A.Y. Mundhe, K.D. Raut, A.S. Samudra, A.J. Shinde, V. Amate and P.K. Misal
Abstract
Spiders are the key components of an ecosystem. The objective of the present study was to update the list of spiders in the studied area. Spiders of Annasaheb Magar Mahavidyalaya Campus, Hadapsar, Maharashtra, India and the nearby area was observed and documented. The study area is divided into two parts like human constructions and arboreal. Active searching and handpicking methods were used for spider record preparation. They were photographed without disturbing their natural habitat and used for identification. In all total 29 spider species representing 21 genera and 10 families were recorded. Aranaidae and Saltidae are the most dominant families each representing 24% of species. Among various guild, orb web spiders (38%) dominate the AMM campus and its nearby area. The high species diversity of spiders in college campus can be attributed to the high diversity of plants and insects.