Biogeographical patterns of zodariid spiders (Araneae: Zodariidae) in the wheatbelt region, Western Australia

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 8 years ago

ABSTRACT – 117 zodariid species were recorded from the Wheatbelt region of Western Australia after 12 months of continuous pit trapping at 306 quadrats (12 landform types at each of 24 survey areas), with an average richness of 3.98 per quadrat. Analysis of the data at the landscape scale showed no significant relationships between species composition and substrate at each quadrat, other than a weak north-south changeover in composition. Strongly localised patterns of composition at the species level were overt, with a high proportion of short-range endemic species. However a regional-scale analysis (of species compositional patterns by survey area) showed a distinct relationship with precipitation in the driest period. Also, species richness for each survey area and each landform type revealed a correlation between low richness and both high rainfall and low drainage. Greater knowledge of zodariid ecology is required to determine the possible influence of microhabitats on species composition.