Mygalomorph diversity, distribution and habitat-use in the Western Ghats of Uttara Kannada, Karnataka - a study on Protected Area adequacy and conservation planning at a landscape level Dr. Manju Siliwal Wildlife Information Liaison Development Society , Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu (Email: [email protected]) PROTECTED AREA ADEQUACY INTRODUCTION IMPACTS TO DATE Mygalomorphs are a primitive group of spiders with15 families known from around the • Fairly good population of large-sized tarantulas were found world, and 8 of which are reported from India . The most diverse family of mygalomorphs is Discovery of 1 new genus , 9 new species , 1 range in protected areas (except for P. striata ) and nearby Reserve the Theraphosidae, popularly known as ‘Tarantulas’. Despite being charismatic, long-lived extension record, 2 new records of mygalomorph genera for forests and teak plantations. They are habitat specific and and large-bodied, theraphosid spiders in general have been poorly studied in India, mainly India therefore, they are more susceptible to the change in habitat due to their nocturnal and burrowing habits. So far, only 25 species (of the total 31 WG and Two of the 9 new species discovered are likely to be in PA. 80 Indian mygalomorphs) have been described from Western Ghats. Studies in the past Gondwana relicts • P. striata occurred more in plantations than PA, it could be were restricted to taxonomy and few distribution records. Ecology and conservation status of An ecological study on tarantulas and trapdoor spider (Idiops because there is visibility and more place to hide during the daytime in PA than plantations like teak. these spiders is unknown. Further, large-bodied tarantulas are collected illegally for pet trade sp., Idiopidae) was carried out for the first time during the • Agriculture and Human habitation were least preferred (11 species have been reported). Recently, 14 species of tarantulas have been listed under project IUCN Red List and therefore, the present project was taken up to collect information on habitats by mygalomorphs (except for Plesiophrictus Created awareness about spiders amongst locals and forest diversity, distribution, habitat use by theraphosid spiders (including globally threatened sp., which occurred more in human habitation that was department (Red Listed Tarantula poster distributed to all species Chilobrachys fimbriatus , Thrigmopoeus insignis and T. truculentus ) in Uttara surrounded by forest) but mygalomorphs had consistently the forest department offices in Western Ghats, CEPF Kannada, Karnataka, and thereby, understand the protected area adequacy, which can help occurred in PA and reserve forest. grantees, Paper mill in Dandeli, and Environment & Forest in conservation planning. Ministry office) 100 PA RF PP AF HH 80 OBJECTIVES Thrigmopoeus insignis (IUCN Red List status: Vulnerable) • To understand patterns of species diversity, distribution and habitat use of theraphosid ASSOCIATION WITH OTHER CEPF PROJECTS: 60 spiders across broad land use categories in Western Ghats of Uttara Kannada CONSERVATION PRIORITY AREA district, Karnataka - Protected areas, Reserve forest, Plantations, agriculture fields and occurrence % 40 settlement areas Dandeli Hornbill Conservation Reserve (Proposed) Localities surveyed: Dandeli city, Kulgi, Janta Colony, Potoli 20 • To identify potential Conservation priority areas in Uttara Kannada district for , Ambikanagar Theraphosids. Dandeli 0 (Sahyadri-Konkan corridor) Mygalomorph spiders C. fimbriatus T. insignis T. truculentus P. striata Theraphosid sp.1 • To sensitize local people for conservation of tarantula spider Poecilotheria striata Pocock, 1899 (Vulnerable) Large–sized tarantulas Thrigmopoeus insignis Pocock, 1899* (Vulnerable) Thrigmopoeus truculentus Pocock, 1899 (Near Threatened) Chilobrachys fimbriatus Pocock, 1899 (Least Concern) 100 PA RF PP AF HH Poecilotheria striata (IUCN Red List status: Karwar Vulnerable) Theraphosidae sp. 1 (new species and new record) (Malnad - Kodagu Corridor) 80 Theraphosidae sp. 2 (new species) Barychelidae sp. (new species, new record) 60 STUDY AREA Indothele sp. (new species) Idiops sp. (new species) occurrence % 40 The study was carried out in Dandeli and Karwar Bedthi Hornbill Conservation Reserve (Proposed) 20 that are located in the Sahyadri-Konkan and Malnad-Kodugu corridors. And five different broad Localities surveyed: Magod 0 Plesiophrictus Plesiophrictus Theraphosid sp. Barychelid sp. Idiops sp.1 Idiops sp.2 Indothele sp. land use categories selected under each area sp.1 sp. 2 2 were Protected areas, Reserve Mygalomorph spiders Small - sized tarantulas and mygalomorphs forest, Plantations, agriculture fields and Thrigmopoeus truculentus Pocock, 1899 (Near Threatened) settlement areas. Two protected areas surveyed Chilobrachys fimbriatus Pocock, 1899 (LC) were Dandeli WLS and Anshi NP. Indothele sp. (new species) © B. Hegde Idiops sp. (new species) Plesiophrictus sp. (new species) FUTURE PLANS CONTRIBUTIONS TOWARDS CEPF INVESTMENT STRATEGY Aghanashini Conservation Reserve (Proposed) • Carry out molecular analysis from the samples collected. Localities surveyed: Nilkund, Bheemanagudda and Unchalli Species confirmation 2.1 Monitor and assess the conservation status of globally threatened species with an falls Gondwana hypothesis emphasis on lesser-known organisms such as reptiles and fish. • Continue monitoring of populations of theraphosids in • Two globally threatened species (Poecilotheria striata and Thrigmopoeus insignis) Mygalomorph spiders Dandeli and nearby areas were assessed for their population and threat status in the region during the Thrigmopoeus truculentus Pocock, 1899 (NT) • Similar level studies are planned to be taken up in other study, and qualify for down-listing from Vulnerable to Near Threatened Chilobrachys fimbriatus Pocock, 1899 (Lc) priority areas in the Western Ghats • Identified three sites (Kulgi, Potoli and Anshi) having high abundance of Taruntulas Idiops sp. (new species) • Population and threat status assessments for globally during the study, which areas are recommended for future monitoring of the spider Plesiophrictus sp. (new species) threatened tarantula species (which were not covered populations during the present study) will be carried out based on 2.3 Evaluate the existing protected area network for adequate globally threatened surveys in Western Ghats. These assessments will be species representation and assess effectiveness of protected area types in sent to IUCN Red List and also published in peer - biodiversity conservation. reviewed journals (public domain) • Large populations of globally threatened tarantulas were found in Protected Areas in ACNOWLEDGEMENT: Thank the Karnataka State Forest Department for giving permissions to carry out the study. Financial support for the study was provided • Monitor populations of globally threatened species of the region and therefore, appears adequate for the conservation of these spiders by CEPF (Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund) - ATREE (Ashoka Trust For tarantula in selected areas identified during the present Idiops sp. Barychelid trap door spider 2.4 Support interdisciplinary efforts to analyze and disseminate biodiversity data Research In Ecology And The Environment) Western Ghats Small Grants study Program. Also, thank my field assistants and local people for their assistance and • Added 11 species of mygalomorph spiders to the faunal list of the conservation help during fieldwork. • Develop strategies for participation of local people and priority areas (Dandeli CPA, Bedthi CPA, Aghanashini CPA) forest department in the conservation of globally • A checklist of spiders (about 175 spp.) of Dandeli and Anshi Tiger Reserve (published threatened species of tarantulas in peer-reviewed journal and also be provided to Karnataka Forest Department).