Spiders of Kerala: Theraphosidae

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.