UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY

Aims: Spiders play a crucial role as predators in terrestrial ecosystems. This study aims to document the diversity and seasonal abundance of regional arachno-fauna in the Lady Doak College campus, Madurai, from July 2023 to February 2024.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted on the campus of Lady Doak College, located in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India (9°56′12″N, 78°07′47″E), from July 2023 to February 2024.

Methodology: Spider sampling was done by grid-based sampling design, covering monsoon, post-monsoon, and early winter seasons. The study area was divided into six equal-sized grids. Each grid was surveyed biweekly, resulting in a total of 96 field visits. Spiders were visually collected, photographed, and identified based on taxonomic keys.

Results: A total of 55 spider species belonging to 14 families were recorded. Out of 55 species, 47 were commonly encountered, while 8 were considered rare, being observed only once during the entire study. Salticidae and Lycosidae were the most diverse families. The highest species abundance was observed in Pholcidae, with a total of 649 individuals. Shannon-Weiner diversity index ranged from 0.26 (January) to 1.26 (July). Peak diversity occurred during the monsoon (July–October), with the highest abundance in July and the lowest in December.

Conclusion: The presence of both common and rare species reflects the variety of microhabitats and the ecological balance within the study area. As spiders serve as bioindicators in semi-urban ecosystems, their conservation may help mitigate biodiversity loss and support the sustainability of urban ecological systems.