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The Spider Diversity of the Genus, Neoscona from Akola Region of Maharashtra

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The Spider Diversity of the Genus, Neoscona from Akola Region of Maharashtra Ecological Communication Biosci. Biotech. Res. Comm. 8(2): 204207 (2015) The spider diversity of the genus, Neoscona from Akola region of Maharashtra Chapke Sonali and IA Raja Research Laboratory of Zoology. Shri Shivaji College, Akola. 444001 India ABSTRACT Indian faunal diversity includes an extremely abundant group of animal, the spiders. They are the most omnipres ent and frequent predators in both agricultural and natural ecosystems. We have surveyed Faunal diversity of genus Neoscona from 2013 through 2014. The spiders were collected from different localities in all talukas of the district of Akola. A total of 76 spider specimens were captured from different plants, of these, 40 specimens were females, 8 males and 28 specimens were immature/sub adults. Thus majority of the adult spiders were females (App 80%) and these were the ones used for identi cation based on epigyneal characteristics. We found the genus, is represented by 12 species. Neoscona nautica, Neoscona bengalensis, Neoscona chrysanthusi, Neoscona mukerjei, Neoscona vigilans, Neoscona rump , Neoscona sinhagadensis, Neoscona theisi, N shillongensis, Neoscona pavida, Neoscona lugubris, and Neoscona odites. The talukas dominated by reserved forest areas like Akot, Telhara, Patur, BarshiTakli are reported to have rich diversity of Neoscona. However the recorded species have already been reported from other parts of the country. KEY WORDS: ARANEAE, NEOSCONA, AKOLA DISTRICT, FAUNAL DIVERSITY, SPECIES RICHNESS INDICATOR. INTRODUCTION these, 2299 spider species belonging to 552 genera and 67 families are reported from South East Asia, ( Wise, Spiders are abundant generalist predators in terrestrial 1993, Siliwal and Molur, 2007, Platnick, 2008 and Kes habitats and are themselves an important food source for wani et al., 2012). other animals’ forms a valuable component of ecosys Major contributions to the Indian spiders study were tem function. Order Araneae or Spiders belong to class, made by Tikader (19801987), he have high lightened Arachnida of phylum Arthropoda, include 3733 genera spider studies to the notice of other researcher. Tikader and 109 families constituting approximately 40, 700 spi (1987) provided the pioneering list of Indian spiders der species, that have been described worldwide,Out of while an updated spider checklist given by Keswani ARTICLE INFORMATION: *Corresponding Author: [email protected] Received 10th November, 2015 Accepted after revision 12 th December, 2015 BBRC Print ISSN: 09746455 Online ISSN: 23214007 NAAS Journal Score : 3.48 © A Society of Science and Nature Publication, 2015. All rights reserved. Online Contents Available at: http//www.bbrc.in/ 204 Chapke Sonali and IA Raja et al., (2012) and shows 1686 species from 438 genera Neoscona, prompted this study. The outcome of the and 60 families. The spiders in the adjoining state of study can be used constructively not only to assess the Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh was studied by Gajbe Neoscona diversity of this area but also will help to carry (1995: 2003). Maharashtra too shows very high species out further studies to conserve the overall spider diver diversity of spiders. Many species were discovered dur sity of this district. Akola is a commercial and industrial ing the study which represents a good percentage of district in Maharashtra. It has large Paras power plant the total spiders species found in the country (Tikader, in Balapur, along with factories in all major towns. It 1962). has alarming pollution status specially dust. Thus it is Hippargi, et al., (2011) have reported 75 families of important to survey the biodiversity with reference to spiders from Sholapur and few Vidarbha districts. spider diversity in this area specially genus Neoscona The genus Neoscona of spiders is similar to Caero- which is the most diverse group among spiders. stris being nocturnal and cryptically colored. It is also referred to as the hairy eld spider and has a globosely (round) abdomen which overhangs the carapace. The legs MATERIAL AND METHODS are equipped with numerous spines. During the day this spider takes refuge amongst leaves and in or under bark. THE STUDY AREA This is the spider responsible for the mysterious orb web found spanning from gutter to balustrade at night only The study area Akola District occupies in the western to be missing next morning. The orb-web is constructed parts of the Amravati Division of Maharashtra State at night, shortly after dark. Once complete the host will and is surrounded by Amravati district in the north position herself head down at the hub (centre) of the web and northeast, Yeotmal in the southeast, Washim in waiting for prey to y into the web. Insects are attracted the south and Buldhana in the west. The world famous to the window light and it is quite remarkable how the Melghat referred as the Satpuda scarp in Vidarbha region spider knew to select such an unnatural but useful site. of Maharashtra State forms a very small part within the At the rst sign of sunrise, or be fooled at the rise of a district. In fact, it is only the extreme southern foothill full moon, the spider will remove its web only leaving the slopes, at an average elevation of about 400 m. that are bridge line and a few supporting threads for construction found within the district forming a linear strip of aver next evening. Neoscona spiders are found resting under age width of 2 to 5 km. the gutter during the day. As the common name implies these spiders occur in the veil among grasses and bushes, Map- Akola district:Maharashtra (India) (Hippargi, et al., 2011 and Keswani et al ., 2012). The district lies between North Altitude 20.17 to 21.16 Though Bhatkar, (2011) reported spider species from and East Altitude76.7 to 77.4 It has a total area of 10,567 Melghat reserve in Telhara taluka, yet there is not any square kilometers. Average Rainfall in District750 to comprehensive of cial records of diversity of genus 1000 mm, Minimum Temperature 5.6 degree Celsius BIOSCIENCE B IOTECHNOLOGY R ESEARCH C OMMUNICATIONS THE SPIDER DIVERSITY OF MAHARASHTRA 205 Chapke Sonali and IA Raja Maximum Temperature 45.9 degree Celsius. Area under All the specimens were labeled with family, scienti c Forestry is 447.96 Sq. km. The two main rivers of the name, stratum on which found, date of collection, local district are the Purna and the Penganga, the other less ity and collector’s name. At the completion of study, all important rivers being the tributaries of these two rivers. the specimens and slides were housed in the Museum, They are the Katepurna, Shahaimr. Morna, Mun, Nand, Department of Zoology. Man and Lima, which are the tributaries of the Purna, and the Adan, the Arna and the Pus which are the tribu taries of the Penganga.The district is divided in to seven RESULTS AND DISCUSSION talukas, as Akola, Akot, Balapur, Murtijapur, Telhara, Patur, BarshiTakli. Akot and Telhara have parts of has In the present study of the genus, survey was carried out melghat tiger serve, B.Takli has Well Known Katepurna from a large area of Akola district. Presence of longi wildlife sanctuary. tudinal thoracic groove in females separates Neoscona During 201314 Spider fauna of the genus Neoscona from the members of Araneus. Median ocular quad was surveyed from different localities of all the talukas of rangle, forming a trapezium, slightly longer than wide. Akola district and sampling was done. Special emphasis anterior median eyes; Anterior median eyes largest or was given to Akot and Telhara which have parts of has sub equal to posterior median eyes, lateral eyes close to melghat tiger reserve, and B.Takli having well known each other and not born on prominent tubercles, poste Katepurna wildlife sanctuary. The spiders were mostly rior lateral eyes smallest, both eye row recurved. Coxa collected by jerking the plants on a cloth sheet; some I of male with a ventral hook in distal rim. Tibia II with specimens were also collected by hand from the webs in strong prolateral spines. Abdomen variable in shape i.e. the morning or other suitable time. The specimens were ovoid, sub ovoid, triangular, or sub triangular. Epigyne transferred into a container having 70% ethyl alcohol, simple and tongue like, scape completely fused to base before being brought to the laboratory. and bears one or two pairs of lateral lobes; epigynal Collected specimens were washed with xylene and opening underneath scape. Pedipalp in male with two each specimen was preserved in a separate vial in 95% long and curved spines on patella, cymbium broad. A ethyl alcohol with little glycerin. Permanent slides of the total of 76 spiders were captured from different plants, genitalia were prepared. Epigyne and male palpi were of these, 40 specimens were females, 8 males and 28 removed by using insect needle. Epigyne were cleared specimens were immature/sub adults. by using KOH pellets for variable time (depending on This study recorded as many as 12 species, of the the degree of sclerotization), dehydrated with ethyl alco genus Neoscona distributed in different talukas of the hol, then placed in clove oil, xylene and nally mounted district. The species we recorded have already been in Canada balsam. Male palpi were washed with xylene reported from other parts of the Maharashtra and and mounted in Canada balsam. Identi cation was done adjoining states ( Table 1 ). Among the seven talukas on the basis of morphometric characters of various body of Akola district, (Akola, Akot, Balapur, Murtijapur, parts and genitalia. The help was mainly taken from the Telhara, Patur, Barshi-Takli) the talukas dominated by relevant literature (Tikader, 1962 : 1987). reserved forest areas reported to have richest diversity Table 1: Occurrence of Neoscona species in different talukas of Akola district during 201314. S/N Species of Neoscona Akola Akot Balapur Telhara Patur Barshi Takli Murtijapur 1 Neoscona nautica.
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