Government Vidarbha Institute of Science and Humanities, Amravati 444604 (M.S).

Corresponding author Email: ujjwaladeshmukh@rediffmail.com

Article Publishing History

Introduction

Spiders make up a considerable proportion of the biodiversity of this vast and diversified nature. They are cosmopolitan and found in all types of ecosystems and habitat. Spiders are air-breathing predatory animals having two body segments, belonging to class Arachnida with about 45,776 species under 3974 genera distributed over 114 families (WSC,2016). In India, they are represented by 1686 species to 438 genera of 61 families (Keswaniet al., 2012, WSC, 2015; WSC,2016). About 91 species from Mygalomorphae under 28 genera belonging to 8 families have been reported by Keswaniet al.,(2012). Abundance of spider depends on the type of environment, vegetation and prey base. River basin provides the ideal hunting ground for spiders. Spider as an ecological indicator plays an important role in maintaining ecological equilibrium, (Halarnkar  and Pai  2018).

Charghad River is originated in Satpuda mountain ranges near village Velmandali of Amravati district and is tributary of Wardha River. Charghad River flows through Morshi tehsil and merges into Wardha River. Hippargi et.al., recorded an occurrence of spiders belonging to 19, 25 and 31 respective families from Lonar, Melghat and Southern Tropical thorn forest, Solapur. The diversity of spider in Satpuda ranges adjacent to this study area was studied by Deshmukh and Raut (2013) recorded 57 species belonging 35 genera under 14 families during 6-month survey in Salbardi forest (Satpura range).  Again Deshmukh and Raut (2014)  studied the seasonal diversity of Salbardi forest (Satpuda range) and recorded 104 species of 52 genera under 18 families during year 2014. Deshmukh and Chaudhari (2016) recorded 49 spider species belonging to 22 genera under 9 families from orange agroecosystem in the catchment area of upper Wardha dam, Amravati, Maharashtra. The diversity of spiders from Charghad river basin is not yet explored, so the attempt was made to study and make a checklist of spiders from this area. The ecosystem of Charghad river basin depends upon rainfall.The survey was made to study diversity and abundance of spider’s fauna in Charghad River Valley of Morshi Tehsil, Amravati District, and Maharashtra, India. The study has been started in the month of August 2017 and extended to March 2018 along the river basin which is 45km from Amravati district of Maharashtra. The study area is located latitude 21.324196⁰ N and longitude 78.013832⁰ E at an elevation of 303 meters from sea level. Charghad River is originated in Satpuda mountain ranges near village Velmandali of Amravati district passes through Morshi Tehsil and is tributary of Wardha River. Morshi Tehsil heaving climatic condition n temperature 32 to 48⁰ C in summer and 16 to 27⁰ C winters. The rainfall is with southwestern monsoon from June to September having annual an average rainfall of 758.40 mm.

The river basin is flourished with various flora with perennial plants like Ficus bengalensis (wad), Acacia leucophela (hiwar), Bauhinia racemosa (apta), Zyzypheus vulgaris (ber), Acacia catechu (khir), Limoniaacidissima (kaut), Bamboo and dominant grasses like Andropogon martini (tikhari), Sorghum halepense (boru), Cynodondictylon (hariali), Ichamumsulcatum (paonia), Ichamumlaxum (sahada) and Andropogoncontorlus (kusal), Lantana cammera. Ideally all sites of the river basin were studied. The field work was designed in 10 quadrants covering all significant area with natural vegetation along 5 km of river patch. Where sampling sites of 10 sq. meters were selected and marked. Sampling was done from this 10 sq. meter quadrants in river basin every weekend; mostly during from early morning to late night. Visual search  was carried out by walking through the habitat and  visually  searching for spiders, their webs or retreats (curled leaves, silk case). When walking in the grass, due to disturbances ground jumping  of spiders was seen   and by keeping their trail spiders were captured. Heavy insect net sweeps were used through soft vegetation or tall grassin a zigzag pattern in the marked area. After a few sweeps, dump the content on flat sheet and capture the spider. But it is less effective in wet condition. In this case, an inverted umbrella opened place  was used under the bush or lowered branches. The branches were given vigorous shaking or striking them with sticks.

Spiders were dislodged and were collected in the umbrella. This is mostly used and successful technique which was also used in the present study. Any smooth plastic bottle of 10 cm diameter and 11 cm depth was buried within the ground surface with a funnel at top of the container. Spiders tumble into the container and captured in the collection bottle.Only mature spiders were collected for identification they were photographed and release back in natural habitat. The keys of Platnick (1981-1987); Barrion and Litsingerm (1995); Tikader (1987); Gajbe (2005) were used for species identification and to record classification. Statistical analysis was done using Shannon Wiener diversity index (H) and Evenness of species.

S = Species richness

H max = maximum diversity possible.

E= Evenness

During a survey of 8 months in river basin, the individual belongsto 48 species of 31 Genera and 12 families (table no. 1) were recorded. This present study indicates that most abundant species belong to family Salticidae (29.03%) followed by family Araneidae (27.08%)comparatively moderate number of species  from family Tetragnathidae (8.33%), Oxyopidae (6.25%), Thomisidae (6.25%), Pisauridae (6.25%),Lycosidae (4.16%), Miturgidae (4.16%) and lowest species diversity was found in the species belong to family Clubionidae (2.08%), Erasidae (2.08%), Hersilidae (2.08%), Sparassidae (2.08%).

Table 1: Family wise distribution of Spider Species and Genus.

Sr. no	Name of Family	Number of Genus	Number of Species
1	Araneidae	5	13
2	Clubionidae	1	1
3	Erasidae	1	1
4	Hersilidae	1	1
5	Lycosidae	2	2
6	Miturgidae	1	2
7	Oxyopidae	2	3
8	Pisauridae	3	3
9	Salticidae	9	14
10	Sparassidae	1	1
11	Tetragnathidae	2	4
12	Thomisidae	3	3
	Total	31	48

Shannon Wiener diversity index (H) is ‘2’and Evenness of species found to be ‘0.80’. The study suggests Charghad river basin has a  rich diversified spider fauna. The Charghad River is a complex ecosystem for various arthropods. The diversity of speciesis different with respect to habitat, vegetation and prey base along the riverside. The diversity of specieswas found maximum in adjacent grasses and vegetation. Maximum species were recorded in November, December, January, February, it is due to fall in water level that increase the abundance of vegetation in the river bed and which also coincides with the life cycle of most insects including grasshoppers, aphids, millipedes, etc. Most of the spider speciesbelongs to family Salticidae and Oxyopidae were found abundant where grasses like Cynodondictylon(hariali), Ichamumsulcatum (paonia), Ichamumlaxum (sahada) and Andropogoncontorlus (kusal) where dominant, where they can hide below thick foliage and have large prey base like Grasshopper nymph, larvae of various flies, millipedes, etc. Most of the spider species belonging to this family were recorded in winter and especially in November to January end.

The second most abundant family found in this ecosystem is Araneidae (19%) which was most abundant along riverside small trees and shrubs like Zyzypheus vulgaris (bor), Bauhinia racemosa (apta), Bamboo. Some of the orb-web spiders are dominant in thearea where big perennial plants found in large number.Where they are able toprepare websbetween the twigs for catching the small flying arthropods. Larinia species and Neoscona species were mostly observed in the night on shrubs and perennial plant with their orb webs, and found most abundant in the winter season. Spiders belong to family Thomisidae, Miturgidae, Clubonidae were found on flowering trees, shrubs and grasses, were they pray on small insects visit for nectar. Along withthe river stream family Pisauridae and Tetragnathidae have rich diversity were they feed on small insect larva and small fishes. Spiders belonging to Hersilidae were abundant on the trunk of perennial trees.Followed by family Lycosidae, Erasidae, Sparassidae which are distributed over vegetation of the river bank. 48 species were recorded in the present study.Thus Charghad river basin contains rich spider fauna. However, this is not a final conclusion regarding species richness can’t be drawn because the area of the river basin is unexplored.

Table 2: Family wise distribution list of spider species from Charghad River basin  Eco-system.

Sr.no	Family	Species
1	Araneidae	Araneus species(Male) Araneus Praesignis(Female) Araneus diadematus(Female) Argiopaemula(Female) Lariniadirecta(Female) Neoscona bengalensis(Female) Neoscona bengalensis(Male) Neosconacrucifera(Male) Neoscona mukerjei(Male) Neoscona species(Male) Neoscona species (Male) Neoscona species (Male) Poltys (Female)
2	Clubionidae	Clubiona drassodes (Female)
3	Erasidae	Stegodyphus species (Female)
4	Hersilidae	Hersiliasavignyi (Female)
5	Lycosidae	Acantholycosa lignaria (Female) Hippasa holmerae (Female)
6	Miturgidae	Cheiracanthium inclusum (Female) Cheiracanthium insigne (Female)
7	Oxyopidae	Oxyopes bharatae (Male) Oxyopes pankaji (Female) Oxyopes pankaji (Male) Peucetia latikae (Female)
8	Pisauridae	Dolomedes species (Female) Pisaurinamira  (Female) Pisaurinamira (Male) Thalassius marginellus (Female)
9	Salticidae	Euophrys frontalis (Female) Harmochirus brachiatus (Female) Hasarius adansoni (Male) Myrmarachne species (Female) Parahelpis species (Female) Phidippus species (Male) Phintella vittata (Female) Plexippus insulanus (Male) Plexippus paykulli (Male) Plexippus paykullii (Female) Plexippus petersi (Female) Plexippus species (Female) Plexippus species (Male) Plexippus species (Female) Telamonia dimidiate (Female)
10	Sparassidae	Heteropoda species (Female)
11	Tetragnathidae	Leucauge dorsotuberculata (Female) Tetragnathas species (Female) Tetragnathas species (Male) Tetragnathas species (Male) Tetragnathas species (Male)
12	Thomisidae	Misumena species (Male) Oxylate species (Female) Thomisus beautifularis (Female)

Figure 1

Figure 2

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