Habitat-Based Comparison of Spider Populations: Residential vs Mangrove Ecosystems on Kumbalanghi Island, India

This study presents a preliminary checklist of spider species inhabiting Kumbalanghi Island, Kerala, India, and examines their diversity across residential and mangrove habitats over the course of a year from 2020 to 2021. A total of 80 spider species, distributed among 16 families and 52 genera, were documented. The dominant families were Araneidae and Salticidae, each comprising 15 species. Residential areas exhibited the highest species diversity, with 58 species spanning 45 genera and 15 families, while mangrove habitats harboured 41 species across 27 genera and 13 families. Spiders were categorized into six functional groups: orb weavers, foliage runners, ground runners, ambushers, space web builders and stalkers. For quantifying and comparing species diversity across both habitats, rarefaction and extrapolation (R/E) sampling curves were used and the frequencies of guilds were compared using Chi2 test. The tranquil environment of the island, coupled with diverse niches such as mangroves, rice fields, and various plant communities, supports a relatively rich spider fauna. However, these habitats face significant threats from anthropogenic degradation. Thus, this study not only documents the spider diversity but also highlights the imminent challenges to island biodiversity and suggests potential conservation strategies for future protection efforts.