Diversity of Spiders (Arthropoda, Araneae, Arachnida) in Dir Lower KP Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan

Abstract

Analysis included a representative of several families including Thomisidae, Araneidae, Gnaphosidae, Pholicidae, Salticidae, Clubionidae, Scytodidae, and Sparassidae. Population of Thomisidae spiders, which included Diaea evanida and Thomisus pugilis, comprised 7.4% of the specimens and were recorded in environments with floral structures exhibiting higher temperatures (25-30 °C), high humidity (60-75%), and higher light intensity. These spiders are important for insect population management surrounding flowering plants according to Schausberger and Raser (2013). Population of Araneidae spiders included Araneus diadematus and Neoscona theis, comprised 12.2% and known to construct webs in gardens. The environmental conditions came from moderate temperatures (20-25 °C), moderate humidity (50-60%) and moderate light conditions of araneidae over longer periods involved significant pest regulation as noted by Eubanks et al. (2016). A combined population of Gnaphosidae, and Pholicidae spiders comprised up to 3 species; Gnaphosa eucalyptus; and Artema atlanta, represented 9.8% of the specimens. These spiders are flexible in habitat selection from dry woods to urban structures, showing adaptations to cooler temperatures (20-25 °C), lower humidity (40-55%) with various light conditions as evidence by Platnick (2014). Population of Salticidae included Marpissa tigrina; and Plexippus paykullii; represented 4.9% of specimens collected favoring higher temperatures (25-30 °C)500), adaptable humidity 700; stress healthy light intensity higher than low levels. Foelix (2011) suggests these spiders play significant roles in regulating small insects.Overall, spiders from the Clubionidae, Scytodidae, and Sparassidae families, formed 3.7% of specimens, exhibited varied behaviours and preferences and adaptations to moderate temperatures (20-25C), and shaded areas, and with the exception of Araneidae, most had varied behaviours as described by the World Spider Catalog (2023). The research highlights considerable differences in the ecological preferences of the spiders that influenced spider distribution, where for example, Araneus diadematus and Arctosa littoralis preferred lower temperatures (20-25C), while Diaea evanida and Thomisus pugilis preferred elevated temperatures (25-30°C). Preferential habitat distribution was also affected by the environmental factors of humidity and light intensity, where included Diaea evanida noted high humidity and Gnaphosa eucalyptus noted lower humidity preferences. This research illustrates the ecological role of spiders reflecting their varied predatory behaviours and environmental adaptations to prey species they prefer. Crab spiders and garden spiders play a role in pest control in those environments; and, the ecological flexibility of Gnaphosidae and Pholicidae, as well as the active predation role of Salticidae are great indicators of how spiders kept the ecological role and balance in habitats clean. We recommend consider expansion on spider conservation, more action on relevant research, promotion of awareness/education of spiders, combined with pest management strategies that incorporate spiders, and actions to consider more event on climate change, to protect spider diversity and ecological services.