Patterns in the composition of the jumping spider (Arachnida: Araneae: Salticidae) assemblage from the wheatbelt region, Western Australia

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 8 years ago

ABSTRACT – A survey of the salticid spider fauna of the wheatbelt revealed a total of 41 genera and 121 species, of which 17 genera and 106 species are undescribed. Patterns in the species composition of assemblages across the survey area were broadly correlated with environmental gradients, particularly Maximum Temperature in the Warmest Period. High proportions of apparently localised endemic species dominated the geographical patterns in species composition. A rare, widely distributed, compositionally discrete, saline-associated fauna was detected. Taxonomic revisions taking into account fauna collections from surrounding areas are required to understand the relationships between localised endemics and environmental gradients.