MATERIALS AND METHODS
Within limits imposed by time and access restrictions, an effort was
made to collect in diverse vegetation communities. These northern islands
are largely lacking in forest; the commonest habitats encountered include
shore habitats (stony, meadow, and dune), inland meadow habitats, alder
and dwarf-pine thickets, bogs and other wetlands, and (generally unreachable
in the time available) stony mountainous habitats. Manmade habitats (buildings
and their surroundings) were sampled when available. In the field, collecting
sites were defined as 100 X 100 m squares within special habitats. Subsites
were defined within sites wherever more than one distinct macrohabitat
type was being sampled, and specimen lots were segregated by subsite and
microhabitat (common microhabitats: thicket understory foliage, field layer
foliage in meadow habitats, leaf litter, moss including Sphagnum
from bogs, grass litter, dead wood on ground (especially driftwood), under
stones and other objects, and ground surface active); other microhabitats
are present in specific macrohabitat types. For macrohabitat definition,
trees and some other conspicuous plant species were identified using prior
experience in the southern Kurils and the resident expertise of expedition
botanist Sarah Gage.
Main items of collecting equipment and techniques were: 1) heavy duty
beating net, 45.7 cm diameter (18 inches) for vegetation sampling; 2) rigid
plastic sifting box, 37 X 46 cm, with 1.27 cm (0.5 inch) screen mesh bottom,
for moss and litter; 3) aspirator (used mainly by TWP); 4) trowel and cloth
for rotten wood, soil surface web, and burrowing spider sampling; 5) dry
vial collection (over net to minimize escapes) for under rock sampling;
6) visual searching for ground surface active specimens. KYE sorted moss
and some forms of litter by hand on a plastic sheet. Due to the lack of
large trees, bark and canopy sampling were not generally done. Because
sites were not revisited, we were unable to use pitfall traps, a considerable
loss in potential collection diversity. When weather conditions or shortness
of time prevented adequate litter sampling on land, litter samples were
brought back to the ship for later processing.
In data recording, macro- and microhabitats were recorded separately
for each sample; geographic location was recorded in decimal latitude/longitude
to the nearest 0.001 degree, based this year on the degree-minute-second
readings of the Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) hand units; also recorded,
date and approximate time of sampling. Samples were field labelled with
full data by filling in blanks in preprinted labels with a Sakura Micron
Pigma permanent ink pen. Checking of GPS-determined coordinates against
maps showed that these data cannot be accepted uncritically; it is necessary
to set the correct geodetic datum for the region in which one is working
(of those available on our units, the Tananrive Datum proved the closest
match for that used on Russian maps), and even so, the error in either
latitude or longitude occasionally proved to be several times the nominal
value of 100 m, especially on the island of Ekarma. Modern technology not
withstanding, the ability to read a map is still of paramount importance
in biological collecting.
Preliminary counts and identification of all spiders taken by American
participants was done on the ship with a Wild M5 microscope and a card
file of genitalia illustrations. However, due to limitations imposed by
short available time, lack of full literature, and the motion of the ship,
it will be necessary to re-examine most specimens for final identification.
Accordingly, all identifications reported below should be considered preliminary
and subject to revision. Many are incomplete.
NARRATIVE OF SAMPLING ACTIVITY
Paramushir Island
Paramushir, a large island which is probably the most faunistically
diverse of the northern Kurils (from its size, proximity to Kamchatka,
and topographic variety), was sampled on 2 days in 2 different areas. On
1 August 1996, an area accessible by road from the town of Severo-Kurilsk
was visited; on 3 August, the expedition was landed on a low-lying, dune-derived
peninsula at the south end of the island, from which the arachnological
team hiked a considerable distance inland on fortunately accessible roads.
1 August: After a brief opportunity to collect from man-altered habitats
at Severo-Kurilsk harbor, all participants were taken by Russian army truck
(over promising-looking uplands, where we did not stop) to the valley of
the Utyosnaya River, next major valley south of the city. Vegetation here
established a pattern that was to become familiar over all the northern
Kurils: lush (floristically dense, continuous ground cover) meadow habitats
interspersed with relatively small thickets of low-growing Alnus maximowiczii.
A typical thicket was perhaps 10-20 m in diameter and 1-2 m high. KYE and
RLC visited a hillside where both thicket and meadow were sampled; a valley
Sphagnum bog; and the shore meadow habitat at the river-mouth rendezvous
for return to the ship. Microhabitats sampled included field layer vegetation,
alder litter, Sphagnum, ground surface active, and under objects
on sand. American participants (mainly RLC) took 269 spider specimens this
day.
3 August: The expedition landed well out on the Vasil'yeva Peninsula,
a low-lying southward extension of Paramushir probably originating in sand-dunes,
though now well vegetated over much of its area. RLC, KYE and TK spent
some time hiking on roads northward along the peninsula in order to collect
in upland habitats at its base. Thanks to this effort, we considerably
enlarged the Paramushir species list. (Through the rest of the expedition
we seldom had another such chance to visit uplands on a large island).
Macrohabitats encountered included shore and dune meadows; relatively extensive
alder thickets (of which some were swampy); dry upland meadows (with many
edible berries); extensive areas of Pinus pumila approximately 1
m high; lush riparian meadow along the Obryvistaya River; the rocky shore
of this river; lake-shore meadow; Sphagnum patches and bogs. Microhabitats
sampled included field layer vegetation, thicket understory vegetation,
pine foliage, grass litter, Sphagnum (from hillside patch and valley
bog, which yielded different faunas), and active on ground. This was the
only day on which all three arachnologists worked together; for the remainder
of the expedition, TK sought different habitats from RLC and KYE. American
participants took 296 specimens, of which TWP, collecting closer to the
peninsular landing site, contributed 94.
Total specimens brought to USA from Paramushir: 565.
Onekotan Island
More collecting effort (4 days) was devoted to this island than any
other in the northern Kurils. The resulting collection contained many specimens,
but barely more species than we obtained from Paramushir in half the time.
Clearly, the latter has a richer spider fauna, but adverse weather and
other conditions may have contributed to our less diverse sample from Onekotan
also.
4 August. Landing was at Nyemo (Nemo, named after the Jules Verne character)
Bay, a narrow inlet near the north end of the island which is the mouth
of an unnamed river; upstream of some sand dunes and flats, the river ascends
to the plateau through a rocky defile. RLC attempted collecting from rocky
habitats at the latter site, with but little success, while KYE sifted
moss in a more boggy section of the flats midway up the canyon. Others
ascended a trail and crossed into the next valley to the south. Along the
river were dune vegetation, at least one alder thicket, a few boggy patches,
and lush riparian meadow with pure stands of various herbs including Urtica
sp. Hillsides had meadows varying from lush to rocky. There was considerable
bare and broken rock substrate in the "rocky defile." Sampling
in some areas by some methods was rendered impractical by strong wind,
and cold, cloudy weather kept the diurnally-active spiders, which otherwise
might have been numerous, from appearing. Microhabitats sampled: under
rocks, Sphagnum, meadow field layer, mixed moss and meadow litter.
American participants took 223 specimens, of which TWP contributed 36 and
B.K. Urbain, 37.
5 August. We had hardly landed on a beach near Cape Subbotyna, well
down the east shore of the island, when it began to rain with increasing
severity. An attempted ascent of a ravine to the plateau above was aborted
when strong winds blowing across the island changed bad collecting conditions
to impossible ones. Back in the ravine, where it was only raining, some
spiders were collected under stones and a large moss sample was gathered
for sorting back on the ship. Fortunately, the latter proved rich enough
to prevent the day from being wasted. Habitats included meadow, stony ravine
bottom with active stream, rocky hillside, and cobble/boulder upper beach.
KYE ascended a different ravine and sampled in alder thickets. Microhabitats:
under stones; sifted from moss and grass roots in sample returned to the
ship. 156 specimens were taken by American participants, mainly RLC.
7 August. Landing at Mussel' Bay, on the east coast of the island opposite
our previous site, we had access by road to the interior of the island
and also to the adjacent river valley containing an abandoned army camp,
"Onekotan village." RLC and KYE hiked about 2.5 km inland to
a plateau 100 m in elevation, where dry and mesic meadows, dead wood along
the road, alder thickets (especially in a ravine bottom), and a Pinus
pumila clump were sampled. In the adjacent valley, KYE hunted unsuccessfully
for a rumored Sphagnum bog while RLC found an amazing number of
specimens under discarded lumber and sheet metal in the abandoned army
camp. Rich riparian meadow was along the unnamed river here. Microhabitats
sampled: meadow field layer, alder litter, pine litter, pine foliage, under
and in dead wood, under manmade objects, active on ground. American participants
took 323 specimens, of which 54 were contributed by B.K. Urbain.
9 August. An attempt at sampling the south end of the island did not
turn out quite as expected. Apparently, morning fog prevented selection
of a better landing site, and we landed in a narrow shoreline belt at the
base of an extremely steep hillside near (but nearly out of reach of) the
Trudnyi River. RLC sampled mainly shoreline habitats while KYE and others
braved the steep climb and sampled in alder thickets high on the bluff.
Habitats included a rocky headland with few plants but much broken rock
habitat; lush hillside meadows blending into the shoreline meadow at the
top of the beach; the beach itself; and the alder thickets high above.
Tim Pearce, American malacologist, brought down a bag of litter from a
high thicket for later sorting on the ship. Microhabitats included under
stones, meadow field layer (this was one of very few sites in the northern
Kurils where a numerous meadow sweep sample was obtained), active on rocks,
and alder litter. American participants took 576 specimens, of which nearly
half (245) were contributed by TWP who climbed out of the shoreline belt.
Total specimens brought to USA from Onekotan: 1278.
Kharimkotan Island
One day was spent on this island, unfortunately in the low old-sand-dune
habitats of the northwest corner of the island rather than on the lava
flows of the east end, where maps show many caves which were expected to
have interesting fauna. It is not known what other habitats might have
been found there or on the central peak.
8 August. Landed at Severgina Bay near Cape Ankuchi, the northwest point
of the island. Rather than spend most of the day hiking over dunes to the
interior, RLC elected to stay in this lowland peninsula. The spider fauna
here proved better than expected for such a place, though with few surprises
after Onekotan. Habitats visited included sandy-grassy dunes, interdune
ponds and wetlands, a meadowy intermittent wetland (dry at that time) with
band of Sphagnum, alder thickets, more diverse dune meadows, and
extensive fields of driftwood on and between the foredunes. Microhabitats:
field layer vegetation, alder litter, Sphagnum and other mosses,
under drift logs and wood, active on ground. On this and later days TWP
collected extensively from grass and grass litter. American participants
took 574 specimens, of which nearly half (257) were contributed by TWP.
Chirinkotan and Ekarma Islands
Limited-size shore parties, not including this writer, landed on both
these islands briefly on the same day. Judging from the limited collections
brought back to the ship, the spider fauna of Chirinkotan may be the poorest
in species of any island visited this year. The fauna of Ekarma should
be richer due to more diverse habitats and presence of alder thickets,
but this is not reflected in the present collection. Interesting results
are expected from the collections (not seen by me) of KYE and TK. Most
of the spiders brought back to the USA from the two islands were collected
by TWP.
10 August. Morning: Chirinkotan proved to be a tall, roughly square
rock rising almost vertically from the sea on all sides. Many of the steep
slopes supported a lush meadow vegetation, fertilized (as was evident on
closer inspection) by the abundant sea birds. Few shrubs were present.
RLC was not a member of the shore party. TWP collected 84 specimens from
grass and grass litter on the steep slope meadows, supplemented by other
party members to make 111 in all taken by American participants. Afternoon:
Ekarma had a somewhat gentler topography and the standard North-Kuril meadow
and alder thicket habitats, but through an unfortunate communication failure,
RLC did not land here either. Fortunately, both B.K. Urbain and Tim Pearce
brought litter/moss samples back to the ship for me to sort. Habitats sampled
for spiders were chiefly meadow vegetation (BKU), meadow litter (TWP),
alder litter and moss (samples returned to ship). 323 specimens were taken
by American participants, including 95 by TWP, 88 by BKU, and 117 in the
samples brought to the ship.
Shiashkotan Island
We spent relatively little time on this fairly large island, the first
day being cut short and the second made unproductive by rain; as far as
could be judged from one area (both landings were at the same site), habitats
were typical for the northern Kurils.
11 August. Landing at Zakatnaya Bay on the west shore of the "isthmus"
of the island, we found fair (if moist) weather and old trails available
to hike into the interior...but insufficient time to do so, since return
to the ship was set for mid-afternoon. RLC collected in a ravine ascending
the bluff, sampling in rocky habitats, an alder-Sorbus thicket,
and grassy meadow, and in the driftwood and beach meadow below. KYE hiked
far enough inland to find a Sphagnum bog, which, however, proved
singularly unproductive. TWP collected around the remains of a former Japanese
installation and even older Ainu village at the bluff top. Microhabitats:
litter of Alnus, Sorbus, and Pteridium; Sphagnum;
grass foliage and litter; under drift logs; in manmade pits; active on
ground. On 12 August more time was available (albeit at the same landing
site), but rain prevented effective spider collection; aquatic biologists
brought back a few good spider specimens from a marathon hike into the
interior. American participants took 361 specimens on Shiashkotan, including
175 by RLC and 147 by TWP.
Raikoke and Matua Islands
These two islands, about 20 km apart, contrast sharply in environment;
Raikoke was the most barren and Matua the most lushly vegetated of the
islands which were our main goals for this summer's work. Nevertheless,
Raikoke proved to have more spider species than Chirinkotan or Ekarma,
probably because of the proximity of Matua as a source of colonists.
13 August. In the confusion of difficult landings, RLC spent only a
few minutes on this, probably the most barren island we visited with its
cindery volcanic slopes. Birds were numerous, vegetation somewhat sparse
and notably non-diverse. In about a half-day here, 198 spiders were taken
by American participants, most (101) by TWP and mostly from litter habitats
in patches of Angelica and other common plants.
14 August. After landing on Matua, we hiked along roads to the Russian
army base here. Though the day was rainy, the availability of a dry room
in which to sift leaf litter made it possible to collect a large number
of spiders. On our progress southward, this was the first island encountered
with continuous "forests" of alder "trees" (albeit
only 3-4 m high), as opposed to small thickets of alder shrubs. This evidently
makes a considerable difference for spiders, as several of the common species
of the southern and central Kurils first appeared here. Since it continued
raining most of the day, RLC collected primarily in the alder-forest and
clearing habitats around the army base, while KYE scouted out other habitats
and returned early. American participants took about 250 spiders this day,
most by RLC.
15 August. Return to Matua. Weather remained warm and humid all day
on the east coast of the island where we had worked on the 14th. Crossing
the old airstrip to the south tip of the island to collect at a Sphagnum
bog, we encountered foggy conditions together with a cold, biting wind.
This surprising difference in weather was not accompanied by any noticeable
topographic barrier. The bog proved productive; on the way back to the
landing site, RLC took advantage of the better weather there to sample
vegetation habitats, especially grassy meadows which yielded the second
good "sweep" sample of spiders taken this year. Microhabitats:
Sphagnum, grass field layer, under objects in clearing. In all (both
days) American participants took 582 spiders on Matua, mostly by RLC.
Urup Island
After a side trip for water (noted below under Iturup), two days were
spent on opposite shores of southern Urup (central Kurils), this being
the first time on the island for all three 1996 arachnologists. On landing
we were told by entomologist Arkady Lelej that this is the one Kuril island
with abundant blackflies. He was right! Fortunately most of us had head
nets, without which it would have been very difficult to work, as this
blackfly species appears to be terrestrial and is not restricted to the
vicinity of water. Perhaps because of this abundant prey, as well as the
more varied (partly forested) habitats, spider collecting was relatively
productive.
20 August. Landing at Ukromnaya Bay on the southeast shore of the south
tip of Urup, most of the party proceeded up the Ukromnaya River among alder
and willow woodland on the flood plain. The arachnologists climbed the
hills on either side of the river mouth, RLC taking the southern and KYE
the northern hill. On the hillsides were open woodland of alder and occasional
other tree species, with a dense understory of Sasa (dwarf bamboo),
interspersed with meadow areas of Sasa and occasional more grassy
patches. The hill crests had some rocky habitat. Valley bottom forest and
seashore environments were also visited. Microhabitats: Alder/Sasa litter;
pure alder litter; field layer vegetation; under stones. American participants
took 702 specimens, about half (364) by TWP.
21 August. We landed in initially good weather at Tyetyayeva (or Tetyaeva)
Bay on the southwest shore of Urup, about opposite (across the island from)
yesterday's landing. Habitats were different and roads were available to
hike into the interior. RLC visited a ridge crest area with patches of
meadow, alder forest, and dwarf-pine thicket. By this time strong wind
prevented some collecting techniques, but litter sampling proved productive
until mid-afternoon when it began to rain. Passage back to the ship proved
extremely stormy. Microhabitats: Alder/Sasa litter, Pine/Sasa litter, meadow
foliage. 331 spiders were taken by American participants, of which B.K.
Urbain contributed 49.
Total specimens brought back from Urup this year: 1033.
Iturup Island
A need to replenish fresh water, inevitable in retrospect since the
ship's tanks had not been full on starting, led us to visit Konservnaya
Bay on Iturup (the standard ship watering place in these islands) in mid-expedition.
After some work on Urup, another stop was made on Iturup en route to Kunashir.
In each case, two days were partly spent on land, all in areas previously
well-collected by RLC and KYE in 1994. Nevertheless, some additional species
were taken, and the richer habitats of this southern island considerably
augmented our specimen totals.
18-19 August. While the ship took on fresh water, we were allowed to
revisit the familiar scenes of Konservnaya Bay. In efforts to visit subsites
not previously sampled, KYE perilously climbed the steep bluffs to the
plateau above while RLC used the bed of the main stream entering the head
of the bay as a route through the impenetrable Sasa thickets to
a higher zone of vegetation. Habitats visited by the latter included lush
riparian forest of mixed tree species and Sasa; a higher belt of
forest dominated by Betula ermanii, still with Sasa understory;
rocky dry streambed; a well-drained sandy area amid the remains of the
former cannery for which the bay is named. Microhabitats: Sasa litter;
Betula-Alnus-Prunus-Sorbus litter; riparian forest understory foliage;
under stones; active on ground. American collectors took 710 spiders, about
half (379) by TWP.
22-23 August. En route southward, a two day stopover was made on the
north side of Dobroye Nachalo Bay, where the spiders had been extremely
well sampled in 1994. On the first day, RLC and KYE visited small Lake
Natasha which we had not seen on the previous trip, sampling in swampy
lakeside forest with maple, alder and true fir. Microhabitats included
moss (on logs, roots and soil), litter, understory foliage, and under bark.
On the second day, intensive collecting was neglected in favor of seeking
out special habitats. RLC spent the day seeking additional caves in the
lava flow (some unique spiders had been found in the one small cave found
previously). Only one additional cave was found, but additional specimens
of one species and our first mature specimens of two others resulted. KYE
concentrated on finding synanthropic species in old military installations.
American collectors took 464 specimens here this year, 162 of them by TWP.
Total specimens brought back from Iturup this year: 1174.
Kunashir Island
This island, one of the two richest in spider fauna in the entire archipelago
(the other is Shikotan), merits as much additional work as can be managed.
Even the one full day and one partial day of spider collecting done here
in passing in 1996 were very beneficial and added several species and genera
to the list.
25 August. KYE revisited the bog inland from Yuzhno-Kurilsk which had
been sampled twice in 1994, in hopes of getting mature males of several
species previously found as females. He found that the weather this year
had caused flooding of the bog and greatly reduced spider fauna there,
which was much "earlier" in seasonal status than would have been
the case at this date in a normal year. Thus, this project was largely
unsuccessful. RLC accompanied the ichthyologists to the trailhead for the
"goby hot springs" in the foothills of Vulkan Mendeleeva. Available
habitats included mixed deciduous forest, stands of Abies sachalinensis
and Picea glehnii, an open Sasa-herb clearing, and roadside
verge. Microhabitats sampled: field layer vegetation in clearing (the Sasa
here had many spiders on it); Betula-Sasa litter; conifer foliage;
forest floor moss; active on ground. Specimens collected by RLC (only American
collector), 331.
26 August. RLC was the only arachnologist collecting this half-day,
and was dropped off at a Sphagnum bog south of Lake Aliger on the
west shore of the island, just inland from the dune belt. This bog was
not flooded at the time, and looked extremely promising, but, as with KYE's
experience the day before, the Sphagnum yielded few spiders, mostly
immature. The spruce trees and bog meadow foliage were, fortunately, more
productive. Specimens from this area: 146.
Total specimens brought back from Kunashir this year: 483.
RESULTS: PRELIMINARY SPECIES IDENTIFICATIONS,
WITH NOTES
|
Abbreviation
|
Island
|
Specimens (to USA)
|
Days+Part Days
|
Species (USA specimens)
|
|
PA
|
Paramushir
|
565
|
2
|
57
|
|
ON
|
Onekotan
|
1278
|
4
|
58
|
|
KH
|
Kharimkotan
|
574
|
1
|
39
|
|
CR
|
Chirinkotan
|
111
|
0.5
|
14
|
|
EK
|
Ekarma
|
323
|
0.5
|
14
|
|
SA
|
Shiashkotan
|
361
|
2
|
30
|
|
RK
|
Raikoke
|
198
|
1
|
21
|
|
MA
|
Matua
|
582
|
2
|
33
|
|
Total, "new" Islands
|
|
3992
|
13
|
110
|
|
UR
|
Urup
|
1033
|
2
|
54
|
|
IT
|
Iturup
|
1174
|
4
|
73
|
|
KU
|
Kunashir
|
483
|
2
|
60
|
|
Total, "old" Islands
|
|
2690
|
8
|
129
|
|
Grand Total
|
|
6682
|
21
|
194
|
The species statistics given above and identifications given below are
only estimates, from preliminary field ID. Many specimens have not been
identified to species level yet and some other preliminary identifications
will be changed. The final species numbers from this collection may be
higher, and large additions are expected when the material collected by
KYE and TK is added. The following discussions are not done island by island,
but segregate this year's collection into two groups: the islands visited
for the first time (Paramushir south to Matua) and those previously visited
by IKIP-1994 or IKIP-1995 (Urup, Iturup and Kunashir).
Symbols: M = males, F = females, J = juveniles
North and North-Central Kuril Islands (Paramushir to Matua)
The following records mark the first collections by IKIP from any of
these eight islands, and the first spiders known to have been collected
on any of the seven islands from Onekotan to Matua. All or part of 13 days
were spent collecting on these islands (mean 261 specimens per day).
Order Araneida
Family Amaurobiidae
Cybaeopsis typica, MA (FJ). This species, common on the southern
Kurils, appeared for the first time on Matua on our route southward. There
was no trace of amaurobiids on Raikoke northward, yet on Matua it is already
common. Evidently the requirement for forest is the strongest determinant
of the range of this species within the archipelago.
Family Tetragnathidae
Tetragnatha extensa, PA (MF), ON, SA. Common on all islands from
Kunashir to Paramushir.
Family Araneidae
Larinioides patagiatus, PA (MJ), ON. Holarctic species previously
found on Iturup.
Family Mimetidae
Ero furcata, ON (F). Second finding in archipelago (found on
Iturup by IKIP-94).
Family Theridiidae
Enoplognatha tecta, PA (MJ), ON, KH, SA, RK, MA. Common on all
islands from Kunashir to Paramushir.
Robertus lividus, PA (MF), ON (M), KH, CR (FJ), SA, RK, MA. Already
known from Paramushir and Shumshu.
Theridion sp. (nr. tinctum), ON (J).
Family Linyphiidae
Agyneta allosubtilis, ON. Previously found in central Kurils,
1995.
Ainerigone saitoi, KH. Previously found in southern Kurils, 1994.
Baryphyma pini, PA. Previously found in southern Kurils.
Baryphyma sp. indet., possibly new, ON (MF), KH, CR, EK, SA,
RK, MA.
Bathyphantes pogonias, ON, KH(F), EK, MA. Common on all islands,
Kunashir to Paramushir, but more so in south Kurils.
Bathyphantes setiger, PA (F), ON, CR, RK. Previously recorded
from Shumshu.
Bathyphantes sp. indet., PA (M).
Centromerus sylvaticus, PA (F), ON (F), KH, CR, EK, SA, RK, MA.
This species proved to be common from Paramushir south to northern Iturup.
Absent in southern Iturup and Kunashir, where it is replaced by C. terrigenus,
which was found north to southern Urup.
Ceraticelus sibiricus, PA (F). New to archipelago.
Ceraticelus sp. indet. (red-brown), ON (F), KH. ON-96-RLC-017
and -020.
Ceraticelus sp. indet. (black), ON (F). ON-96-RLC-017.
Ceratinella sp. 1, ON (F), CR (M), SA. Undescribed species found
in south Kurils by IKIP-94.
Ceratinella sp. 2, PA (J), ON (FJ), KH, EK, SA, RK. Undescribed
species found on Iturup by IKIP-94.
Cnephalocotes obscurus, KH (M). New to archipelago. The finding
of this specimen inadvertently led to the discovery of a junior synonym
of this palaearctic species: the Japanese Nematogmus rutilis Oi.
Diplocentria bidentata, PA (F), KH (M). New to archipelago.
Diplocentria sp. indet., ON, MA.
Diplocephalus sp. nov., PA (M/KYE), ON (MF), EK.
Dismodicus sp., PA (F). A member of the difficult-to-identify
bifrons group.
Eboria lapponica, PA. Holarctic species new to archipelago.
Erigone atra, MA. Known from Paramushir to Kunashir but more
common in the southern Kurils.
Erigone capra, PA, ON. Found on Iturup by IKIP-94.
Erigone simillima, PA (M). Already known from Paramushir, but
the male is undescribed.
Erigone sp. indet. (aletris group). PA, ON, KH.
Gnathonarium suppositum, PA (MF), ON, KH, CR, EK, SA, RK, MA.
Common on all islands, Kunashir to Paramushir
Hilaira herniosa, PA. Previously known from Shumshu.
Hilaira leviceps, RK (M). Previously known from Shumshu.
Hilaira nubigena, PA. New to archipelago.
Hilaira sp. indet., ON, SA, RK.
Hypomma affine, PA (MF), ON, KH, SA, MA. Found (not very common)
Kunashir to Paramushir.
Hypselistes basarukini, PA. New to archipelago.
Lepthyphantes bipilis, PA (F), KH, RK. New to archipelago.
Lepthyphantes nebulosus, MA (M). A synanthropic species found
on the Army post; previously known from Iturup.
Lepthyphantes nigriventris, ON, MA. Already known from Paramushir
to Iturup.
Lepthyphantes sp. indet., PA (M).
Lepthyphantes sp. indet. (tenuis group, brown), PA (F).
Lepthyphantes sp. indet. (tenuis group, patterned), PA
(F), ON (MF), KH, EK, SA.
Lepthyphantes sp. indet., CR (J), SA (J).
Leptorhoptrum robustum, PA (F), ON, KH, CR (MF), EK, SA, MA.
Common on northern Kurils, occurs south to Iturup.
Leptorhoptrum sp. nov., PA (F).
Maro sp., indet., PA (F).
Meioneta sp. indet., KH, CR, RK (M).
Micrargus herbigradus, KH. Previously known from Paramushir.
Nippononeta kurilensis, ON (F), SA, RK, MA. Previously known
only from Kunashir.
"Oedothorax trilobatus" Banks, PA (M/KYE). The finding
of this Nearctic species, incorrectly placed in Oedothorax, in the
Kurils suggests that its true affinities lie with Palaearctic fauna. Its
taxonomic status will be investigated by KYE. New to Palaearctic region.
Oreonetides vaginatus, PA(F). Determined as such by KYE, but
could be distinct. Already known from Paramushir. SA (F), typical female.
Poeciloneta sp., PA (F). New to archipelago.
Porrhomma hakusanense, ON. New to archipelago.
Porrhomma pallidum, PA. Found on Kunashir and Iturup by IKIP-94.
Savignya saitoi, ON (MF), KH, CR, EK, SA, RK. Previously known
only from south Kurils, this species proved to be common from Onekotan
southward, but was not found on Paramushir.
Scotinotylus alienus, ON, KH. New to archipelago.
Scotinotylus sp. nov. (nr. antennatus), ON(F; M/KYE),
KH, CR, RK, MA.
Sisicottus sp. nov. #1, ON (MF/KYE) (coll. independently later
on PA by Y.Marusik). One of the most remarkable results of IKIP-96 is the
finding of two new species in this genus, formerly thought to be of Nearctic-only
distribution. These species are already under study by Jeremy Miller of
George Washington University.
Sisicottus sp. nov. #2, ON (MF), KH, CR, EK, SA, MA.
Tiso aestivus, ON (MF). Previously known from Iturup.
Tmeticus sp., PA (MF), MA (M). Either T. japonicus (south
Kurils) or T. tolli (new to archipelago).
Tunagyna debilis, PA, ON, KH. Already known from Paramushir and
Shumshu.
Ummeliata sp. nov., PA (F), ON (F).
Ummeliata angulitubera, MA (MF). Common in southern Kurils, this
is the northernmost record. See discussion under Cybaeopsis typica.
Walckenaeria clavicornis, KH. Found on Iturup by IKIP-94.
Walckenaeria cuspidata, PA (F), ON, MA. Previously found on Shumshu.
Walckenaeria golovatchi, ON. Previously known from south Kurils.
Walckenaeria karpinskii, RK, MA. New to archipelago.
Walckenaeria nudipalpis, PA, SA. Found on Zelionyi by IKIP-94.
Walckenaeria sp. indet. (nr. lepida), SA, MA (MF).
Walckenaeria sp. indet. (spiralis group), ON (M), KH(M),
SA (M).
Walckenaeria sp. indet. (red), ON.
Sp. indet. (like Drepanotylus), PA (F). In PA-96-RLC-004.
Sp. indet. with minute scape, PA (F). In PA-96-RLC-010.
Sp. indet. bilobed, PA (F). In PA-96-RLC-010.
Sp. indet. (like Ainerigone), ON (F). In ON-96-RLC-020.
Sp. indet. (like Eulaira), ON (F). In ON-96-RLC-020.
Sp. indet. (dark area, round notch), ON (F). In ON-96-RLC-023.
Sp. indet. (rectangular notch), ON (F), KH (F). In ON-96-RLC-023, KH-96-TWP-015.
Sp. indet. (Meioneta-like), ON (F). In ON-96-RLC-023.
Sp. indet. (Porrhomma-like), EK (F). In EK-96-TWP-023.
Sp. indet. (large), MA (F). In MA-96-RLC-043.
Sp. indet. (small pale), MA (F). In MA-96-RLC-044, MA-96-TWP-030 (different?).
Family Lycosidae
Pirata piraticus, PA (F). Previously found by IKIP in southern
Kurils.
Pardosa riparia, PA (F), KH. This species and P. palustris,
atrata, prativaga, sibirica were found together in the same Sphagnum
bog, first day on Paramushir.
Pardosa paramushirensis, SA. Described from Paramushir by Nakatsudi
(1937), this species was recently rediscovered in Japan (Chikuni 1989a).
This finding shows that the distribution is not disjunct. Apparently it
is limited to habitats found on volcanic peaks, thus is not often found
by largely shore-limited IKIP work.
Pardosa palustris, PA (F), ON (F), KH, SA, RK, MA. Holarctic
species, common throughout Kurils.
Pardosa atrata, PA (F). New to archipelago.
Pardosa prativaga, PA . New to archipelago.
Pardosa sibirica, PA. New to archipelago.
Pardosa sp. indet. (black carapace), KH (J).
Trochosa terricola, PA (FJ), ON, KH, SA, MA. Common on all islands,
Kunashir to Paramushir, but more so in the northern and central Kurils.
Family Gnaphosidae
Haplodrassus signifer (or related species), PA (J), ON (FJ),
KH, SA (F). Already known from Paramushir; our specimen from there was
kept alive for rearing.
Family Clubionidae (sensu lato)
Cheiracanthium erraticum, PA (FJ), ON (MFJ). Previously found
on central Kurils and Iturup; immatures, probably this species, known from
Kunashir and Shikotan.
Clubiona latericia, PA (M), ON. Found on Kunashir and Zelionyi
by IKIP-94.
Clubiona mayumiae, ON, KH (MF), CR, EK, SA, MA. Previously found
on Iturup, south to Japan.
Clubiona riparia, KH (M), SA (F). Known from Paramushir to Kunashir,
but not very common.
Clubiona yagata, KH. New to archipelago.
Clubiona sp. (bilobed female), ON (F).
Clubiona sp. indet., SA (F).
Clubiona sp. indet., RK (J), MA (J).
Family Thomisidae (sensu lato)
Lysiteles sp. indet., ON (J).
Ozyptila sincera, PA (MJ) ON, SA, RK, MA. New to archipelago.
Ozyptila trux, PA (M), RK. Previously known from Shumshu; found
on Kunashir and Iturup by IKIP-94.
Ozyptila sp. indet., KH (J).
Tibellus oblongus, PA (J), ON, MA. Previously known from south
Kurils; holarctic species.
Xysticus sp., PA (J), ON (J), MA (J).
Xysticus cristatus, ON (F). New to archipelago.
Order Phalangida
Family Ischyropsalididae
Nipponopsalis yezoensis, ON (MFJ), CR (M), EK, SA, RK, MA. Previously
known from south Kurils.
Family Phalangiidae
Indet. sp., PA (F).
Homolophus arcticus, PA (J), ON. Common on all islands, Kunashir
to Paramushir, chiefly in beach habitats.
Mitopus morio, PA (MF), ON, KH, RK, MA. Moderately common on
northern Kurils, somewhat more so on central Kurils south to Itururp.
Mizozatus flavidus, ON (MFJ), KH (J), CR (J), EK (MJ), SA(FJ),
RK (MFJ), MA (FJ). This species, described from Paramushir by Nakatsudi
(1937), has been "lost" for over 50 years, remaining unknown
even to cataloguers, before being re-discovered this year by IKIP. It is
a distinct species of the subfamily Opilioninae, with affinities to the
genus Opilio, but it is possible that even the genus may be valid.
If so, it would be the only known genus endemic to the Kuril Islands (unless
and until it is found in Kamchatka).
Phalangium opilio, MA (F). A synanthropic species found on the
Army base.
Family Sclerosomatidae
Leiobunum globosum, PA (FJ), previously known from south Kurils
and Japan.
Urup, Iturup, and Kunashir Islands
The following records are from this year's work on these three islands
which had previously been visited by IKIP in 1994 and/or 1995. In all,
8 days, including two half-days and one on which little collecting was
done, were spent on these islands this year (mean 336 spiders per day).
The greater number directly reflects the lusher and more varied vegetation
and more clement weather found in the southern Kurils, which also can boast
of a substantially greater spider species richness. Thus, the additional
work here was by no means uncalled-for, though even better results would
have been obtained by visiting new sites.
Order Araneida
Family Amaurobiidae
Cybaeopsis typica, UR, IT. Previously found on these islands.
Family Dictynidae
Dictyna sp. indet., KU (J).
Family Tetragnathidae
Dyschiriognatha quadrimaculata, IT (MF), KU (F). Previously found
on Kunashir.
Meta sp. indet., UR (J), IT (FJ). Probably a species endemic
to Japan and the Kuril Islands.
Metleucauge sp. indet., UR (J), IT (J).
Tetragnatha dearmata, IT. New island record; previously known
from Kunashir. Holarctic.
Tetragnatha extensa, UR, IT. Common on all islands from Kunashir
to Paramushir.
Tetragnatha pinicola, KU. Previously found on south Kurils.
Tetragnatha yesoensis, KU. Previously found on Kunashir.
Family Araneidae
Araneus sp. indet., UR (J).
Araneus marmoreus, KU (MF). Previously known from Kunashir, but
this is first IKIP collection.
Araneus sp., probably nov. (near triguttatus), IT. This species
was described from Japan (but unfortunately not named!) by Chikuni (1989b).
Also found on Shikotan by IKIP-94.
Singa hamata, IT. Found by KYE in the original small cave at
Dobroye Nachalo Bay. New to archipelago.
Larinioides sp. indet., IT (J), KU (J).
Yaginumia sia, IT (F), KU (J). New to archipelago. New genus
for Russian territory.
Zilla sachalinensis, IT (F), KU. Previously known from south
Kurils; not yet found in the north.
Family Theridiosomatidae
Theridiosoma epeiroides, IT (M). New island records; previously
found on Kunashir.
Family Theridiidae
Achaearanea albipes, IT (F), KU (F). New island record; common
on Kunashir.
Achaearanea tepidariorum, IT (F). Found by KYE at Dobroye Nachalo
Bay; new island record of this synanthropic species, previously found on
Kunashir and Zelionyi.
Argyrodes saganus, IT, KU. Previously known from south Kurils.
Dipoena mustelina, KU. Already known from south Kurils.
Enoplognatha tecta, UR, IT. Common throughout Kurils.
Robertus ungulatus, UR. Previously known from south Kurils, Sakhalin,
Japan...and a disjunct distribution in Europe! Replaced in north Kurils
by R. lividus.
Theridion bimaculatum, KU. Previously found on Kunashir and Sakhalin.
Theridion nigrolimbatum, UR, IT, KU. Common in south Kurils;
Urup is its northernmost island.
Theridion sterninotatum, KU. New to archipelago.
Theridion sp. indet. (perhaps subpallens), UR. May be
new to archipelago.
Family Nesticidae
Howaia brevipes, UR (MF), IT, KU. Common in south Kurils; Urup
is its northernmost island.
Howaia sp., possibly different, IT (F).
Family Linyphiidae
Ainerigone saitoi, IT, KU. Common in south Kurils; this year
also found on Kharimkotan.
Aprifrontalia mascula, IT. New to archipelago.
Baryphyma sp. indet., possibly new, UR.
Bathyphantes pogonias, UR, IT. Common on all islands, Kunashir
to Paramushir, but more so in south Kurils.
Carorita sp. nov., UR (MF). Previously found on south Kurils
by IKIP-94.
Centromerus sylvaticus, UR. Common from Iturup northward.
Centromerus terrigenus, UR, IT, KU. Common from southern Urup
southward; the two only seem to be sympatric on southern Urup and Iturup.
Ceratinella sp. nr. rosea, UR. If correct, new to archipelago.
Ceratinella brevis, IT. New to archipelago.
Ceratinella sp. 2, UR, IT. Undescribed species previously found
in south Kurils.
Dactylopisthes sp. nov., UR (M), IT (M). Found in northern Kurils
by KYE this year also.
Diplocentria sp. indet., UR (F), IT (F).
Diplocentria, second species (truncate scape), UR (F).
Gnathonarium suppositum, UR, IT, KU. Common on all islands, Kunashir
to Paramushir.
Gonatium nipponicum, UR, IT, KU . Known from south Kurils; Urup
is its northernmost island.
Herbiphantes cericeus, IT, KU. Previously found in south Kurils.
Hypomma affine, IT. Found (not very common) Kunashir to Paramushir.
Lepthyphantes bipilis, UR. New to archipelago (also found this
year in northern islands).
Lepthyphantes nigriventris, UR (MF). Already known from Paramushir
to Iturup.
Leptorhoptrum robustum, UR, IT. Common on northern Kurils, occurs
south to Iturup.
Leptorhoptrum sp. indet., possibly an atypical robustum,
UR.
Micrargus apertus, UR, KU (M). New to archipelago.
Neriene angulifera, IT Previously known from south Kurils.
Neriene emphana, IT, KU. Abundant in south Kurils but not yet
known from the north.
Neserigone basarukini, KU. Common in south Kurils; not yet found
in the north.
Nippononeta kurilensis, UR. Previously known from south Kurils
only.
Oreonetides shimizui, UR, IT. Known from south Kurils; Urup is
its northernmost island.
Savignia saitoi, UR, IT, KU. Previously known only from south
Kurils, this species proved to be common from Onekotan southward, but was
not found on Paramushir.
Strandella fluctimaculata, KU (F). New to archipelago.
Strandella sp. indet., KU (F). Probably one of the species already
known from this island.
Taranucnus nishikii, IT. Found in both small caves at Dobroye
Nachalo Bay. Previously known from this area, Kunashir, and Japan.
Tmeticus japonicus, UR, IT, KU. Previously known from south Kurils.
Tmeticus sp. indet. (possibly 2 spp.), UR (M), IT (F).
Ummeliata angulitubera, UR (MF), IT. Common in south Kurils.
Ummeliata osakaensis, UR, IT. Common in south Kurils.
Walckenaeria golovatchi, UR, IT. Previously known from south
Kurils; found this year also on north Kurils.
Walckenaeria karpinskii, UR. New to archipelago (also found this
year in north Kurils).
Walckenaeria mayumiae, IT (F). New to archipelago, previously
known only from Japan.
Wubanoides septentrionalis, IT, KU. Very common in south Kurils
but not known from the north.
Indet. sp. (transverse oval plate), IT (F). In IT-96-TAP-072.
Indet. sp. (bright color, short truncate scape), IT (F), KU (F). In
IT-96-TWP-033, KU-96-RLC-068 (possibly different).
Indet. sp. (rectangular notch; also in north), IT (F). In IT-96-TWP-040.
Indet. sp. (large dark oval plate with arcs), KU (F). In KU-96-RLC-065.
Indet. sp. (central atrium), KU (F). In KU-96-RLC-066.
Indet. sp. (Spirembolus-like), KU (F). In KU-96-RLC-066.
Indet. sp. (converging plate edges), KU (F). In KU-96-RLC-066.
Indet. sp. (appearance of intersecting plate edges), KU (F). In KU-96-RLC-069.
Indet. sp. (Tmeticus-like), KU (F). KU-96-RLC-069.
Family Agelenidae (sensu lato)
Cryphoeca silvicola, UR. First recorded from archipelago on Kunashir
and Iturup by IKIP-94.
Cybaeus basarukini, UR (MF), IT (MF). Species previously known
from Kunashir and Iturup. Genus is common in south Kurils; Urup is its
northernmost island.
Cybaeus striatipes, UR. Formerly known from the original description
of Bösenberg and Strand (1906), "Nord-Japan" (Hokkaido),
this species was rediscovered by IKIP-94 on Shikotan. Urup is the farthest
north site to date.
Family Hahniidae
Neoantistea sp. nov., UR (MJ). Previously found on Iturup and
Zelionyi.
Family Lycosidae
Pardosa astrigera, KU (F). Previously known from south Kurils.
Pardosa lugubris, IT. Previously known from south Kurils; not
yet found in the north.
Pardosa riparia, IT. Previously known from south Kurils; also
found this year on Paramushir. One unusual specimen from Iturup may be
different.
Pirata piraticus, UR, KU (J). Previously found by IKIP in southern
Kurils; found this year also on Paramushir, so this Holarctic species is
now known to be distributed throughout the chain.
Trochosa terricola, UR, IT. Prior to IKIP, the only spider recorded
from Urup.
Xerolycosa nemoralis, IT. Previously known from south Kurils.
A spider of dry, well-drained sites.
Family Anyphaenidae
Anyphaena pugil, KU (F). Previously found on Kunashir and Sakhalin.
Family Clubionidae (sensu lato)
Agroeca sp. indet., IT (J).
Cheiracanthium erraticum, UR, IT, KU. Previously found on central
Kurils and Iturup; found this year in northern Kurils.
Clubiona sp., possibly amurensis, IT (F), KU (F). New
to archipelago.
Clubiona ezoensis, UR, IT. Known from south Kurils; Urup is its
northernmost island.
Clubiona kunashirensis, KU. Previously found on Kunashir and
Iturup.
Clubiona kurilensis, UR. Previously known from south Kurils only.
Clubiona mayumiae, IT, KU. Previously found in south Kurils,
this year first recorded from the north.
Clubiona propinqua, UR. May be new to archipelago, but female
needs dissection for final ID.
Clubiona riparia, IT (MF). Previously known from south Kurils.
Many taken in light trap; one unusual specimen may be different.
Clubiona sapporensis, IT. Abundant in south Kurils; not known
north of Urup.
Family Gnaphosidae
Drassodes lapidosus, UR. Found on rocky hilltop; previously known
from Kunashir.
Drassyllus sp. indet., IT (J), KU (J). A species of this genus
has been recorded from Kunashir, but has not been taken by IKIP.
Haplodrassus sp. indet., UR (J). This genus has not been found
on the southern Kurils.
Kishidaia albimaculata, KU (MJ). New to archipelago and new genus
for Russian territory.
Micaria pulicaria, IT (F). New to archipelago; also found on
Urup by KYE, who found a different Micaria species in the northern
Kurils this year.
Family Thomisidae (sensu lato)
Diaea subdola, KU (M). Previously known from Kunashir.
Lysiteles maior, IT, KU. Previously known from south Kurils.
Misumenops sp. indet., KU (J).
Ozyptila sp. indet., IT (J), KU (J).
Philodromus cespitum, KU. Holarctic species previously found
in south Kurils.
Philodromus sp., rufus group, KU (J). Previously found
on Kunashir.
Tibellus oblongus, UR (J), KU. Holarctic species, now found in
all parts of archipelago.
Xysticus sp. indet., UR (J), IT (J), KU (J).
Xysticus audax, IT (F). Previously known from Kunashir; first
recorded this year in the north.
Xysticus kurilensis, IT (F). Previously known from south Kurils.
Xysticus sp. indet., KU (M).
Family Salticidae
Marpissa pomatia, KU (M). Previously found in south Kurils.
Neon reticulatus, IT, KU. Previously found in south Kurils.
Phintella linea, KU. Previously known from south Kurils.
Salticus sp. indet., KU (J). Genus new to archipelago.
Sitticus eskovi, IT (J). Previously known from south Kurils.
Yaginumaella ususudi, UR, IT, KU. Common in south Kurils; Urup
is northernmost island for this species and its family.
Yaginumaella striatipes, IT. Previously found on Kunashir; new
island record.
Order Phalangida
Family Ischyropsalididae
Nipponopsalis yezoensis, IT (F), KU (J). Previously found in
south Kurils; this year first recorded from the north.
Sabacon sp. indet. (probably makinoi), UR (FJ), IT (J),
KU (J). Genus not found on northern islands.
Family Caddidae
Caddo agilis, IT. New island record for this remarkable relict
genus, known from Japan and the south Kurils; New England; and Baltic amber!
An IKIP-94 record from Kunashir may be a second species, C. pepperella;
both are known from Hokkaido (and New England!).
Family Phalangiidae
Homolophus arcticus, UR, IT. Common on all islands, Kunashir
to Paramushir, chiefly in beach habitats.
Mitopus morio, UR (M). Moderately common on northern Kurils,
somewhat more so on central Kurils south to Itururp.
Mizozatus flavidus, UR (J). See notes in list for northern islands.
Urup appears to be its southernmost occurrence.
Oligolophus aspersus, IT, KU. Very common in south Kurils but
not found from Urup northward.
Phalangium opilio, IT. Previously known from south Kurils; recorded
this year also from Matua.
Family Sclerosomatidae
Leiobunum globosum, IT (FJ), KU (numerous). Common in south Kurils,
this year first recorded from the north.
Nelima genufusca, IT (M), KU (numerous). Common in south Kurils,
not yet recorded from the north.
PRELIMINARY DISCUSSION
Completeness of Data
As with previous years' collecting in other parts of the archipelago,
our sample this year from the northern and north-central Kuril Islands
gives a very incomplete picture of the total spider fauna.
Taking the data gathered by our expedition and that published by Marusik
et al. (1992) together, RLC is reasonably sure that no one of the islands
visited has as much as 50% of its spider species now known. Indeed, aside
from Paramushir, the northern islands visited this year had no previous
spider records at all. The most time we spent on any northern island this
year was on Onekotan, 4 days. All of these days were in the first part
of August (in the north temperate zone, generally the poorest time of year
for spiders), and on only one day were weather and access conditions conducive
to a really good day's collecting. The area of Onekotan is over 450 square
km, with a patchwork of many habitats, only a few of which we had time
to visit. The range of elevations is from sea level to 1019 m, but all
spider samples were taken below 100 m. Most spider species have a limited
season of maturity (including subnivial species found only in winter),
and we have sampled only one season, and that one far from the most productive.
Considering all these factors, it is possible that the 58 species herein
reported from Onekotan represent as little as 10% of the total fauna of
the island; I would say it could not be more than 30%. With pre-IKIP records
added in, Paramushir now has more spider species recorded (65) than any
other northern Kuril island, but it is also the largest and most diverse,
so similar constraints apply there. There is a potential to improve our
knowledge of the spiders of Paramushir in 1997, but a return to the islands
from Onekotan to Matua is not planned under the present project.
Although the faunal lists generated this year are thus extremely incomplete,
they do provide us with data for comparisons, since all the collections
were taken in the same month under similar limitations. Also, taxonomic
and single-species or pair-of-species zoogeographic work can be undertaken
on species that have been found, even though most of the spider fauna remains
unknown. What we will not be able to do is any work which requires reliable
species absence data, species richness data, or comparisons of overall
faunas. All of the data we have taken are important, since they fill in
many gaps in species distributions, reveal the existence of new species,
and provide knowledge of habitat (both microhabitat and macrohabitat) for
most of the species collected for the first time.
Taxonomic Information
A number of undescribed species are represented in the above lists from
1996 collecting. More may be expected among the species not yet fully identified.
Of the species already known or strongly suspected to be new, 7 have not
been taken in previous years whereas 4 were previously taken in the south
Kurils and have now had their ranges extended northward.
NEW THIS YEAR (All species new this year are Linyphiidae)
- Baryphyma sp. nov. ON to MA inclusive, UR
- Dactylopisthes sp. nov., PA to UR
- Diplocephalus sp. nov., PA to EK
- Leptorhoptrum sp. nov., PA
- Scotinotylus sp. nov., ON to MA
- Sisicottus sp. #1, PA to ON
- Sisicottus sp. #2, ON to MA
- Ummeliata sp. nov., PA, ON
NEW PREVIOUS YEARS, RANGE EXTENDED
- Ceratinella sp. 1 (north, central, south)
- Ceratinella sp. 2 (north, central, south)
- Carorita sp. nov. (south and now Urup)
- Neoantistea sp. nov. (south and now Urup)
The following species taken this year are of special taxonomic interest
for reasons other than newness or simple range extension:
Erigone simillima. The male of this species, taken this year
with females, has been undescribed. Description of the male will enable
placement of this obscure species in proper relation to its congeners.
Leptorhoptrum sp. nov. and Carorita sp. nov.: These genera
have previously been considered monotypic so the finding of new species
is of special importance for both taxonomy and historical zoogeography.
Micrargus spp. Two species found this year in the north and central
Kurils resemble M. herbigradus and M. apertus, members of
a complex of species all of whose members have been described from Europe.
This material will permit evaluation of whether the species of this complex
in east Asia are actually distinct.
Neoantistea sp. nov. Range extension of this new species to Urup
is timely, as its description is planned for the very near future.
"Oedothorax trilobatus" Banks. This species, like others
described from North America in the genus Oedothorax, does not belong
in that genus. It may very well be a new genus, but finding the species
in the northern Kurils opens the possibility that it may have Asian relatives.
KYE is investigating this question. The Kuril specimens are nearly identical
to those in RLC's collection from Washington, USA.
Scotinotylus sp. nov. This species is related to the European
S. antennatus and the North American S. eutypus. Its study
should provide new clues to the relationships, evolution and historical
zoogeography of this species complex.
Sisicottus spp. nov. Finding of these species is of peculiar
interest since the genus has heretofore been found only in North America.
These species are very closely related to the western North American S.
panopeus (see Miller 1996). Indeed, J. Miller, who is now examining
them, finds them so close that the relationship may be at the subspecies
level, though RLC is inclined to disagree. In any case, they will be very
important to Miller's conclusions about the genus, which will be submitted
for publication early in 1997.
Pardosa paramushirensis. This species was originally described
from Paramushir (Nakatsudi 1937) but remained "lost" for many
years until rediscovered recently in Japan (Chikuni 1989a). Our (P. Oberg's)
finding it on a mountaintop in Shiashkotan shows that the distribution
is not wholly discontinuous, and suggests that the species occurs at similar
sites on other islands, not sampled to date because of the logistical limitations
of IKIP.
Haplodrassus signifer. These specimens, possibly not true H.
signifer, will be of considerable importance to a forthcoming study
of the group by our IKIP colleague Yuri Marusik.
Yaginumia sia and Kishidaia albimaculata. These Japanese
species found this year in the southern Kurils add two additional genera
to the fauna of Russian-held territory.
Mizozatus flavidus. This harvestman, described from Paramushir
by Nakatsudi (1937), has remained unknown to science ever since. Indeed,
the original publication was so obscure that it was omitted (I regret to
state) from the world catalogue of the group by Crawford (1992). Earlier
this year, RLC rediscovered it in IKIP-1995 material from Urup. It proved
to be the most common phalangiid harvestman on the islands from Onekotan
to Raikoke. The resulting wealth of material will make it possible to evaluate
the genus Mizozatus and its relationships. If the genus proves to
be valid, it would be the only known genus endemic to the Kuril Islands
(unless and until it is found in Kamchatka).
Caddo spp. At least one, possibly two species of this harvestman
genus whose distribution is decidedly relictual have been found on the
South Kurils now, respectively on Kunashir and Iturup. The question of
how they got there is the greatest unsolved puzzle to emerge to date from
the arachnid results of IKIP.
Zoogeographic Relationships
In addition to species new to science, at least 34 species (almost certainly,
more are among the presently unidentified material) were newly recorded
for the Kuril archipelago and even more for individual islands; species
recorded for Onekotan, Kharimkotan, Chirinkotan, Ekarma, Shiashkotan, Raikoke
and Matua were the first spiders to be recorded from those islands.
Having now visited the entire length of the Kuril Archipelago, we can
begin to identify north-south distribution patterns of species and higher
taxa. It is, perhaps, a bit early to do this for many species, since the
collection is so incomplete. However, a summary of the presently known
north-south distribution of spider and harvestman taxa at the family level
is interesting and is presented in the table below.
NORTH-SOUTH DISTRIBUTION PATTERNS
OF ARACHNID FAMILIES IN THE KURIL ARCHIPELAGO.
Notes: the KU column includes records from Shikotan and Zelionyi as
well as Kunashir. Records from these islands and Iturup include literature
records. S-CENT indicates the islands from Urup north to Rasshua, sampled
mainly by IKIP-95. The PA column also includes literature records (see
Appendix) which are from Paramushir, Shumshu, and Atlasova (Alaid). Many
of the data in this table (even from the southern and central Kurils) were
obtained in 1996.
