Inventory of Spider (Arachnida: Araneae) Diversity in CALSANAG Watershed Forest Reserve in Romblon, Philippines

Abstract

A rapid biodiversity assessment of spiders was conducted in the CALSANAG Watershed Forest Reserve (WFR), Romblon from 22nd OCtober to 26th November, 2016. Specimens were collected from forest, shrublands, grasslands, and riverbanks area. A total of 597 individuals were collected representing 24 species from 14 genera under the families Aradeidae, Pisauridae, Sparassidae, Tetragnathidae, Theridiidae, and Theraphosidae. Two are possibly new species and two are new records species for the Philippines. Grassland area shows highest species richness and diversity among the sampling sites. Family Araneidae had the highest species richness and abundance. Results indicate that habitat and vegetation type affect the species richness and abundance of spiders.