ARAGES

The Arachnologische Gesellschaft (AraGes) is a scientific society dedicated to expanding knowledge of arachnids in Central Europe and supporting research in arachnology. It connects interested members of the public, government agencies and academic researchers, encouraging communication and collaboration across these communities. The society organizes conferences and meetings, supports regional working groups, and presents the Konrad Thaler Memorial Prize every three years to recognize outstanding student research in arachnology, excluding mites.

AraGes publishes Arachnologische Mitteilungen, also known as Arachnology Letters, a journal featuring work on the distribution, ecology and taxonomy of Palaearctic arachnids other than mites. Its website provides practical and educational resources, including species identification checklists, a discussion forum and wiki, and the Atlas of European Arachnids, which offers regularly updated records and distribution maps. Visitors can also explore information about arachnid biology, ecology, taxonomy and conservation, as well as research projects and collections. The society’s European Spider of the Year initiative highlights a selected species annually, helping make arachnological knowledge accessible to a wider audience.