A Preliminary Study on the Orb-Weaving Spiders (Araneae) of the Khasi Hills of Meghalaya

The Khasi Hills of Meghalaya were investigated to study the orb-weaving spider fauna for a period of one year. A total of 28 species of orb-weavers, belonging to 16 genera and 2 families were reported from the study area during this one-year survey. The dominant family recorded was Araneidae Clerck, 1757 with 19 species, followed by Tetragnathidae Menge, 1866 with 9 species. Among all the species, Argiope pulchella Thorell, 1881 and Leucauge celebesiana (Walckenaer, 1842) were the most encountered ones. The wet season yielded a greater number of spiders than the dry season. This preliminary work highlights a rich diversity of orb-weavers, indicating the high potential for future discoveries from the area. This study also emphasizes the need to conserve these vital ecosystems while expanding the existing knowledge of orb-weaving spiders.