Mangrove spiders (araneae) of peninsular Malaysia

Abstract

This study examines the diversity and distribution of spiders in the mangrove areas in Peninsular Malaysia which is hoped to contribute towards understanding the dynamics of the mangrove ecosystem. Little research has been done on local spiders and inventory from this habitat is rare. From faunal samples taken along transects from upper to lower zones of Morib mangrove forest and studies on available museum specimens in the Raffles Museum of Biodiversity Research (RMBR), yielded 26 species belonging to 10 family groups. There exist 4 species as new records for Malaysia which are Clubiona meraukensis, Dolomedes mizhoanus, Pardosa zhanjiangensis and Telamonia dimidiata. The jumpers or family Salticidae has an overall wide distribution across all zones sampled. Generally, the spider distribution depended on the zone location and floral diversity. Spider zonation pattern is probably influenced by complex factor combinations rather than one factor which include biotic relationships such as competition and predation. © 2010 Academic Journals Inc.