Diversity of Spider Fauna in Univesity Campus Area, Kirtipur, Nepal

Abstract

The study of the spider was carried out in University area, Kirtipur during February 2016 to July 2016. Different habitat types including forest, grassland, cultivated and horticulture were selected for sampling. Spider collection was made using pitfall trap and active search method. The objectives of the present study were, to identify the specimens collected from different sampling sites, to determine the diversity and abundance of spiders in different habitats. A total of 642 individuals were recorded under six families, 17 genera and 14 species. Four new species Nephlia clavata L. Koch (1878), N. maculate Fabricues, (1793), Cyclosa bifida Doleschall, (1859), Gasterocantha mammosa L. Koch (1844) were recorded inside University area Kirtipur. The abundance of ground spider in grassland habitat was found highest (28.7%) and least in cultivated habitat (21.2%). Genus Pardosa occupied the largest percentage of total collected specimens (33.8%). The diversity index was recorded highest (H’= 1.557) in forest and least in cultivated land (H’= 1.289).