Diversity of spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) and the impact of pruning in Indian sandalwood plantations from Karnataka, India

Abstract

Indian sandalwood Santalum album L. plantations in Karnataka were surveyed to study the diversity and abundance of spider fauna. A total of 1,244 individuals belonging to 56 spider species in 40 genera under 14 families were recorded in the sandalwood plantations. Among the spider families recorded, Araneidae was the most dominant with 15 species in nine genera followed by Salticidae with 13 species in 10 genera, Thomisidae with seven species in four genera, Oxyopidae with four species in three genera, Uloboridae with four species in a genus, and Theridiidae by three species each under three genera. Lycosidae and Sparassidae are represented by two species under two genera each. The families Cheiracanthiidae, Clubionidae, Hersiliidae, Philodromidae, and Pholcidae are represented by a species each. The pruning of sandalwood revealed a significant negative effect on the occurrence and distribution of spiders.

Diversity of Moths (Insecta: Lepidoptera) Supported by Sandalwood (Santalum Album L.) in South India

“…The impact of pruning is masked by the infestation of insects, but in reality, the pruned, energy-starved trees are the rst to get affected by the insect infestations and fungal infections as they have lost the ability to resist (Laca 2013). Padma and Sundararaj (2021) have conducted a detailed study on the role of vegetation in the occurrence of natural enemies, especially spiders. They reported 17 individuals of three species in pruned sandalwood plantations and 45 individuals of 28 species in unpruned plantations, and they concluded that due to the loss of a conducive environment by pruning, the occurrence of natural enemies is negatively affected.…”