Spiders of Kerala

Theraphosidae


Indianmygalomorphs

Eresidae

Clubionidae

Theridiidae

Aranediae

Orb Web Spiders of India 

Salticidae

Psechridae

Thomisidae

Linyphiidae

Lycosidae

Oxyopidae

Pisauriade

Tetragnathidae


http://indiantetragnathidae.blogspot.in/

Uloboridae

sparrassidae

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Welcome to the amazing world of spiders

Spiders are ancient animals with a history going back many millions of years. They have always been with us, an ancient source of fear and fascination. They are abundant and widespread and are natural controllers of insect populations. Wherever you live, you're always close to a spider.

Types of spiders

About 40 families of spiders are recorded from Kerala. These belong to two major sub order called Araneomorph spider and Mygalomorph spiders. the first suborder included most of the commonly found spiders in and around our houses, while second sub order comprises of compartively larger spiders, which live in the forest, they are sometimes called tarantulas. The populary know tiger spiders belong to this sub order.

Spiders families in Kerala

Kerala, with its varied geographic, climatic, and ecological features, exhibits a rich assemblage of various types of spiders. However, no studies on their diversity have ever been undertaken here, with the result that many of them still remain unnamed and unrecorded. Further, deforestation and environmental pollution have led many species to the verge of extinction.

Out of the 59 families recorded in Indian region, 38 families are discovered from Kerala. This represents 73% of the total families families recorded in India. Tetragnathidae, Sparassidae, Lycosidae, Thomisidae, Linyphiidae, Theraphosidae, Oxyopidae and Uloboridae exhibit maximum species diversity.

Diversity of families proves to be important because they bear close association with the diversity of habitats. Some rare families like Prodidomidae, Mimetidae, Stenochilidae, Cryptothelidae, and Oonopidae are recorded from Kerala.

Families consisting of hunting and wandering spiders like Salticidae, Lycosidae, Pisauridae, Oxyopidae, Sparassidae, Clubionidae, Miturgidae, Liocranidae, Corinnidae Thomisidae, Philodromidae, Hersiliidae, Ctenidae, Zodariidae and Gnaphosidae represent 52% of the spiders found. Web building families like Araneidae and Tetragnathidae contribute 21 % of total spider fauna.

Illustrated Catalogue

Spiders of Kerala

Arachnologist

My photo
Sunil Jose , Ph.D
During the last twelve years I was engaged in the conducting studies on the taxonomy and ecology of spiders of Kerala. 417 species of spiders belonging to 161 genera in 38 families were so far identified by me from Kerala state. These include 34 new species, 35 redescriptions and 43 new records from the country. 19 papers were published so far about the spider diversity of Kerala in journals of international repute.
View my complete profile

Spiders of India

http://indian-spiders.blogspot.in/

Contact

sunjos2007@gmail.com

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