An Investigation on Spider Fauna of Cereal Fields in Antalya (Araneae)

Abstract

In the spring and summer months of 2005-2006, spider samples were collected from different localities in Antalya for determining spider fauna of cereal fields. Spiders were collected by means of hand aspirator, sweeping net and Japanese umbrella. A total of 629 specimens were obtained from wheat, oats and maize fields, and 41 species belong to 34 genera in 16 families. Field preferences of the species were determined in the agricultural ecosystem. Tibellus oblongus (Walckenaer, 1802) (Philodromidae),Tenuiphantes tenuis Latreille, 1806 (Linyphiidae), Pardosa proxima (C.L.Koch, 1847) (Lycosidae) and Tetragnatha montana Simon, 1874 (Tetragnathidae) were the most abundant species among the spiders. Monaeses israeliensis Levy, 1973 and Tmarus piochardi (Simon, 1866) are new records for the Turkish spider fauna.