Canopy and subcanopy spider diversity (Arachnida; Araneae) during the dry season in Pakitza, Manu River, Madre de Dios, Peru

Trelles M.L.; Dávila D.S.; Cruz G.A. · Revista Peruana de Biologia (2024) · DOI: 10.15381/rpb.v31i4.29446

Resumen

The upper strata of tropical forests have a great diversity of organisms; however, knowledge about spiders in these strata is limited. This study assessed the araneofauna in four microhabitats in Pakitza, Manu River: canopy in a dissected forest, bamboo subcanopy (Guadua sp.) in a dissected forest, bamboo subcanopy in a terrace forest and subcanopy of palms; using the fogging technique between September and October 1991. A total of 3334 adult individuals, 597 species and 34 families were recorded. The most abundant and diverse families were Theridiidae (29.99%, 119 species) and Salticidae (17.19%, 142); the most abundant species: Chibchea sp.1 (Pholcidae, 4.08%), Trechaleidae sp.1 (3.21%) and Janula erythrophthalma (Theridiidae, 3.15%). Species new to science have also been recorded in the genera Parachemmis (Corinnidae); Wirada and Cerocida (Theridiidae); Ulocymus (Thomisidae); Pippuhuana, Tafana and four species of undescribed Anyphaenidae genera. The four microhabitats showed differences in species composition. Estimated diversity (q = 0), at 81% sample coverage, was similar in three of the microhabitats and significantly lower in the bamboo subcanopy in dissected forest. When considering the relative abundance of species (q = 1) and the abundance of dominant species (q = 2), the canopy in dissected forest was significantly more diverse and the bamboo subcanopy in dissected forest the least diverse. Our results demonstrate the importance of microhabitat architecture, as well as surrounding vegetation, on spider diversity and composition.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos; Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina