21 Kas 2024 Perşembe
Updated checklist of spider diversity (Arachnida: Araneae) in three union territories of India: Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Puducherry and Lakshadweep Islands
Abstract :An updated checklist of faunal biodiversity of the spiders in three union territories of India (Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands and Puducherry) is presented herewith. The biodiversity of spider is maximum in Andaman & Nicobar Islands (141 species, 93 genera, 28 families) followed by Puducherry (100 species, 76 genera, 26 families), and Lakshadweep Islands (20 species, 19 genera, 510 families). Out of 3 districts of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, the maximum number of species were recorded from Andaman Islands (76 species) followed by Nicobar Islands (83 species). In Lakshadweep Islands, most of the spider species were recorded from a single island, Minicoy. Out of 4 districts of Puducherry, maximum number of species of spiders were recorded from Mahé (48 species) followed by Puducherry (41 species), and Karaikal (29 species). No faunal survey of spiders so far was conducted in Yanam district of Puducherry. However, most of the areas in all three union territories are still virgin where no survey of the spider fauna was conducted and hence, they need intensive and extensive survey plans in those areas by wholehearted workers.
Spiders, Araneae, checklist, faunal distribution, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep Islands, Puducherry, India