Seasonal Variation in Spider Population in the Semi Arid Area of North Gujarat

M. B. Patel¹ and M. I. Patel²

¹Department of Biology, Navyug Science College, Surat, India.

²Principal M.N. College, Visnagar (Retd.), India.

ABSTRACT: Ecological study of spiders was done in Mehsana district(230 02’ to 240 09’ North latitudes and 710 26’ to 720 51’ East longitudes). Their collection was done from different habitat of four different sites for two years. Study area comes under semi arid climate. Its vegetation region has been classified as “Indian desert”. Pit-fall trap methods as well as Sweeping method were applied for spider collection. Low species population was available during cold period (December-January) and high in Early Monsoon (June-July). Temperature effects highly and photoperiodism effects moderately on availability of spider species. More number of families also recorded during Monsoon. Hippasa pisaurina, Pocock was a predominant species in this area. Species richness was recorded highest during post Monsoon and Early Monsoon. Available different food source from farmland habitat during crop calendar was marked with its dominant role for diversity of spider fauna. But it was observed that use of insecticides in Ravi crops effect on population of spiders due to common agriculture practice. Public awareness about spiders as a bio controller is required.

KEYWORDS: Habitat; Monsoon; Agriculture; Species Richness; Temperature

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