21 Ara 2024 Cumartesi
A preliminary checklist of spiders of M.N. College, Visnagar (Gujarat), India
Abstract :Spiders are the most ubiquitous arthropod predators in terrestrial ecosystems. They are believed as biological control of insect pests without damaging the eco-system. However, the diversity of spiders in North Gujarat is very poorly studied. Hence, the present study is the first attempt to investigate the diversity of spiders in M.N. College, Visnagar, Gujarat, India. The spiders were collected by the hand-picking method and placed in 70% ethyl alcohol. The collected spiders were examined under stereomicroscope in the laboratory and identification was carried out with the help of available taxonomic keys. A total of 64 species belonging to 49 genera and 17 families were recorded from July, 2019 to April, 2021. Araneidae is recorded as the most dominant family, with 16 species belonging to 9 genera. Analysis of the guild structure revealed six major groups, viz., Orb-web builders, Foliage hunters, Ground runners, Space-web builders, Stalkers and Ambushers. According to the collection sites, spiders were classified into four major microhabitats: garden, woody patch, building, and abandoned building. The woody patch has found the maximum diversity of spiders. The study highlights a rich diversity of spiders in the study area that needs to be addressed before the development of a structural facility.
Spider diversity, Guild analysis, Arthropods, taxonomy, North Gujarat