Systematics and diversity of spiders (Araneae) in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve

Abstract

The present study was carried out in Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve (NDBR), Uttarakhand, India, which is located in the northern part of the Western Himalaya in India, one of the important sites of wilderness and biodiversity in the Himalayan region. This study was selected for its conservation value, representation of biome and little existing information. The present study was conducted from January 2008 to July 2011. The study aimed to investigate the spider community structure along the altitudinal gradient and the influence of habitat covariates like vegetation types, ph, litter depth, humidity and temperature, on spider assemblages in the intricate landscape of the NDBR. The pattern of species diversity was explored using a set of standard methods and ecological indices. This study obtained the first comprehensive representation of the spider fauna in NDBR, which would help in assessing the status of spider diversity in the region keeping in mind its conservational value. This study revealed the relative importance of diverse habitat types on diversity and composition of spider assemblages in NDBR.