Abstract

QUIJANO-CUERVO, Luis; MARTINEZ-HERNANDEZ, Neis  and  SABOGAL-GONZALEZ, Alexander. Variación temporal de la abundancia y algunos aspectos poblacionales de Micrathena (Araneae: Araneidae) en un Bosque Seco Tropical (BST) del Caribe colombiano. Ecol. austral [online]. 2017, vol.27, n.2, pp.199-209. ISSN 1667-782X.

The temporal variation in abundance and some population aspects of sympatric spider species of genus Micrathena in a dry tropical forest fragment in northern Colombia between November 2012 and August 2013 were analyzed. A linear transects of 500 m length and 20 m wide were delimitated, where 10 points were installed spaced 50 m. In each point, spiders were captured using manual capture and foliage agitation. 177 individuals were captured, distributed into four species, where M. schreibersi was the most abundant with 141 individuals and M. horrida the least common. A pattern of temporal variation was observed in three of the four species studied; characterized by decline of adult individuals during the dry season and increase during the rainy months. Additionally, a marked difference in sex ratios of each species, as well as the size between species, were found; the latter may in part suggest a pattern of niche segregation as a mechanism to avoid competition. Given the complex relationship of the Micrathena species with the environmental factors evaluated, their easy identification, visualization and capture in the field, these spiders become potential bioindicators of the state of conservation of DTF, so its use is recommended in future studies of environmental impact.

Keywords : Spiders; Neotropic; Precipitation; Sympatry.