Diversity Of Spiders From Satpuda Mountain, India

Diversity, Ecology and systematics of Spiders from Satpuda mountain area was studied during 2015-2016. Study area comprises 20 different collection spots in about 100 sq. km zone of Satpuda Mountains in North Maharashtra, India. A total of 98 individuals belonging to 11 different species were observed and studied from 10 localities. Six families represent 11 species. A maximum of 05 species represented from Araneidae family, 02 from Salticidae and only 01 from Sparassidae, Lycosidae, Scytodidae and Pholicdae family. Changes in species composition and abundance are related to natural forest site variations of low population area (NFS) and in residential area having moderately high population area in satpuda mountains (RFS). They prefer dense vegetation and alkaline soil condition. The Shannon’s diversity index shows maximum diversity index with 11 numbers of species is 2.267 in Forest area (NFS) and 2.020 in Residential area (RFS) whereas the Simpsons diversity index shows maximum diversity index with 11 numbers of species is 0.104 in NFS and 0.086 in RFS. The eveness values calculated statistically are 0.93 in RFS and 0.90 in NFS. Need for biodiversity conservation is emphasized.