Diversity, abundance and distribution of spiders along headwater sream of Sungai Peres, Sekayu, Hulu Terengganu

Abstract

Little is known about the diversity and distribution of spider community in headwater ecosystems. Spider species diversity, abundance and its distribution along the headwater stream of Sungai Peres were studied from June to September 2006. Three different sites namely upper stream (US), middle stream (MS) and lower stream (LS) were sampled monthly using three techniques: sweeping, beating and active searching. A total collection of 697 individuals representing I 06 morphospecies from 23 families have been successfully sampled and identified. Pisauridae was the most dominant family (24%) followed by Araneidae (23%) and Salticidae (20%). Polybeae vulpina (family Pisauridae) was the most abundance species recorded in this study. There were significant differences in the family (p = 0.015) and morphospecies (p = 0.022) composition between LS-MS and MS-US. Some families are being widespread and abundant while others were restricted to a single site. All sites have unique morphospecies composition and overall diversity, richness and evenness of spiders were high.