First data on spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) from dry dipterocarp forests of Thailand

Abstract

Faunistic records of spiders in dry dipterocarp forests of Thailand are presented. Spiders were surveyed from November 2008 to December 2012. A total of 1,926 spider individuals were collected from 16 locations by visually searching, sweeping grasses and herb vegetation, beating shrubs and trees, and shifting leaf litters. Spiders were identified to 106 species in 86 genera of 29 families. The families Araneidae, Salticidae, Thomisidae, Tetragnathidae, and Theridiidae exhibited higher species richness. Several families that are rare and poorly known in Thailand were recorded, such as Stenochilidae, Eresidae, Idiopidae, Theraphosidae, and Nemesiidae. A faunistic overview of the spiders found in dry dipterocarp forest is presented. In general, the diverse composition of spiders and their guilds and the occurrence of rare and poorly known species in the Thai region confirm the high biotic value of dry dipterocarp forests. Continuing to maintain dry dipterocarp forest functions should be considered in future studies.