Diversity and seasonal abundance of anthropogenic spiders(Arachnida: Araneae) in different urban zones of the cityof Chilpancingo, Guerrero, Mexico

Abstract

The diversity of anthropogenic spiders in the city of Chilpancingo, Guerrero, Mexico was studied using a systematized collection method in 4sampling zones: urban with a garden, urban without a garden, suburban, and rural. The total species richness was 63 morphospecies, 49 generaand 21 families. The family Theridiidae had the highest diversity (22 species). The total abundance of spiders was 4,120 individuals, with thehighest abundance in the urban zone with a garden (1,163 individuals). The most abundant species were: Physocyclus globosus (1,998 individuals)(Pholcidae), Oecobius navus (1,388) (Oecobidae), Nesticodes rufipes (313) (Theridiidae), Filistatoides sp.1 (83) (Filistatidae), and Dictyna jacalana(52) (Dictynidae). The abundance of spiders found on the first story of the 16 sampled houses was higher than the abundance of spiders foundon the second one. The morphospecies richness was higher for spiders from the first story than those from the second one and higher in the rainyseason than in the dry season. The highest diversity of spiders was found in the urban zone with a garden, both in the rainy and dry seasons. Basedon the Morisita–Horm index, the urban zone with a garden and the suburban zone were the most similar in terms of spider diversity. The speciesaccumulation curves are still a useful tool to evaluate sampling quality and compare inventories of mega-diverse groups, such as spiders.