A comparison of adhesive performance among six cursorial spider species

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  A comparison of adhesive performance among six cursorial spider species Abstract The ability to adhere to surfaces is particularly relevant for cursorial predatory arthropods like hunting spiders, which often traverse relatively complex environments characterized by large variation in substrate properties. Here, we evaluated the adhesive performance of six hunting spider species that are common in eastern temperate North America and lack specialized tarsi for climbing smooth or inclined surfaces [Lycosidae: Pardosa lapidicina Emerton, 1885 and Rabidosa rabida (Walckenaer, 1837); Oxyopidae: Oxyopes salticus Hentz, 1845; Pisauridae: Pisaurina mira (Walckenaer, 1837); Dolomedidae: Dolomedes triton (Walckenaer, 1837), and Dolomedes scriptus Hentz, 1845]. We tested adhesion performance as shear load resistance (g) on a glass plate, and as the angle of failure (°) when the plate was gradually inclined relative to horizontal. Average angle of failure and shear resistance differed among ...

Exploring the Fascinating World of Spiders: A Survey on Spider Diversity and Distribution at CUTM, Gajapati Odisha

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Exploring the Fascinating World of Spiders: A Survey on Spider Diversity and Distribution at CUTM, Gajapati Odisha

The present investigation aimed to record the diversity and distribution patterns of spiders within and around the MS Swaminathan School of Agriculture, Centurion University of Technology and Management Paralakhemundi, Odisha, India. Most of the spiders are not so highly mobile and an ecologically important group of arthropods, playing crucial roles in various ecosystems as both predators and prey. Most of the spiders, residing inside the agro-ecosystem, have very crucial role in the management of agricultural insect-pests. The survey employed a comprehensive sampling strategy that encompassed various habitats, including forests, agricultural farms, hostels, wetlands, and urban areas. A wide range of data have been collected during the survey, including species richness, abundance, and composition. The collected specimens were carefully identified to the species level, employing the morphological characteristics while the actual photographs with their habitats have been taken for their proper presentation in the article. Preliminary results indicate a remarkable diversity of spider species within the study area. A total number of 24 genera have been identified, residing to 8 families highlighting the importance of various ecological niches and microhabitats. The data suggest that habitat type and structural complexity play significant roles in determining spider diversity and community composition. The findings from this survey provide valuable insights into the spider fauna of the study area and concluded that family Araneidae having maximum population of individuals which is 472 followed by Oxyopidae with 277 and Salticidae with 199 number of encountered individuals. The maximum species richness was surveyed and Araneidae was recorded to be having maximum number of species (7) followed by Sparassidae (5) and Salticidae (5) at CUTM, Gajapati Odisha.


Manish K Yadav. Exploring the Fascinating World of Spiders: A Survey on Spider Diversity and Distribution at CUTM, Gajapati Odisha, 10 July 2024, PREPRINT (Version 1) available at Research Square [https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-4649913/v1]