Observations on Ecology and Behavior of Two Species of Theraphosid Spiders from the Western Ghats of Goa, India; with Notes on Their Conservation Concerns

Manoj Ramakant Borkar^1, and Mohini Seth¹

¹School of Arachnology, Biodiversity Research Cell, Department of Zoology, Carmel College for Women, Nuvem-Goa, India

Cite this paper:
Manoj Ramakant Borkar and Mohini Seth. Observations on Ecology and Behavior of Two Species of Theraphosid Spiders from the Western Ghats of Goa, India; with Notes on Their Conservation Concerns. Applied Ecology and Environmental Sciences. 2020; 8(6):544-555. doi: 10.12691/aees-8-6-29

Abstract

This research addresses gaps in information on the occurrence, distribution, ecology and in situ behaviour of Indian Violet (Chilobrachys fimbriatus Pocock, 1899) and Lesser Goa Mustard or Karwar Large Burrowing spider (Thrigmopoeus truculentus Pocock, 1899) in the precincts of Western Ghats in the Indian state of Goa. Populations of these two theraphosid spiders were studied during the monsoon and winter seasons through 2018-19. Besides a comparative data on gross morphology and morphometry; observations were recorded on the habitat and microhabitat characteristics, distribution, density and construct of burrows across two seasons; and in situ behaviour of both the species. An interesting aspect of this study is the comparative fine morphology of spider silk; and assessment of the regional conservation threats of the two species, of which T. truculentus falls under ‘Near Threatened’ IUCN category, while Chilobrachys fimbriatus is considered to be a ‘Least Concern’ species.

Keywords:
theraphosidae ecology behavior fine structure pet trade conservation thrigmopoeus truculentus chilobrachys fimbriatus SEM

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