A Study of the Spider (Arachnida: Araneae) Fauna of the Dalan-Kouh Protected Area (Isfahan Province, Iran)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 MSc Student, Department of Plant and Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Plant and Animal Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences and Technology, University of Isfahan, Isfahan, Iran

Abstract

The Dalan-Kouh protected area is one of the most important areas in the west of Isfahan Province, which despite being mountainous, has various habitats. Spiders are one of the most important elements of fauna because of their role in controlling insect populations. In this study, the authors investigated the spider species diversity of the Dalan-Kouh protected area for the first time. The specimens were collected from various habitats including agricultural fields, mountain slopes, meadows, and caves. The specimens were preserved in 70% ethanol and subsequently were studied under the stereomicroscope. While studying important cognitive structures, including mating organs and important body structures and matching with diagnostic keys, the samples were identified. In this study, 43 species of 32 genera from 15 families were studied including Filistatidae (1 sp), Scytodidae (1 sp), Pholcidae (1 sp), Agelenidae (1 sp), Oxyopidae (1 sp), Araneidae (1 sp), Cheiracanthiidae (1 sp), Tetragnathidae (2 spp, 2 genera), Linyphiidae(1 sp), Oecobiidae(2 spp, 2 genera), Titanoecidae (1 sp), Gnaphosidae(7 spp in 5 genera), Salticidae(10 spp, 8 genera), Thomicidae(10 spp, 5 genera) and Philodromidae (2 spp,1 genus). Two families Titanoecidae and Oecobiidae and 9 species were reported for the first time from Isfahan province. The number of the recorded species in this study represents a more hidden and rich diversity of spiders in Dalan-Kouh protected area which needs much further investigation.
Key words: Spider Diversity, New Records, Araneofauna.

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Main Subjects


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