RECORDS OF PARDOSA SALTANS TÖPFER-HOFMANN, 2000 (ARANEAE, LYCOSIDAE) IN UKRAINE

Abstract

Background. The paper addresses the challenge of distinguishing two morphologically similar species of the Pardosa lugubris species group, namely Pardosa lugubris (Walckenaer, 1802) and Pardosa saltans Töpfer-Hofmann, 2000. To date, P. saltans has not been included in any published summarized lists of spiders in Ukraine. However, it can be assumed that the range encompasses the country because it extends across Europe, from Spain and Ireland to Southern European Russia and Georgia. Consequently, a revision of the collections was conducted with two objectives: confirming P. saltans distribution in Ukraine and verifying the accuracy of identifications of P. lugubris, one of the most abundant species in the family Lycosidae.
Materials and Methods. The revision was based on materials collected between 1999 and 2024 from six administrative regions in the western territories of Ukraine and covers such physiographic regions as Volhynian and Male Polissia, Roztochia and the Volhynian-Podolian Uplands, the Eastern Carpathian Foothills, and the Carpathians. Isolated male palps and dissected cleared epigyne/vulvae were examined. Species identification was conducted using appropriate descriptions and keys.
Results. The taxonomic revision confirmed the correct identification of P. lugubris in most localities across six regions (oblasts) in the west of Ukraine. The first records of P. saltans from Volyn, Lviv, and Rivne oblasts have been documented. These are also the species’ first confirmed records within Volhynian Polissia and the Volhynian-Podolian Uplands. Photographs of the spiders’ body parts displaying the diagnostic features of the species were provided. Verified localities for P. lugubris and P. saltans were plotted on a map.
Conclusion. Given the occurrence of P. saltans in different regions of Ukraine and its locally high population densities, the results of this study confirm the need to review collection materials of Pardosa lugubris (s. lato) to isolate individuals of P. saltans and ensure the differentiation of the two species during the initial processing of samples from the country.