Seasonal Variation and Regional Distribution of Spider Families Across Akole, Parner and Sangamner

Abstract

Spiders play a crucial role in terrestrial ecosystems, particularly in regulating pest populations. This study investigates how weather parameters-temperature, relative humidity, and rainfall- affect spider diversity in the agricultural landscapes of western Ahmednagar district, Maharashtra. We found that Araneidae (orb-weaving spiders) are positively correlated with humidity and rainfall, especially during the rainy season, while Lycosidae and Salticidae, as active hunters, show stronger correlations with temperature and sunshine hours, indicating their resilience to changes in humidity and rainfall. These findings align with existing research on spider ecology and highlight the significant role of microclimatic factors in shaping web architecture, species behavior, and spider abundance in agro-ecosystems. Seasonal distribution patterns across the locations of Akole, Parner and Sangamner were found to be strongly influenced by local weather conditions. Akole, with its higher humidity and rainfall, supports a diverse range of spiders, including web-builders like Araneidae and hunting spiders like Lycosidae during the winter. Parner with warmer, drier conditions, favors hunting spiders, such as Lycosidae and Salticidae, while Sangamner shares similar trends but supports some web-builders during the rainy season due to slightly higher moisture levels. Overall, Akole’s humid environment supports greater spider diversity, while Parner and Sangamner favor active hunters, reflecting the strong influence of local climate on spider diversity and ecosystem dynamics. Future studies should further explore the impact of climate change on spider populations and their role in ecosystem services in agro-ecosystems.

KEYWORDS:

Araneae, Agro-ecosystem, Ecology, Humidity, Temperature, Rainfall, Ahmednagar.