Iberian Peninsula; also in the District of Beja. It produces small space webs, especially in herbaceous environments, very close to the ground; although it is also found in wooded environments linked to the shrub layer.

Notes:

248♂♂, 264♀♀, 893 jj.

The juvenile forms are hardly distinguishable from other related species of the same genus; since no adults of other Agyneta species have been caught, we have opted to identify all of them as A. pseudorurestris.

Genus Centromerus Dahl, 1886

Centromerus phoceorum Simon, 1929

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:039399

Distribution:

Species localised in the western countries of the Mediterranean area (Portugal, Spain, France, Algeria and Tunisia). There are limited, though scattered, data from the Iberian Peninsula. Most of them are located in Portugal; one of them in the District of Beja (Cardoso 2004).

Notes:

2♀♀

Genus Diplocephalus Bertkau, 1883

Diplocephalus graecus (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1873)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:010058

Distribution:

Like the previous species, this is a Mediterranean species, although it is also found in some central European countries. In the Iberian Peninsula, records are concentrated in its southern half and in the coastal areas of the Mediterranean (de Biurrun et al. 2019). It has been mentioned from several Portuguese districts, including Beja.

Notes:

61♂♂, 51♀♀, 109 jj.

Diplocephalus marijae Bosmans, 2010

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:043252

Distribution:

There are very limited data on this species located on the Iberian Peninsula (Spain and Portugal), the Balearic Islands and Morocco. All data are collected in Bosmans et al. (2010). Data from Portugal are scattered from north to south; several correspond to localities in the District of Beja. Its biology is unknown; it seems to be a scarcely abundant species, but frequent in sunny and warm habitats.

Notes:

2♂♂, 2♀♀

Possibly some of the juveniles identified as D. graecus correspond to this species.

Genus Erigone Audouin, 1826

Erigone dentipalpis (Wider, 1834)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:010424

Distribution:

It is a very common species, widespread throughout the Palaearctic Region. There are numerous records in Spain and Portugal (de Biurrun et al. 2019), including two localities in the District of Beja.

Notes:

1♂

Genus Microctenonyx Dahl, 1886

Microctenonyx subitaneus (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1875)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:011797

Distribution:

This is a diminutive Linyphiidae, especially localised in the western Palearctic area, but introduced in other countries (Nentwig et al. 2023). It is reported for the District of Beja and other localities in Portugal and Spain. It is frequent, although not very abundant, in soil samples, to which it seems to be closely linked.

Notes:

2♂♂, 3♀♀, 4 jj.

Genus Oedothorax Bertkau, 1883

Oedothorax fuscus (Blackwall, 1834)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:012090

Distribution:

Generally widespread throughout Europe and North Africa. It is a common species. Already cited from the District of Beja (Cardoso 2004), it is also known from other localities in Portugal and Spain; it has also been mentioned in the Balearic Islands.

Notes:

2♂♂, 2♀♀

Genus Ouedia Bosmans & Abrous, 1992

Ouedia rufithorax (Simon, 1881)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:012184

Distribution:

It is found in the westernmost part of the Mediterranean zone. It has been previously reported for the District of Beja.

Notes:

1♂, 3♀♀

It is a very characteristic species; it is easy to recognise by its dark red colour and some characteristics of its genitalia.

Genus Palliduphantes Saaristo & Tanasevitch, 2001

Palliduphantes stygius (Simon, 1884)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:011312

Distribution:

It has been reported for several localities in the District of Beja (Cardoso 2004), but it is also known from other parts of Portugal, France and Spain. It produces inconspicuous webs in low vegetation.

Notes:

1♂

Genus Pelecopsis Simon, 1864

Pelecopsis bucephala (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1875)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:012248

Distribution:

Available data locate this species in the extreme west of the Mediterranean Area (France, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Algeria and Mediterranean Islands; Nentwig et al. (2023)). It is reported for various parts of the District of Beja, but is scarcely represented in the Castro Verde area.

Notes:

2♀♀, 1 j.

Pelecopsis inedita (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1875)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:012264

Distribution:

In general, its range, as the previous species, corresponds to the western countries of the Mediterranean Basin. In the Iberian Peninsula, it is frequent and abundant, being known from numerous localities. It has also been reported for the District of Beja. In the Castro Verde area, the species appears to be more tolerant to the epiphytic habitat conditions than P. bucephala, having been collected in far greater numbers than the latter species. Like other Pelecopsis Simon, 1864, it forms abundant populations in the soil mulch (mosses, leaf litter and other plant detritus).

Notes:

30♂♂, 25♀♀, 55 jj.

Genus Prinerigone Millidge, 1988

Prinerigone vagans (Audouin, 1826)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:012437

Distribution:

Species known from all countries in the Mediterranean belt, but extending into Asia, as far east as China. It has already been cited from the District of Beja in previous works. There are numerous records throughout the Iberian Peninsula (de Biurrun et al. 2019). It is a common species, but not very abundant.

Notes:

3♂♂, 2♀♀

Genus Styloctetor Simon, 1884

Styloctetor romanus (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1873)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:012780

Distribution:

S. romanus also has a wide distribution area, from Europe to China; with a known range that extends further north than the Mediterranean latitude, being found in some central European countries and Russia (World Spider Catalog 2023). It has already been recorded from the District of Beja (de Biurrun et al. 2019). In the Iberian Peninsula, it is a common species; it appears frequently in regular surveys of the epiedaphic strata (Roberts 1987), although there is not usually a great abundance of individuals.

Notes:

1♀, 1 j.

Genus Tapinocyba Simon, 1884

Tapinocyba algirica Bosmans, 2007

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:041833

Distribution:

This species is distributed across the western Mediterranean area (Spain, Portugal and Algeria). Few localities are known from Iberia (Bosmans et al. 2010, Cárdenas and Barrientos 2011). This is the first record for the District of Beja.

Notes:

8♂♂, 2♀♀, 2 jj.

Genus Tenuiphantes Saaristo & Tanasevitch, 1996

Tenuiphantes sp.

Distribution:

Although Tenuiphantes tenuis (Blackwall, 1852) has already been cited from the District of Beja, there are also other species of the same genus that may be present in Castro Verde, so we cannot confidently assign these juveniles to any of them.

Notes:

7 jj. indet.

Specimens of doubtful specific assignment.

Genus Walckenaeria Blackwall, 1833

Walckenaeria cucullata (C. L. Koch, 1836)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:013270

Distribution:

This species has been recorded throughout Europe. In the Iberian Peninsula, it has only been mentioned from some localities in the northern fringe (Cantabrian and western Pyrenees) (de Biurrun et al. 2019). The data we now offer from Castro Verde are the first record of this species in Portugal. The morphological features of the captured male are unequivocal, suggesting that (although it may be considered a rare species in the southern half of the Iberian Peninsula) there must be scattered populations in intermediate localities, which link with the position of the current citation.

Notes:

1♂

Family Liocranidae Simon,1897

Genus Agraecina Simon, 1932

Agraecina lineata Simon, 1878)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:024142

Distribution:

It is a widespread species in the countries bordering the Mediterranean, especially in the western Mediterranean. In Portugal, it has been reported for several localities north of Lisbon and Coimbra (de Biurrun et al. 2019). This is the first record for the District of Beja. It is also known from Morocco and Algeria. It is a medium-sized spider that lives a lapidiform life, which probably makes it difficult to capture and is probably more frequent in Castro Verde than suggested by the data.

Notes:

1♂

Family Lycosidae Sundevall,1833

Lycosidae sp.

Notes:

188 jj. indet.

Genus Alopecosa Simon, 1885

Alopecosa albofasciata (Brullé, 1832)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:017375

Distribution:

It is a common species in the Iberian Peninsula. It has already been reported for the District of Beja. Its general distribution affects the countries of the Mediterranean Basin, from Portugal to central Asia. It forms abundant populations and moves on the ground in search of prey or mating partners. They are common in grassy environments.

Notes:

3♂♂, 2 jj.

Genus Hogna Simon, 1885

Hogna radiata (Latreille, 1817)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:018101

Distribution:

Its distribution encompasses all the countries of the Mediterranean Basin, reaching to central Asia. It is one of the most common species in open, steppe and grassland environments in Mediterranean countries. It has been previously reported for the District of Beja. Adults are usually more static and take refuge under large stones for copulation, laying and care of their young; their activity is usually nocturnal, sheltered from their usual predators (generally birds).

Notes:

16 jj.

In the Iberian fauna, the morphological and pigmentary features allow the juveniles to be identified to this species with little margin for error.

Genus Pardosa C. L. Koch, 1847

Pardosa proxima (C. L. Koch, 1847)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:018870

Distribution:

It is a Palaearctic species. It has already been reported for the District of Beja. As in the case of the genus Alopecosa Simon, 1885, the species of Pardosa C. L. Koch, 1847 form abundant populations, very localised in time, which swarm ostensibly in herbaceous environments. P. proxima is one of the most common species in the Iberian Peninsula.

Notes:

5♀♀, 15 jj.

Family Mimetidae Simon,1881

Genus Ero C. L. Koch, 1836

Ero aphana (Walckenaer, 1802)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:005666

Distribution:

It is found in the temperate and warm countries of the Palaearctic Region. It has been reported for several localities in Spain and Portugal; also in the District of Beja. It is common on shrubby vegetation, where there are numerous webs of Araneidae (of which they are kleptoparasites); but it is also found in grasslands, especially if there are tall grasses (where some Araneidae also settle). It is considered a common species.

Notes:

4♂♂, 2♀♀

Family Miturgidae Simon, 1886

Genus Zora C. L. Koch, 1847

Zora silvestris Kulczyński, 1897

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:028561

Distribution:

This species is recorded from all western Palaearctic countries, excluding Russia and Turkey. It has already been recorded from the District of Beja (Cardoso 2004), although it is the only record from Portugal. In Spain, it has only been reported for the Pyrenees of Lleida (Crespo et al. 2018). This disparity in its location may be due to the rarity of the species or to the absence of data attesting to its presence in intermediate localities.

Notes:

2♀♀

In general, the species of the genus Zora C. L. Koch, 1847 have closely-related genitalia and somatic characters, which makes identification very difficult and, with it, increases the number of possible errors. A thorough revision of the species of this genus seems desirable.

Family Nemesiidae Simon,1889

Genus Iberesia Decae & Cardoso, 2006

Iberesia sp.

Notes:

1 j. indet.

Specimen of doubtful specific assignment.

Family Oonopidae Simon,1890

Genus Oonops Templeton, 1835

Oonops tubulatus Dalmas, 1916

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:005062

Distribution:

Species reported for western Mediterranean countries (Portugal, Spain, Algeria and Italy). It has been reported for several localities in Portugal, including one in the District of Beja (Cardoso 2004).

Notes:

4♀♀

The species was characterised by Machado (1941), who provides some figures to facilitate its recognition.

Genus Silhouettella Benoit, 1979

Silhouettella loricatula (Roewer, 1942)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:004893

Distribution:

This species is localised in the countries forming the shores of the Mediterranean, from Portugal to Turkey. It has already been reported for the District of Beja. It is undoubtedly a thermophilic species, which is why it is considered rare in central Europe. However, in warmer, steppe-like areas (including North Africa), it is common amongst plant debris, forming large populations in some cases.

Notes:

3♂♂

S. loricatula is a singular species, small in size, but its opisthosomal protective shields give it an armoured appearance.

Family Oxyopidae Thorell,1869

Genus Oxyopes Latreille, 1806

Oxyopes heterophthalmus (Latreille, 1804)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:019996

Distribution:

One of the most common species of the genus Oxyopes Latreille, 1804 and with a very wide distribution, comprising the entire temperate and warm zone of the Palaearctic Region. It as been cited from numerous localities in Portugal and it has also been mentioned in the District of Beja (Cardoso et al. 2009).

Notes:

7♂♂, 2♀♀, 222 jj.

Oxyopes heterophthalmus is usually distinguished by a very pronounced brown pigmentation that separates it from another of the most common species, Oxyopes lineatus Latreille, 1806. The juveniles we have identified correspond to this typology; however, given the variability observed, it is possible that some specimens do not correspond to this species.

Oxyopes sp.

Distribution:

Possibly Oxyopes lineatus Latreille, 1806.

Notes:

21 jj. indet.

Family Philodromidae Thorell,1869

Genus Pulchellodromus Wunderlich, 2012

Pulchellodromus pulchellus (Lucas, 1846)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:029922

Distribution:

Species cited from Mediterranean European countries, from Portugal to Turkey. It has been reported for numerous localities in Spain and Portugal; in the latter, it has also been mentioned from the District of Beja. It usually climbs on vegetation, both herbaceous and shrubby. Its rapid tanatosis reaction and its speed of movement may be the cause of an underestimation in the results of the sampling carried out in Castro Verde.

Notes:

6♂♂, 1♀, 14 jj.

Genus Thanatus C. L. Koch, 1837

Thanatus vulgaris Simon, 1870

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:030073

Distribution:

Its distribution is wider than the previous species, as it also includes North America. It has already been reported for the District of Beja, as well as from many other localities in Portugal and Spain. It is a very common species in arid places, moving quickly on the ground during sunny hours; juvenile forms tend to climb and move through the vegetation.

Notes:

2♂♂, 1♀, 155 jj.

Genus Tibellus Simon, 1875

Tibellus macellus Simon, 1875

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:030100

Distribution:

It can be considered a European species, although it has not been found in some Nordic countries. There are few records in the Peninsula and only one in Portugal (Vila Real; Machado (1941)). This is the first record for the District of Beja.

Notes:

1♀

Family Pisauridae Simon,1890

Genus Pisaura Simon, 1886

Pisaura mirabilis (Clerck, 1757)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:019759

Distribution:

One of the most common species throughout the Palaearctic Region. Previously reported for the District of Beja. It forms abundant populations on the wet banks of ponds, rivers and streams, moving amongst herbaceous and shrubby vegetation. It is not usually found in dry and arid places, so its presence in Castro Verde depends to a large extent on the humidity of the soil and the position of each plot.

Notes:

1♀, 2 jj.

Family Salticidae Blackwall,1841

Genus Chalcoscirtus Bertkau, 1880

Chalcoscirtus infimus (Simon, 1868)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:032664

Distribution:

It is widespread in the Palaearctic Region, occupying central Europe and the Mediterranean area as far as central Asia. There are many records scattered throughout Spain and Portugal, including several in the District of Beja. C. infimus is a diminutive Salticidae that moves at the epiedaphic level and in the lowest strata of vegetation. In Castro Verde, there are stable populations as attested by the data obtained in this survey, which probably shows a pre-breeding stage, given the absence of females and the high number of adult and juvenile males.

Notes:

43♂♂, 175 jj.

Genus Euophrys C. L. Koch, 1834

Euophrys herbigrada (Simon, 1871)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:033277

Distribution:

Found in the western part of the Palaearctic Region, widespread in central European and Mediterranean countries. It is a common species, well represented in Spain and Portugal, with records from the District of Beja (Cardoso 2004). Stable and abundant populations develop in the Castro Verde grasslands.

Notes:

35♂♂, 18♀♀, 34 jj.

Genus Heliophanus C. L. Koch, 1833

Heliophanus lineiventris Simon, 1868

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:033823

Distribution:

Widespread throughout the Palaearctic Region, except for its coldest areas. It has already been reported for the District of Beja (Cardoso et al. 2009, Barrientos et al. 2020), as well as from many other localities in Portugal and Spain Barrientos et al. (2020); this is the first data for the species from the Castro Verde area (de Biurrun et al. 2019).

Notes:

1♂, 2♀♀, 1 j.

Genus Pellenes Simon, 1876

Pellenes nigrociliatus (Simon, 1875)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:035300

Distribution:

Native to the north-Mediterranean Basin in the Palaearctic Region, from Portugal to China. There are few records in the Iberian Peninsula, but it has already been recorded from the District of Beja. It is a common species that moves through shrubs and tall grasses.

Notes:

2♀♀

Genus Phlegra Simon, 1876

Phlegra bresnieri (Lucas, 1846)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:035566

Distribution:

This is a circum-Mediterranean species, also found in some African countries. In the Iberian Peninsula, it is the most common species of the genus Phlegra Simon, 1876. It is known from several localities in Portugal, including some in the District of Beja. It is abundant on herbaceous and shrubby vegetation in sunny and arid areas; it is a species well represented in Castro Verde.

Notes:

24♂♂, 49♀♀, 3 jj.

Genus Salticus Latreille, 1804

Salticus propinquus Lucas, 1846

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:036028

Distribution:

It is found in the countries bordering the Mediterranean, from Portugal to Turkey, both in Europe and North Africa. The data available for the Iberian Peninsula, although scarce, are scattered throughout the country. It has been previously reported for the District of Beja.

Notes:

1♀

Genus Talavera G. W. Peckham & E. G. Peckham, 1909

Talavera petrensis (C. L. Koch, 1837)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:036451

Distribution:

It is a typical species of the Palaearctic Region, widespread throughout Europe. There are several citations from Portugal, but this is the first mention in the District of Beja. It is a frequent and abundant species; especially in meadows of a certain altitude and in wooded and shrubby areas, moving over vegetation.

Notes:

1♂

Family Scytodidae Blackwall,1864

Genus Scytodes Latreille, 1804

Scytodes sp.

Notes:

1j. indet.

Specimen of doubtful specific assignment.

Family Synaphridae Wunderlich,1986

Genus Synaphris Simon, 1894

Synaphris saphrynis Lopardo, Hormiga & Melic, 2007

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:039849

Distribution:

Available data abound in considering this species as an Iberian endemism, although a citation from the Selvagens Islands (Crespo et al. 2009) would considerably extend its range. Recently, Barrientos et al. (2020) cite it in the District of Beja. Our data show that, in certain habitats, S. saphrynis can be relatively abundant and also that, due to its small size and possible crypticism, it can go unnoticed in surveys.

Notes:

42♂♂, 32♀♀, 20 jj.

There is considerable morphological affinity between the described species of the genus Synaphris Simon, 1894 whose distribution is centralised in the Mediterranean and Macaronesian Zone; the two species described from Madagascar would deserve special attention in a desirable revision of the family Synaphridae.

Family Tetragnathidae Menge,1866

Genus Tetragnatha Latreille, 1804

Tetragnatha intermedia Kulczyński, 1891

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:014289

Distribution:

Species localised in Mediterranean countries, mainly in its western area (there are some data from Turkey). It has recently been reported for several localities in Portugal (Morano 2020). This is the first record for the District of Beja.

Notes:

1♂, 1♀

Family Theridiidae Sundevall, 1833

Theridiidae sp.

Notes:

7 jj. indet.; Specimens are too small to be assigned confidently to a genus.

Genus Asagena Sundevall, 1833

Asagena phalerata (Panzer, 1801)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:008101

Distribution:

It is a typical species of the Palaearctic Region, abundant and very common in the Iberian fauna. Previously cited from Castro Verde (Silva 2004). It roams the ground in places poor in vegetation.

Notes:

5♂♂, 23♀♀, 5 jj.

Genus Dipoena Thorell, 1869

Dipoena umbratilis (Simon, 1873)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:007505

Distribution:

Species native to the western Mediterranean (Nentwig et al. 2023). However, there are hardly any data from the Iberian Peninsula, with only three records: two from Granada (Crespo et al. 2018) and one from a cave in Lisbon (Machado 1949). We can provisionally consider it a rare species that is now reported for the first time in the District of Beja.

Notes:

2♂♂, 4jj.

Genus Enoplognatha Pavesi, 1880

Enoplognatha diversa (Blackwall, 1859)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:007547

Distribution:

Nentwig et al. (2023) place this species in the western Mediterranean area; however, there are some data from its easternmost part. In the Iberian Peninsula, the localities where it has been found are mainly in its southern half; however, in Portugal, it has not been mentioned in Baixo Alentejo. This is the first record for the District of Beja. The specimens studied here have been identified following the revision of Bosmans and Van Keer (1999). E. diversa can be found in very diverse habitats.

Notes:

2♂♂, 4♀♀

Genus Euryopis Menge, 1868

Euryopis episinoides (Walckenaer, 1847)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:007701

Distribution:

E. episinoides is a common species easily found in open places and garrigues in the Mediterranean area. Previously cited in the District of Beja, these are the first data for the Castro Verde area.

Notes:

1♂, 3 jj.

Genus Neottiura Menge, 1868

Neottiura uncinata (Lucas, 1846)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:007858

Distribution:

N. uncinata is a typically Mediterranean species. There are several records from Portugal, but this is the first mention of it in the District of Beja. In the Castro Verde area, N. uncinata is one of the main species of the family Theridiidae, as it is found associated with herbaceous low vegetation habitats.

Notes:

44♂♂, 67♀♀, 366 jj.

Genus Paidiscura Archer, 1950

Paidiscura pallens (Blackwall, 1834)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:007863

Distribution:

One of the most frequent and common species of the family Theridiidae in the Palaearctic Region. There are data from practically all European (up to Siberia) and North African countries. Data from the Iberian Peninsula (de Biurrun et al. 2019) are distributed throughout the Iberian Peninsula; it has been previously cited for the District of Beja (Barrientos et al. 2020).

Notes:

1♂

Genus Phylloneta Archer, 1950

Phylloneta impressa (L. Koch, 1881)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:008433

Distribution:

Throughout the western Palaearctic area, P. impresa is one of the most frequent and abundant species of the family Theridiidae; it has also been cited from North America, so we can consider it a Holarctic species. Cardoso et al. (2009) and Barrientos et al. (2020) cite it from the District of Beja; this is the first data from the Castro Verde area. Its webs are spread amongst vegetation in shrub and herbaceous strata.

Notes:

1 j.

Genus Ruborridion Wunderlich, 2011

Ruborridion musivum (Simon, 1873)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:007861

Distribution:

It is common in western Europe and has been cited from different localities in Spain and Portugal (de Biurrun et al. 2019). However, this is the first record for the District of Beja. It is a diminutive theridid associated with the herbaceous and shrub layer.

Notes:

1♀

Genus Simitidion Wunderlich, 1992

Simitidion simile (C. L. Koch, 1836)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:008009

Distribution:

A common species (Nentwig et al. 2023) throughout the western Palaearctic (Europe and North Africa), especially in Mediterranean countries. Previously cited (Barrientos et al. 2020) for the District of Beja, this is the first data for the Castro Verde area.

Notes:

1 j.

S. simile has a characteristic pigment pattern that appears already in juvenile forms.

Genus Steatoda Sundevall, 1833

Steatoda albomaculata (De Geer, 1778)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:008019

Distribution:

This is a common and abundant species throughout the Holarctic. There are numerous records throughout the Iberian Peninsula, one of them from Castro Verde (Silva 2004).

Notes:

7 jj.

Juveniles already show the characteristic pigmentation pattern of the species.

Genus Theridion Walckenaer, 1805

Theridion pinastri L. Koch, 1872

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:008611

Distribution:

T. pinastri is widespread throughout Europe, reaching as far as the eastern Palaearctic zone. There are limited data from Portugal and this is the first record for the District of Beja. It is a frequent species in wooded areas (e.g. pine forests, holm oak forests) and also in herbaceous vegetation and low branches (Nentwig et al. 2023).

Notes:

4♂♂, 15♀♀, 29 jj.

Family Thomisidae Sundevall,1833

Thomisidae sp.

Notes:

3339 jj indet.

Specimens of doubtful generic assignment. Many juvenile forms of Thomisidae (mainly of the genus Xysticus C. L. Koch, 1835 and Ozyptila Simon, 1864) move about on vegetation in search of food; there are no diagnostic characters specific to these stages.

Genus Bassaniodes Pocock, 1903

Bassaniodes bliteus (Simon, 1875)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:031824

Distribution:

Data on B. bliteus are available from several countries bordering the western Mediterranean. Although we still have few data, we can consider it a common species throughout the Iberian Peninsula. It has already been recorded in the District of Beja (Cardoso 2004) and in the Castro Verde area (Silva 2004). It is one of the smallest species of the genus; it is closely linked to the ground, where it goes unnoticed thanks to its cryptic colouring and its defensive staticity.

Notes:

2♀♀

The morphological characters of this species have made it fluctuate between several genera (Xysticus C. L. Koch, 1835, Ozyptila Simon, 1864 and Bassaniodes Pocock, 1903).

Genus Ozyptila Simon, 1864

Ozyptila pauxilla (Simon, 1870)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:030891

Distribution:

The general data place it in all the countries of the western Mediterranean (Europe and North Africa). We therefore assume that this is a common species in the Iberian Peninsula, with a wider distribution than currently known. This species, previously cited from the District of Beja (Bacelar 1940, Cardoso 2004), had not been mentioned from the Castro Verde study area. Like other Ozyptila Simon, 1864, it lives a cryptic life, linked to dry and stony soils; perhaps for this reason, it has been cited from few places in the Iberian Peninsula (de Biurrun et al. 2019).

Notes:

70♂♂, 40♀♀, 52 jj.

Genus Runcinia Simon, 1875

Runcinia grammica (C. L. Koch, 1837)

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:031065

Distribution:

It is one of the most common Thomisidae in Europe and North Africa, with a widespread distribution in the Iberian Peninsula (de Biurrun et al. 2019). It has been previously cited in the Castro Verde area (Silva 2004, Cardoso 2004). R. grammica forms abundant populations that colonise areas of reeds and other herbaceous plants in areas with a certain humidity.

Notes:

81 jj.

Genus Thomisus Walckenaer, 1805

Thomisus onustus Walckenaer, 1805

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:031485

Distribution:

A common species, widely distributed in Europe and North Africa. It is widespread throughout the Iberian Peninsula (de Biurrun et al. 2019). Although it has not been mentioned from the Castro Verde area, it has been mentioned from the District of Beja; we can assume that it is present throughout the area, especially in areas rich in grasslands.

Notes:

3♂♂, 1♀, 5 jj.

Genus Xysticus C. L. Koch, 1835

Xysticus grallator Simon, 1932

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:031910

Distribution:

Known from Spain, Portugal and the islands of Corsica and Sardinia. Xysticus grallator has reported from the District of Évora and from some localities in Spain: Cáceres, Ciudad Real, Madrid, Murcia and Alicante (Carrillo et al. 2016); all of them south of the Sistema Central. It has also been mentioned from the islands of Corsica and Sardinia. This is the first record for the District of Beja.

Notes:

2♀♀

Xysticus nubilus Simon, 1875

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:032006

Distribution:

Although it has not been reported for the Castro Verde area, it has been reported for the District of Beja (Cardoso 2004). There are numerous records from Portugal and Spain, especially in the south-western quadrant of the Peninsula with Atlantic influence. It has also been reported for other countries on the Mediterranean Basin.

Notes:

9♀♀, 1 j.

Family Zodariidae Thorell,1881

Genus Zodarion Walckenaer, 1826

Zodarion jozefienae Bosmans, 1994

https://wsc.nmbe.ch/lsid/urn:lsid:nmbe.ch:spidersp:026079

Distribution:

This species is an Iberian endemic; it has already been cited from the study area (Pekár et al. 2003, Silva 2004). It is common in the District of Beja, where most of the known data are concentrated. However, there are also data from the Algarve and Spain (Cáceres, Ciudad Real, Toledo, Huelva, Málaga and Logroño; de Biurrun et al. (2019)). It can be considered a localised species in the south-western quadrant of the Iberian Peninsula; data from the banks of the Ebro (Logroño: Rioja Alta; Fernández-Pérez (2016)) seem exceptional.

Notes:

26♂♂, 1 jj.

Order Opiliones Sundevall, 1833

Family Phalangiidae Latreille, 1802

Genus Dasylobus Simon, 1878

Dasylobus ibericus (Rambla, 1967)

Nomenclature:

Dentizacheus ibericus Rambla 1967, Rev. Biol., 6 (1-2): 25, fig. 14-16 [Type loc.: Torre de Moncorvo];

Dasylobus ibericus – Prieto 2003, Rev. Ibér. Aracn., 8: 132

Distribution:

Iberian endemism described from three localities in the Douro River valley (border between Bragança, Viseu and Guarda) and one in the Algarve. The two localities provided are the first records for the Beja District.

Notes:

2♂♂

The specimen from Monte da Chada (body length: 5.3 mm, femur 1 length: 4.3 mm) agrees with the morphology described by Rambla (1967), but the one from Monte da Albergaria (body length: 3.7 mm, femur 1 length: 3 mm) has poorly developed secondary sexual characters (frontal denticulation, cheliceral protuberances, robustness of femur 1), although the penial and palpal morphology confirm its description.

Family Sclerosomatidae Simon, 1879

Genus Homalenotus Koch, 1839

Homalenotus buchneri (Schenkel, 1936)

Nomenclature:

Parasclerosoma lusitanicum Roewer 1923, Weberkn. d. Erde: 706, fig. 878 [non Homalenotus lusitanicus (Kulczyński 1909)] [Type loc.: Coimbra];

Parasclerosoma buchneri Schenkel 1936, Zool. Anz. 116 (1–2): 24-27 [Type loc.: Ischia];

Homalenotus maroccanus Roewer 1957, Senck. biol., 38 (5/6): 336 [Type loc: Umgebung von Fez];

Homalenotus roeweri Kraus 1959, Mitt. zool. Mus. Berlin 35 (2): 301 [nom. nov. P. lusitanicum];

Homalenotus buchneri – Grasshoff 1959, Senck. biol. 40(5/6): 286

Distribution:

Mediterranean species known from the Apennine Peninsula, the Balearic Islands and the south-western quadrant of the Iberian Peninsula, Coimbra being the only locality cited from Portugal (Roewer (1923) sub Parasclerosoma lusitanicum). The numerous records provided would be the first citation for the Beja District. Additionally, from the ZUPV collection, we add the following records for the Beja District: [ZUPV-3322: 1♂] Mértola (perimeter), 29SPB167660, 90 m elev., Pedro Cardoso, 29-05-2003; [ZUPV-4505: 1♀] Almodóvar, 29SNB8352, 285 m elev., Luis Crespo, 05-11-2009; [ZUPV-4865: 1♂,2♀♀] Vale de Vargo, 29SPC395055, Emidio Machado, 20-08-2011.

Notes:

14♂♂, 6♀♀, 57 jj.

Genus Leiobunum C. L. Koch, 1839

Leiobunum sp.

Notes:

2 jj. indet.

The extreme immaturity of the two specimens, a recently hatched pullus and another of 1.37 mm body length, prevents their determination.

Analysis

General patterns

In total, 9,694 spiders were collected in the Castro Verde SPA [768 males (♂♂), 722 females (♀♀) and 8,204 juveniles (jj)], which are distributed amongst 71 nominal species (Barrientos et al. 2023, Suppl. materials 1, 2), belonging to 25 families. Of these, the Linyphiidae, Theridiidae, Gnaphosidae, Salticidae and Thomisidae were the most diverse (with six or more species each); Dictynidae, Lycosidae, Philodromidae, Araneidae and Oonopidae were represented by two to three species, while the other eleven were represented by a single species (Figs 2, 3). Moreover, 81 harvestmen (16♂♂, 6♀♀ and 59jj) distributed amongst two species and three genera belonging to two families were collected (Barrientos et al. 2023, Suppl. materials 1, 2). Additionally 27 pseudoscorpions and eight mites were also collected (Barrientos et al. 2023, Suppl. material 1).

Figure 2.

Number of spider species by family.

Figure 3.

Frequency of the 27 main spider species in the Castro Verde grasslands (≥ 10 specimens captured).

Most of the spider specimens collected were juvenile (84.6%). Morphological identification of immature specimens is very difficult in spiders. Although for most specimens it was possible to identify the family, for many, the identification to genus level was uncertain. For instance, there are 3339 juveniles of Thomisidae whose taxonomic position is doubtful between Ozyptila Simon, 1864 and Xysticus C. L. Koch, 1835. However, in some cases, juveniles were easily assigned to specific species, even without the presence of adults (although these involved only a few species); obviously, the specific identification of juveniles is reinforced by the presence of adults, suggesting the existence of reproducing populations. After excluding the samples that involved uncertainty, the total number of specimens identified to species level is 4,363 (Barrientos et al. 2023, Suppl. materials 1, 2). With these data, we can make a first assessment of the Castro Verde arachnocenosis.

Relevant taxonomic and faunal data

From a taxonomic point of view, the most remarkable fact is the appearance of a new species that we include in the genus Zelotes Gistel, 1848 that will be described in a future taxonomical note on Iberian Gnaphosidae. From a faunistic perspective, the most remarkable fact is the first record for Portugal of the species Argenna subnigra (O.P.-Cambridge, 1861), Civizelotes ibericus Senglet, 2012 and Walckenaeria cucullata (C. L. Koch, 1836). Several species are recorded for the first time for the District of Beja: Cheiracanthium pennatum Simon, 1878, Haplodrassus rhodanicus (Simon, 1914), Marinarozelotes minutus (Crespo, 2010), Tapinocyba algirica Bosmans, 2007), Agraecina lineata (Simon, 1878), Tibellus macellus Simon, 1875, Talavera petrensis (C. L. Koch, 1837), Tetragnatha intermedia Kulczyński, 1891, Dipoena umbratilis (Simon, 1873), Enoplognatha diversa (Blackwall, 1859), Neottiura uncinata (Lucas, 1846), Ruborridion musivum (Simon, 1873), Theridion pinastri L. Koch, 1872 and Xysticus grallator Simon, 1932 and one genus: Anyphaena Sundevall, 1833. More precise details are given in the checklist.

Discussion

Our assessment of the Arachnida fauna in open fallows and pastures grazed by sheep and cattle contributes to the knowledge of Arachnida species in Portugal and highlights the importance of Castro Verde SPA for biodiversity conservation. The 71 spider species recorded are distributed amongst 25 of the 49 families known to occur in Portugal. It is also relevant that four of the species recorded in this study are Iberian endemics (Branco et al. 2019) and the range of the strict Portuguese endemism M. minutus (Crespo, 2010) was extended to the Beja District (de Biurrun et al. 2019).

The dominant species was a small Linyphiidae, Agyneta pseudorurestris Wunderlich, 1980, very frequent in the Iberian Peninsula and clearly associated with herbaceous environments (Bosmans 2006). Other Linyphiidae, for example, Diplocephalus graecus (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1873), Pelecopsis inedita (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1875) and Tapinocyba algirica Bosmans, 2007 were present with clearly lower frequencies. The Theridiidae Neottiura uncinata (Lucas, 1846), whose webbing and hunting system differ from those used by the A. pseudorurestris, but which shares with it the usual space between the ground and the basal zone of herbaceous plants, was also very abundant. There were also other Theridiidae with much lower frequencies: Theridion pinastri L. Koch, 1872 and Asagena phalerata (Panzer, 1801); although, in these two cases, with different strategies and positions in the ecosystem to N. uncinata. On the other hand, other species were represented which occupy more varied positions in the spatial structure of the grassland. This was the case of the Araneidae Hypsosinga albovittata (Westring, 1851), the Oxyopidae Oxyopes heterophthalmus (Latreille, 1804), the Salticidae Chalcoscirtus infimus (Simon, 1868), Euophrys herbigrada (Simon, 1871) and Phlegra bresnieri (Lucas, 1846) and the Cheiracanthiidae Cheiracanthium pennatum Simon, 1878, all of which swarm or settle in the middle or upper part of the vegetation.

There were also some species that tend to move along the ground in search of their prey, taking refuge easily in the irregularities of the ground, at the base of plants or under plant remains. This is the case of another set of captured forms, such as the Thomisidae Ozyptila pauxilla (Simon, 1870) and Xysticus nubilus Simon, 1875, the Lycosidae Pardosa proxima C. L. Koch, 1847, the Clubionidae Porrhoclubiona vegeta (Simon, 1918), the Philodromidae Thanatus vulgaris Simon, 1875 and Pulchellodromus pulchellus (Lucas, 1846), as well as several species of Gnaphosidae, Nomisia exornata (C. L. Koch, 1839), Setaphis carmeli (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872), Haplodrassus rhodanicus (Simon, 1914), Leptodrassus albidus Simon, 1914 and Civizelotes ibericus Senglet, 2012. The tiny Synaphridae, Synaphris saphrynis Lopardo et al. 2007, an unusual species, unknown until recently and now appearing with considerable frequency on the soil of the Castro Verde grassland, deserves a special mention. In contrast, the Zodariidae Zodarion jozefienae Bosmans, 1994 only reaches very low numbers, despite being a myrmecophilous family that is usually more abundant in soil samples.

The number of Opiliones specimens was too low to identify general patterns since data suggest an even greater undersampling due to their nocturnal habits (taking refuge in hidden places during the day) as suggested by the very small number of specimens, less than 1% compared to spiders. Nearly all belonged to Homalenotus buchneri, an edaphic species characteristic of open herbaceous environments.

With the exception of some occasional data in Silva (2004), the data we now offer represent the first faunal information for the SPA of Castro Verde. However, in comparison with the information available for Baixo Alentejo (Beja District), the list represents the addition of 19 species (17 spiders and two harvestmen), so that the provisional balance of diversity in this Portuguese region is 317 species of spiders (Barrientos et al. 2020) and six of harvestmen.

The methodological approach of the study was carried out in a specific period (sampling, lasting a few hours, in the months of April or May), in similar and relatively homogeneous plots, intentionally avoiding the proximity of the forest areas and their possible influence. Invertebrate sampling was undoubtedly aimed at assessing the feeding potential of the different plots for steppe birds. On the other hand, the methodological development relied exclusively on the use of a vortex specially designed for the sampling of invertebrates present in defined and standardisable areas.

One of the utilities of the approaches followed is the easy standardisation of the data (e.g. repetitive replicates, ratio of each sample to a surface unit). Thus, it is possible to convert the absolute frequencies, previously used, into relative frequencies (either for a given plot, a group of plots or for all of them). Additionally and in a parallel way, it is possible to relate the captures to the basic surface unit of each point (0.194 m²). Consequently, we can now use these new parameters to approximate population densities and their possible variations. However, this sampling method does not convey an important part of the information required for the biological knowledge of the species that occupy the habitat studied.

In the first place, it does not provide adequate phenological images; it is evident that the sampling period corresponds to one of the most outstanding stages in the annual cycle (Cardoso et al. 2007): the population hatchings, with the massive appearance of juveniles and the mixtures of adults in the reproductive phase. This situation is especially reflected in the frequency of the main species; in particular, for the three most abundant species in the captures: Agyneta pseudorrurestris, Neottiura uncinata and Hypsosinga albovittata (Fig. 3). This study lacks information on the preparatory periods of population hatching, summer resolution and potential autumn resurgence, which are important aspects to consider. The presence of permanent populations cannot be discounted and the dynamics of population fluctuations over time are unknown. Additionally, the existence of other species that may manifest at different times during the annual cycle is yet to be determined.

A second aspect that has been missed in the sampling method used is the stratification of the arachnological fauna. It is impossible to discern which species naturally occupy the epiphytic stratum exclusively, which species climb the grasses temporarily and which species mainly lay their webs and are found at different heights of the herbaceous framework. Future analyses should explore the relationship between vegetation height and land-use type in the frequency of species captured. Specifically, purely epiedaphic species are expected to occupy the lower herbaceous stratum, co-existing with diverse hunting strategies and forming a complex web of trophic relationships. Additionally, other species will predominantly inhabit the middle and upper strata of the grasses, leading to their absence in grazed plots and abundance in fallow areas.

Thirdly, there are no data on the nearby fauna, typical of the surrounding wooded areas (pine woods, holm oak, cork oak, eucalyptus etc.), as well as possible waterlogged areas. This prevents us from offering a contrast between different types of habitat and justifying the occasional and singletons (visiting or accidental species) in the steppe grassland habitat of Castro Verde.

Conclusion

Arachnids in general and spiders in particular, constitute a part of biodiversity situated at one of the tips of the trophic chains. Arachnids are, therefore, one of the best indicators of the richness and stability of biodiversity in natural habitats (Cardoso et al. 2011a). Thus, precise knowledge of the identity of species and the details of their biology are key to the ecological interpretation of their role in ecosystems. The study carried out at Castro Verde, despite its shortcomings, extends the list of Araneae species known for Portugal (three species added) and Beja District (14 species added). They also allow us to record a new Zelotes species, whose provisional locality is limited to the Castro Verde SPA. On the other hand, the species richness recorded (71) increases the interest of the Castro Verde SPA in terms of biodiversity. The diversity of species observed is limited to the steppe-like habitat, dominant in Castro Verde, but excludes consideration of the heterogeneity of the landscape, especially the forest plantations, the study of which would undoubtedly increase the levels of biodiversity. The list of species would probably be more complete if other sampling methods were used at the same time, such as pitfall traps and beating trays and if the study were extended to the whole annual cycle. Overall, this study provides the first information on the Arachnid fauna of Castro Verde and adds new data for the southern part of Portugal; they could serve as a guideline for the management of biodiversity conservation in the SPA of Castro Verde.

Acknowledgements

Work supported by National Funds through FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia in the scope of the project UIDP/50027/2020. Authors would also like to acknowledge research support via National Funds through FCT-Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia in the scope of the projects PTDC/AGR-AAM/102300/2008 under the Operational Programme Thematic Factors of Competitiveness (COMPETE). JS has received funding from FCT through the grant SFRH/BD/63566/2009 and from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No 101003553 - EuropaBON - H2020-SC5-2018-2019-2020 / H2020-SC5-2020-1. LR was supported by Portuguese National Funds through FCT, public institute (IP), under the Stimulus of Scientific Employment: Individual Support contract no. CEECIND/00445/2017. We would like to thank the Municipality of Castro Verde for logistic support and to the farmers who kindly granted us access to their land for the purpose of this study. We are grateful to A. J. Brook and John T. Rotenberry for advice in sampling methods. To Antonio Melic for his help in the interpretation of some samples of Gnaphosidae. To Pedro Cardoso, Kadir Boğaç Kunt, Jeremy Miller, Luís Carlos Crespo, Marcos Méndez Iglesias, Yasen Mutafchiev and Robert Mesibov for their constructive comments on an earlier version of the manuscript.

Author contributions

Conceptualisation: Joana Santana, Pedro Beja; Data curation: José A. Barrientos, Carlos Prieto, Sílvia Pina, Pedro Sousa, Joana Santana; Formal analysis: José A. Barrientos, Pedro Sousa; Funding acquisition: Pedro Beja, Luís Reino; Methodology: Joana Santana, Pedro Beja, Sérgio Henriques, Luís Reino, Stefan Schindler; Project administration: Joana Santana, Pedro Beja; Resources: Pedro Beja; Supervision: Pedro Beja, Joana Santana; Validation: José A. Barrientos, Carlos Prieto, Pedro Sousa, Joana Santana; Visualisation: Joana Santana, Pedro Sousa, José A. Barrientos, Carlos Prieto; Writing - original draft: José A. Barrientos; Writing - review and editing: Joana Santana, Carlos Prieto, Pedro Sousa, Luís Reino, Sílvia Pina.

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Supplementary materials

Suppl. material 1: GBIF event dataset: Raw data on sampling sites and Arachnida specimens collected

Authors: José A. Barrientos, Carlos E. Prieto, Sílvia Pina, Sérgio Henriques, Pedro Sousa, Stefan Schindler, Luís Reino, Pedro Beja, Joana Santana

Data type: events, occurrences and measurements in Darwin Core format (event.txt, occurrence.txt, extendedmeasurementorfact.txt tables; all in one zip file)

Download file (201.20 kb)

Suppl. material 2: Samples studied arranged in alphabetical order of the taxa represented

Authors: José A. Barrientos, Carlos E. Prieto, Sílvia Pina, Sérgio Henriques, Pedro Sousa, Stefan Schindler, Luís Reino, Pedro Beja, Joana Santana

Data type: occurrences (.pdf file)

Download file (380.05 kb)

Endnotes