Mygalomorphae spider community of the Natural Reserve Sierra del Tigre, Tandilia, Buenos Aires, Argentina

Abstract

We documented the specific richness, abundance and activity of the Mygalomorph spider community in theNatural Reserve Sierra del Tigre, Buenos Aires, Argentina. This hilly ecosystem is home for many endemic species andrich in native fauna and flora. Spider abundance was sampled monthly from May 2011 - May 2012 by hand captureand pitfall traps. The species recorded in the study area were Actinopus sp. 1 (Actinopodidae), Grammostola vachoniSchiapelli y Gerschman, 1960; Plesiopelma longisternale Schiapelli y Gerschman, 1942 and Catumiri argentinense(Mello-Leitão, 1941) (Theraphosidae). Grammostola vachoni was the dominant species in hand capture and Actinopussp. 1 in pitfall traps. The seasonal variation, diversity, and abundance of the mygalomorph community are analyzed anddiscussed here. The Mygalomorphae of the Tandilia system comprises an important group of sedentary and cryptozoicspiders that seem to be dependent on habitat type and environmental factors.