Kryptonesticus eremita (Simon, 1879) is a troglophile spider which is well distributed in subterranean ecosystems around the Mediterranean basin. As a spin-off from a larger study about the macroinvertebrate community of a guano-rich temperate cave (Buca dei Ladri, Italy), we investigated the distribution of K. eremita in association with the intrinsic characteristics of the cave. As a corollary of this main analysis, we also provided observational notes on the prey items consumed by K. eremita. We found that the abundance of the spider is positively associ- ated with a greater complexity of the substrate and a higher tem- perature; and we observed a decrease in the spider abundance on mud substrates compared to rock and soil substrates. The abun- dance of potential prey does not appear to influence the abun- dance of K. eremita, likely due to its very broad diet and the generally high density of prey throughout the cave. When analysing the data by life stage, we found that temperature and substrate complexity affect only the adult stage; in contrast, juvenile individuals show a negative association with both mud and guano substrates. These results suggest that K. eremita func- tions as a genuine apex predator within cave ecosystems, con- suming virtually all potential prey items present. It also appears to be relatively unselective in its spatial distribution, exploiting the most suitable substrate on which it can anchor its web. Given its broad distribution in the Mediterranean region, these findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the ecological role this spider plays in various subterranean communities.
The spatio-temporal ecology of the spider Kryptonesticus eremita (Nesticidae) in a guano-rich temperate cave
Dainelli, Luisa;Martínez, Alejandro;Serena, Fabrizio;Mammola, Stefano
2026
Abstract
Kryptonesticus eremita (Simon, 1879) is a troglophile spider which is well distributed in subterranean ecosystems around the Mediterranean basin. As a spin-off from a larger study about the macroinvertebrate community of a guano-rich temperate cave (Buca dei Ladri, Italy), we investigated the distribution of K. eremita in association with the intrinsic characteristics of the cave. As a corollary of this main analysis, we also provided observational notes on the prey items consumed by K. eremita. We found that the abundance of the spider is positively associ- ated with a greater complexity of the substrate and a higher tem- perature; and we observed a decrease in the spider abundance on mud substrates compared to rock and soil substrates. The abun- dance of potential prey does not appear to influence the abun- dance of K. eremita, likely due to its very broad diet and the generally high density of prey throughout the cave. When analysing the data by life stage, we found that temperature and substrate complexity affect only the adult stage; in contrast, juvenile individuals show a negative association with both mud and guano substrates. These results suggest that K. eremita func- tions as a genuine apex predator within cave ecosystems, con- suming virtually all potential prey items present. It also appears to be relatively unselective in its spatial distribution, exploiting the most suitable substrate on which it can anchor its web. Given its broad distribution in the Mediterranean region, these findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the ecological role this spider plays in various subterranean communities.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
