A STUDY ON THE DIVERSITY AND ABUNDANCE OF SPIDERS IN ARAKULAM

VILLAGE, IDUKKI DISTRICT

Febi Chacko

B.Ed Student, Natural Science

Mount Carmel College of Teacher Education, Kottayam

ABSTRACT

The present study was on the species diversity and abundance of spiders in Arakulam Village,
Idukki district which is found to be rich in different types of micro habitat.. The studies were carried
out for a period of one month from August to October, 2015; which included summer and Rainy
season. To analyze the diversity of spiders I have taken pictures of them and have analyzed its
diversity with the help of bar diagram. The study revealed that among the 7 families with 23 species
considered under study all were found to be ecologically significant but family Salticidae is
abundantly distributed in this area due to its high adaptive capacity to various environmental
conditions .

INTRODUCTION

Biodiversity is defined as the number of taxa in an area. It is also used as a measure of

variety of taxa in a community, considering the relative abundance of each taxon. Moreover,
biodiversity can be discussed in a smaller or bigger scale than species. Kerala, with its varied
geographic, climatic, and ecological features, exhibits a rich assemblage of various type of
spiders. Spiders form one of the most ubiquitous and diverse groups of organisms existing in
Kerala, their study has always remained largely neglected. They have always been with us, an
ancient source of fear and fascination. They have, however, largely been ignored because of
the human tendency to favour some organisms over others of equal importance because they
lack a universal appeal.

The present study was on the species diversity and abundance of spiders in Arakulam
Village, Idukki district. The study also investigated the environmental condition and factors
that are affecting the spider diversity.

NEED AND SIGNIFICANCE OF THE SYUDY

 Spiders are ecologically significant because it help in control of large number
of insect pest. They are good food for a large number of birds. They are the part of food web.
Even though the species diversity is rich in these limited area now but it may be lack in the
coming years due to the lack of natural habitat and also due to continuous human
interferences.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The objectives that have been formulated under the present study are as follows:

To understand types of spider species present in the Arakulam Village, Idukki district
To identify different types of species of spider.
To Study the taxonomical features of various families.
To understand the environmental conditions and factors those are affecting the spider
diversity.
METHODOLOGY

This project work is a pioneer attempt to study the Species Diversity and Abundance
of spiders in Arakulam Village, Idukki district which is found to be rich in different types of
micro habitat. The different methodology adopted while performing the work are as follows:

STUDY AREA

In the present study I selected different localities in Arakulam Village. Arakulam is a

small village located in the Idukki district of Kerala state, India. Arakulam is 16 km from
Thodupuzhawhich is the gateway to the High ranges which is rich different type of micro
habitat.

MATERIALS USED

The materials used for this diversity study are,

A. Collection bottles

Collection bottles were used to collect spiders and to take its photographs.

B. Spider identifying manual.

Different spider identifying manual were used to write the external features of the

collected spiders.

C.Digital Camera

Photos of spiders were taken using digital camera.

 ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA

During study period a total of 23 species of spider belonging to 7 families were

collected. General description of the families along with list of species collected from each
family is also provided. Photographs of the representatives of the collected spider families are
given in the plates.

The observed family are following;

1. Salticidae
2. Araneidae
3. Tetragnathidae
4. Pholcidae
5. Oxyopidae
6. Thomicidae
7. Sparasside

The 7 different families of spiders were observed during my study are the following:

Family: Salticidae Family: Araneidae Family:Sparassidae

Species: Bavia kairali Species: Argiope appensa Species:Heteropoda venatoria

Family: Thomicidea Family: Oxyopidae

Species: Camaricus formosus Species: Oxyopes Birmanicus

Family:Pholcidae Family: Tetragnathidae

Species:Leucauge pondae Species: Leucauge decorde
 Graph showing the no: of spiders collected

NO. OF SPECIES COLLECTED FROM EACH FAMILY

20
18
16
14
12
10
8
6
4
2
0

FAMILY

The above graph shows the abundance of 23 species of spider belonging to 7 families,
collected during my study period. Among these 7 families considered under study all were
found to be ecologically significant but family Salticidae is abundantly distributed in this
area due to its high adaptive capacity to various environmental conditions .

CONCLUSION

The study entitled Species diversity of spiders in Arakulam Village, in Idukki

District made an investigation on the diversity and abundance of spiders in this area. The
study revealed that this area is quantitatively rich in spider fauna 25 species of spiders
belonging to 7 families.

Among these salticidae was the most abundant family. The members belonging to
family Salticide show great variation in their habitat and size. The morphological peculiarity
of this family is their characteristic arrangement of eye and has the keenest vision among
spiders. Generally they do not spin web to trap their pray.

The next dominant family was Araneidae and they are usually orb web weavers.
Members of this family are highly adapted so that they can survive even in distributed area.
Thomisidae, Tetragnathidae and Sparassidae were the other families with higher represented
by 3 species each. Oxypide, Linyphiidaeand Uloboridae were represented by only 1 species
each.

Spiders are also ecologically significant because it help in control of large number of
insect pest. They are good food for a large number of birds. They are the part of food web.
Even though the species diversity is rich in these limited area now but it may be lack in the
coming years due to the lack of natural habitat and also due to continuous human
interferences. So from this study it can be concluded that protective measures are needed to
keep the diversity as such.

REFERENCES:

Barrion, A& J.A. (1991): Ecology of spiders in selected non rice habitats and irrigated

rice field in Philippines .Ph. D. Thesis. University of the Philippines at Loss Banoss.
Blackwell (1850): Description of some newly discovered species and character of a

new genus of Araneida.Ann.Mag.Hist.6:336:344.

Crocker. (1979): The Sherwood Forest Arachnid survey. Newsl.Br.Arachnol.Soc.25;

4-7.cotten in Anand (Gujarat).J. Biol.Control, 5:48-49.