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Spiders were collected at the massif 'Panský diel' near the city of Banská Bystrica (Central Slovakia). We recorded 252 spider species for the territory and one new species for Slovakia. Although the summit reaches an altitude of 1.100 m a.s.l., more or less thermophilous species apparently prevail here, especially at lower moderate sites. On the other hand, only several typical oreophilous species were documented. Many recorded species are scarce or even very rare. This indicates the very high value of this territory from both a genetic and an environmental perspective.
In the course of a long term survey on the effects of grazing on the diversity of alpine grasslands, the false scorpion Chthonius (Ephippiochthonius) poeninus Mahnert, 1979 was recorded for the first time outside of Switzerland. The preferred habitat at the locality Alpe Einödsberg (Germany, Bavaria) differs strongly from previous findings. Our data suggest an association with Nardus grasslands (Geo montani-Nardetum), whereas earlier records originated from leaf litter, moss and mouldy trunks. Furthermore, the new records between 1540 m and 1973 m above sea level are the first from the subalpine region of the Alps (hitherto C. poeninus was known from 550 m to 1450 m). In the study region, extensive grazing seems to have a positive effect on the abundance of the species, while it is missing from intensively grazed pastures.