Spiders from the high altitude zone of Central Stara planina mountain (Bulgaria). (Araneae)

103 species (1 Segestriidae, 1 Eresidae, 7 Theridiidae, 41 Linyphiidae, 1 Tetragnathidae, 3 Araneidae, 14 Lycosidae, 1 Agelenidae, 1 Hahniidae, 6 Clubionidae, 1 Zodariidae, 10 Gnaphosidae, 1 Heteropodidae, 4 Philodromidae, 4 Thomisidae, 7 Salticidae) have been established from 24 sites (1700 - 2376 m) in the high altitude zone of Central Stara planina. The species composition of the high mountain spider community was not well known and this is the first contribution to the problem. Concerning the altitudinal distribution, there are only 8 species occurring mainly in the high altitude zone, though a good number of species is present in the forest belt also and even some in lowlands. Characteristic for the highest sites are Diplocephalus foraminifer, Erigone pirini, Mecynargus paetulus, Lepthyphantes improbulus, Pardosa drenskii, Cryphoecapirini, Clubiona alpicola, Gnaphosa leporina. Species which are not found below the tree-line form the high mountain species complex, which is composed by euro-montane (3, 2.9%), endemic (3, 2.9%), holarctic (arctic-alpine) (1), and Palearctic (1) elements. The character of the high-altitude spider fauna of Central Stara planina mountain is Palearctic and mainly European.