The study aims to understand the species composition and habitat preferences of the spiders of the family Tetragnathidae in rice agroecosystem of Kuttanad. Surveys were carried out for a period of five months from July to November 2020. A total of thirteen tetragnathid species were collected from paddy fields and their nearby areas following organic way (do not use any pesticide) and a total of nine species collected from rice fields with its surroundings which use chemical pesticides. It was observed that the ecological guild structure of these spiders was based on foraging behaviour in relation to the height of the rice plant.
Crotalaria lanceolata E. Mey., a pantropical species collected from Mandya district of Karnataka is reported for the first time from India. Detailed description, notes on distribution and photographs are provided for easy identification.
Investigation on social interaction between the individuals of Stegodyphus sarasinorum of two different colonies and their cooperation in prey capture showed that members of different colony were socially accepted by both adults and juveniles. The study also revealed that this species prey upon rice ear bugs and cercopids which form major pests in paddy fields and banana plantation respectively.
The configuration of valvula cerebelli and torus longitudinalis shows distinct variations at the level where the tractus mesencephalocerebellaris posterior establishes full connection with thegranular valvulain the four species of Amblypharyngodon. The taxonomic value of the configurational variations of mesencephalon of the four species has been discussed.
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