Functional Group of Spiders on Durian Plantations in Tarakan Island: The Influence of Ant Predator Oecophylla smaragdina on Spiders

This study aimed to examine the guild composition of spiders in durian plantations, specifically focusing on the influence of O. smaragdina.For data collection, branch sampling was employed to gather O. smaragdina and spiders from Durian (Durio zibethinus) trees in the plantations, and the density of both predators was determined by counting the number of individuals.The results showed that a total of 3,049 individual belonging to 74 species of spiders were collected from 44 durian trees, and the community exhibited eight distinct functional groups, namely Stalkers, Orb Weavers, Foliage Runners, Ambushers, Tangled Weavers, Ground Runners, and unknowns.Stalkers also emerged as the dominant group within the durian trees, and the average number of O. smaragdina workers in trees did not show a negative correlation with Foliage Runners.However, there was a negative effect of the nest presence and the number of workers on the spider community, particularly impacting the Foliage Runners and Ambusher groups.This study also suggested that O. smaragdina acted as a competitor and predator for certain guilds of spiders in durian plantations, but the influence on the functional groups within mixed cropping systems was found to be relatively weak.