CHECKLIST OF SPIDER FAUNA (ARACHNIDA: ARANEAE) IN VELLAYANI-PUNCHAKARI WETLAND ECOSYSTEM
V. G. ASHA *
Department of Zoology, Mahatma Gandhi College, Thiruvananthapuram-695004, India.
PARVATHY H. NAIR
Mahatma Gandhi College, Thiruvananthapuram-695004, India.
M. I. DEEPASREE
Department of Zoology, Iqbal College, Peringammala, Thiruvananthapuram-695563, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Spiders are considered as biological indicators of the ecosystem since they act as predators and food for other organisms in the environment. The present study was carried out at Vellayani –Punchakari wetland agricultural ecosystem. A total of 18 species belonging to eight families were observed during the study. The dominant species observed in the study area belongs to the family Araneidae. Common species viz., Neoscona mukerjei, Hersiliasavignyi, Oxyopesshweta and Thomisus Sp. were found from Vellayani Punchakari ecosystem. The most observed species from Vellayani-Punchakarieco systems was Neoscona Sp. The present study provides valuable information on the current status of spider diversity that flourishes in this particular ecosystem.
Keywords: Diversity, wetlands, indicators, araneidae