Preliminary checklist of spider fauna (Araneae: Arachnida) of Chandranath Hill, Goa, India

Abstract

The present investigation is a very first attempt to generate the checklist of spiders from Chandranath Hill, Paroda, Quepem, Goa. A preliminary study was conducted from June 2018 to March 2020 to document the spider diversity from the region. In all, 125 species of spiders belonging to 102 genera from 19 families were identified. The dominant families were Salticidae followed by Araneidae. Guild structure analysis revealed six feeding guilds, namely, orb weavers, foliage runners, ground runners, stalkers, space-web builders and ambushers. This study has not only highlighted the need for conservation of this ecosystem due to the significant species diversity and endemic species but has also filled the lacuna of spider study in Goa to form the foundation for further investigation. Extensive research on the spiders from Chandranath Hill in the future can certainly expect further new discoveries.