Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

Vol 26, Issue 4, 2020; Page No.(1779-1786)

SPIDER DIVERSITY AND DISTRIBUTION IN DOON VALLEY, UTTARAKHAND AND TRACKING CLIMATE CHANGE THROUGH SPIDER AS BIO-INDICATOR IN GARHWAL HIMALAYA

Madhu Thapliyal Smriti1, Bipin K. Sati and Ashish Thapliyal

Abstract

The Himalayan range is home to great number of flora and fauna in northern India. In this study, we have summarized the known diversity of spiders in Uttarakhand. Further, spider’s diversity in Doon Valley is being studied on the basis of altitudinal variation and correlated with the changes in the climate. The altitudinal gradient of Garhwal Himalayan region encompasses various habitats and eco-zones. Bio-indicator species inhabiting these zones are very sensitive to climatic changes and it is well accepted that these species are among the first individuals that are affected by even the slight changes in climatic patterns. Along with this, the study also focuses on the conservation of spider bio-diversity. Keeping in mind the importance of spider in the ecosystem a database of DNA bar-coding for spiders of Uttarakhand is also being developed to identify cryptic species. The molecular data will also provide information about evolutionary history and phylogenetic relationships of spiders. The present study would be among first attempts to barcode the spider species of Uttarakhand and study their population diversity and develop data on selective spider species being used as bio-indicators.