Nafeez Manzil

exterior, exterior view, 200

Species Composition and Population Dynamics of Spider Fauna of Trifolium and Brassica Field

Abstract.-The study was conducted at Shorkot, district Jhang, Punjab, Pakistan. For the present study, spiders were collected from Trifolium and Brassica field during November 2009 through April 2010. Pitfall traps were used for the collection of spiders. A total of 545 specimens, representing 12 families, 34 genera, and 66 species, were sampled during the whole study. Lycosidae was the most dominant family and comprised 47% of the total catch, followed by Linyphiidae (27%) and Salticidae (13%). Numerically the most abundant species in the samples was Pardosa sumatrana (Thorell, 1890) (4.5 %) followed by Evippa banarensis Tikader & Malhotra, 1980 (3.6%), Neoscona theisi (Walckenaer, 1841) (2.9 %) and Evippa rubiginosa Simon, 1885 (2.2 %). From November through January, the spider number was low as compared to February through April. The abundance of the spider was significantly higher on margins, as compared to edge and central area in the sampling field. Richness and diversity was highest in the month of April while highest evenness was recorded during the month of November