<scp>SpiderATLAS</scp> : A Database of Spider Traits and Distributions in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

ABSTRACT Aim Biodiversity shortfalls related to limited knowledge about geographic distribution (Wallacean) and species traits (Raunkiæran) are extremely common in many animal groups and perhaps more evident in invertebrate groups such as spiders. This lack of knowledge could present challenges for researchers investigating the response and effects of spiders along large spatial scales, particularly in the Global South. The aim of the SpiderATLAS is to facilitate research that links macroecology, biogeography, trait‐based ecology and global change biology. Location Brazilian Atlantic Forest, spanning virtually the entire eastern coastline of Brazil, encompassing 1,620,000 km 2 , 30 degrees of latitude (3° 42′ S to 33° 31′ S), and 22 degrees of longitude (34° 50′ W to 56° 45′ W). Taxon Spiders (Class Araneae), including 1648 species from 63 families. Methods We compiled the spatial distribution (i.e., occurrence data) and data on morphological characteristics and derived traits for spider species from species descriptions, taxonomic revisions and personal collection. Species occurrences were extracted from several data sources spanning from the 1880s to 2023. Data on the morphological traits of species were compiled from taxonomic and diversity inventory papers published between 1833 and 2024. Results We provide 9369 georeferenced point locations and six morphological traits (body length, prosoma length, prosoma width, prosoma height, femur I length, and patella I length) for 1648 spider species. Most data are available for females and males. The dataset and code are available to download from Dryad, World Spider Trait database, and the ZooTraits app. Main Conclusions The SpiderATLAS can be useful to access information on the distribution and traits of spiders, contributing to the development of macroecological, biogeographical and trait‐based ecology. This dataset can also facilitate the biodiversity conservation of one of the most abundant and important arthropod predators on the planet, in a biodiversity hotspot.

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Publication Details

Journal
Journal of Biogeography
Published
2025-10-25
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1111/jbi.70081
Primary Topic
Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
Type
article
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article

SpiderATLAS : A Database of Spider Traits and Distributions in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Ubirajara Oliveira, Paulo Mateus Martins, ANTONIO DOMINGOS BRESCOVIT, Aníbal Silva Cantalice et al.
Journal of Biogeography
Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
article

SpiderATLAS : A Database of Spider Traits and Distributions in the Brazilian Atlantic Forest

Ubirajara Oliveira, Paulo Mateus Martins, ANTONIO DOMINGOS BRESCOVIT, Aníbal Silva Cantalice, Philip Russo, Ana Raquel Barbosa, Reginaldo A. F. Gusmão, Arthur Ramalho Magalhães, Adalberto J. Santos, Leonardo Sousa Carvalho, D. Quesada Chaves, Gabriel X. Boldorini, Helena Ferreira, A. C. Rodrigues, Thiago Gonçalves‐Souza, Andriel dos Santos Rodrigues, Joyce C. B. Brito
article en

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aim Biodiversity shortfalls related to limited knowledge about geographic distribution (Wallacean) and species traits (Raunkiæran) are extremely common in many animal groups and perhaps more evident in invertebrate groups such as spiders. This lack of knowledge could present challenges for researchers investigating the response and effects of spiders along large spatial scales, particularly in the Global South. The aim of the SpiderATLAS is to facilitate research that links macroecology, biogeography, trait‐based ecology and global change biology. Location Brazilian Atlantic Forest, spanning virtually the entire eastern coastline of Brazil, encompassing 1,620,000 km 2 , 30 degrees of latitude (3° 42′ S to 33° 31′ S), and 22 degrees of longitude (34° 50′ W to 56° 45′ W). Taxon Spiders (Class Araneae), including 1648 species from 63 families. Methods We compiled the spatial distribution (i.e., occurrence data) and data on morphological characteristics and derived traits for spider species from species descriptions, taxonomic revisions and personal collection. Species occurrences were extracted from several data sources spanning from the 1880s to 2023. Data on the morphological traits of species were compiled from taxonomic and diversity inventory papers published between 1833 and 2024. Results We provide 9369 georeferenced point locations and six morphological traits (body length, prosoma length, prosoma width, prosoma height, femur I length, and patella I length) for 1648 spider species. Most data are available for females and males. The dataset and code are available to download from Dryad, World Spider Trait database, and the ZooTraits app. Main Conclusions The SpiderATLAS can be useful to access information on the distribution and traits of spiders, contributing to the development of macroecological, biogeographical and trait‐based ecology. This dataset can also facilitate the biodiversity conservation of one of the most abundant and important arthropod predators on the planet, in a biodiversity hotspot.

Journal of BiogeographyVol. 52(12)
University of Notre Dame (US), Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (BR), Universidade Federal de Pernambuco (BR), University of Michigan (US), Instituto Butantan (BR), Universidade Federal do Piauí (BR), Instituto Federal do Tocantins (BR), Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco (BR)
Openalex Percentile: Top 67%
Spider Taxonomy and Behavior Studies
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