Pak. Entomol. Vol. 32, No.1, 2010
PAKISTAN ENTOMOLOGIST
ISSN 1017-1827
http://www.pakentomol.com
email: pakentoeditor@gmail.com
CHECK- LIST OF SPIDER FAUNA OF SINDH PROVINCE, PAKISTAN
Tahira Jabeen Ursani and Naheed Mahmood Soomro
Department of Zoology, University of Sindh, Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan.
ABSTRACT
The present survey conducted on the spiders of Sindh province, Pakistan during 2006-2009 and early part of
2010 has revealed 132 species belonging to 24 families and 73 genera from 16 districts.
Keywords: Sindh, Spiders, families, genera, species.
INTRODUCTION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Spiders belong to the largest order Araneae of the
Class Arachnida of the Phylum Arthropoda. Over
38,000 species of spiders have been identified.
Owing to their great ability to hide in a variety of
habitats except true aquatic in nature, it is believed
that about 200,000 species exist. All species are
venomous, but only 40 species are known to be
potentially deadly to humans. The spiders are
carnivorous and voracious predators, feeding mainly
on a variety of insects. Platnick (2004) has depicted
world wide status of the taxonomy of the spiders.
Several workers have studied the species from Asia
(Gravely, 1931; Tikader, 1970; Tikader and Biswas,
1981; Tikader, 1982; Brignoli and Merrett, 1983;
Platnick, 1989; Majumder and Tikader, 1991; Biswas
and Biswas 1992; Biswas and Majumder, 1995).
Unfortunately information available about the species
of spiders of Pakistan and their distribution are
fragmentary and scientifically inadequate as a few to
no keys to spiders in Pakistan exist. The literature
shows considerable portion of research work which
has been carried out on spiders from Punjab (Dyal,
1935; Khatoon, 1985; Mushtaq et al., 1995; Butt,
1996; Ghafoor and Beg, 2002; Mukhtar, 2004). The
species of spiders from Pakistan with special
reference to Sindh has not been listed. Keeping this
fact in view, an extensive survey was carried out in
various localities of the Sindh province during the
years 2006-2009 and 2010 in order to know the
spiders’ fauna and its distribution in the region.
Spiders were collected from different areas in 16
Districts of Sindh. The collection was done by hand
picking, pitfall method, beat sheet method, sweep
nets, by aspirator and for night survey strong head
lamp was used to capture the wandering spiders. The
spiders were found on foliage of the host plants
which included crops and orchards, on herbs, shrubs,
low vegetation, along the edges of water pools. They
were also found concealed within a self made, saclike retreat, which consisted of rolled leaves, pair of
leaves glued together, cells on the surface of leaves,
cocoons under bark, in dead leaves or in the cavities
inside the plants. They were found in the corners of
the walls, windows, under the furniture, in wet etc.,
inside the houses. The spiders caught were brought to
the laboratory in vials having 70% alcohol. The
collected material was then preserved in separate
vials containing 70% alcohol + few drops of glycerin
and labeled after identification. The specimens were
thoroughly examined under Stereoscope dissecting
microscope. The identification was made with the
help of keys and description given in books and other
relevant literature. The classification of the collected
material was carried out on the basis of external
morphological
characters
which
included
arrangement of eyes, leg posture and numbers of
tarsal claws. Beside their habitats, behavior also
provided a clue to spider’s identification such as
jumping diurnally active spiders (Salticidae) and orb
weaving nocturnally active (Araneae).
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Pak. Entomol. Vol. 32, No.1, 2010
Khatoon (1985), Mushtaq et al. (1995), Ghafoor and
Beg (2002), Butt and Beg (1996) Butt (1996),
Mushtaq et al. (2003) and Mukhtar (2004). An up to
date list of spiders in the reported region is given for
the guidance of future workers. Zodariidae has been
recorded for the first time from Pakistan.
RESULTS
The present survey revealed 132 species belonging to
24 families and 73 genera from 16 Districts of Sindh.
The majority of the spiders’ species have been
described in earlier studies by workers such as
FAMILY ARANEIDAE Clerck, 1757
i. Genus Araneus Clerck, 1757
1. A.pachganiensis Tikader, 1982
Jamshoro, Mirpurkhas, T. M. Khan
2. A. alboquadratus Dyal, 1935
Jamshoro , Qasimabad, Tandoallahyar
3. A. excelsus Dyal, 1935
Jamshoro, Tandoallahyar
4. A. formosellus Roewer, 1942
Jamshoro, Hyderabad
ii. Genus Araniella Chamberlin & Ivie, 1942
5. A. displicata Hentz, 1847
Jamshoro, Sanghar, Badin
iii. Genus Argiope Audouin, 1826
6. A. kanwali Mukhtar 2004
Jamshoro, Badin
7. A. caesarea Thorell, 1897
Dadu, Mehar, Benazirabad
8. A. Pulchella Thorell, 1881
Jamshoro, Umerkot, Karachi
9. A aatika Mukhtar 2004
Jamshoro, Dadu, Benazirabad
iv. Genus Cyclosa Menge, 1866
10. C. mohini Dyal, 1935
Qasimabad, Jamshoro, Sanghar
11. C. punjabiensis Ghafoor &Beg, 2002
Jamshoro, Sanghar
12. C. chichawatniensis Mukhtar & Mushtaq, 2005
Dadu, Jamshoro, Mehar, Benazirabad
v. Genus Cyrtophora Simon, 1864
13. C.citricola Dyal, 1935
Jamshoro, Hyderabad
14. C. cicatrosa Stoliczka, 1869
Jamshoro, Hyderabad, Thatta
vi. Genus Eriovixia Archer, 1951
15. E. excelsa Dyal, 1935
Jamshoro, Qasimabad, Tandoallahyar
16. E. anastera Chamberlin, 1924
Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Qasimabad, T.M.Khan
vii. Genus Gea C. L. Koch, 1843
17. G.heptagon Hentz, 1850
Jamshoro, Badin, Karachi, Thatta
18. G. margallai Mukhtar, 2004
Jamshoro, Mirpurkhas
19. G. subarmata Thorell, 1890
Jamshoro, Badin, T. M. Khan
viii. Genus Larinia Simon, 1874
20. L .directa Hentz, 1847
Hyderabad, Jamshoro
21. L . phthisia L.Koch,1871
Sanghar, Hyderabad, Jamshoro
ix. Genus Neoscona Simon, 1864
22. N.pavida Dyal, 1935
Thatta, Jamshoro, Hyderabad
23. N. hibiscusatus Mukhtar 2004
Hyderabad, Jamshoro
24. N .bengalensis Tikader & Bal, 1981
Jamshoro
25. N. rumpfi Thorell, 1878
Hyderabad, Jamshoro, Badin
26. N. domiciliorum Tikader, 1982
Jamshoro, T. M. Khan
27. N. nautica L. Koch, 1875
Karachi, Thatta, Jamshoro
FAMILY CLUBIONIDAE Wagner, 1887
x. Genus Cheiracanthium C. L. Koch, 1839
28. C. azhari Mukhtar 2004
Jamshoro , T. M. Khan
29. C. mukhtari Mukhtar 2004
Jamshoro, T. M. Khan
30. C. saccharanalis Mukhtar 2004
T. M. Khan, Jamshoro
31. C. warsai Mukhtar 2004
T. M. Khan, Jamshoro
32. C. denieli Tikader, 1975
T. M. Khan, Jamshoro
33. C. himalayensis Gravely,1931
T. M. Khan, Jamshoro
34. C. pashabhaii Patel & Patel, 1973
T. M. Khan, Jamshoro
xi. Genus Clubiona Latreille, 1804
35. C. ludhianaensis Tikader, 1976
Jamshoro, T. M. Khan
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Pak. Entomol. Vol. 32, No.1, 2010
36. C. drassodess Simon, 1914
Jamshoro, Badin
37. C. filicata
O. P.-Cambridge, 1874
T. M. Khan, Jamshoro, Sanghar
38. C. kasurensis Mukhtar & Mushtaq, 2005
Jamshoro, Sanghar, Mirpurkhas
FAMILY CORINNIDAE Karsch, 1880
xii. Genus Corinna C. L. Koch, 1841
39. C. propera Dyal, 1935
Jamshoro
xiii. Genus Castianeira Keyserling, 1879
40. C. zetes Simon, 1897
Jamshoro, Jacobabad
xiv. Genus Corinna C. L. Koch, 1842
41. C.propera Dyal, 1935
T. M. Khan, Badin, Larkana,
Jacobabad
FAMILY DYSDERIDAE C. L. Koch, 1837
xv. Genus Dysdera Thorell, 1873
42. D. laevigata Simon, 1914
T. M. Khan, Badin, Jamshoro
FAMILY DICTYNIDAE O. P.-Cambridge, 1871
xvi. Genus Dictyna Heimer & Nentwig, 1991
43. D. albida O. P.-Cambridge, 1885
Karachi, Thatta, T.M.Khan
FAMILY ERESIDAE C. L. Koch, 1850
xvii. Genus Stegodyphus Simon, 1873
44. S. pacificus Pocock, 1900
T. M. Khan, Jamshoro
FAMILY FILISTATIDAE Ausserer, 1867
xviii. Genus Filistata Latreille, 1810
45. F.Kukulcania Lehtinen, 1967
Jamshoro, Mirpurkhas, Tharparkar
FAMILY GNAPHOSIDAE Pocock, 1898
xix. Genus Gertschosa Platnick & Shadab, 1981
46. G. eucalyptus Ghafoor & Beg, 2002
T. M. Khan, Jamshoro, Mirpur khas
xx. Genus Zelotes Gistel, 1848
47. Z. faisalabadiensis Ghafoor & Beg, 2002
Mirpur khas, Jamshoro, T. M. Khan
48. Z. illustris Butt & Beg, 2004
T. M. Khan ,Jamshoro
49. Z. pakistaniensis Butt & Beg, 2004
Hyderabad, Jamshoro, T.M.Khan
xxi. Genus Drassodes Westring, 1851
50. D. saccatus Emerton, 1890
Jamshoro
xxii. Genus Gnaphosa Latreille, 1804
51. G. scopoides Chamberlin, 1922
T. M. Khan, Jamshoro
51. G. minosiella Dalmas, 1921
T. M. Khan, Jamshoro
52. G. betpaki Ovtsharenko, Platnick & Song, 1992
T. M. Khan, Mirpur khas
53. G .zelotus Butt & Beg, 2004
Jamshoro, T. M. Khan
xxiii. Genus Zelotes Gistel, 1848
54. Z. pakistaniensis Butt & Beg, 2004
Jamshoro, T. M. Khan
xxiv. Genus Herpyllus Hentz, 1832
55. H. goaensis Tikader, 1982
Jamshoro
56. H. lativulvus Denis, 1958
Jamshoro
57. H. paropanisadensis Denis, 1958
Jamshoro
FAMILY HYPOCHILIDAE Marx, 1888
xxv. Genus Hypochilus Simon, 1889
58. H.bonneti Gertsch, 1964
T. M. Khan, Mirpur khas, Jacobabad, Jamshoro
FAMILY LYCOSIDAE Sundevall, 1833
xxvi. Genus Allocosa Banks, 1900
59. A. manmaka Roewer, 1960
Jamshoro, Mirpur khas
xxvii. Genus Arctosa C. L. Koch, 1847
60. A. mulani Dyal, 1935
T. M. Khan, Mirpurkhas
61. Gladicosa Sp.
T. M. Khan, Mirpurkhas, Jamshoro
xxviii. Genus Hippasa Simon, 1885
62. H. pisaurina Pocock, 1900
Badin, T. M. Khan, Mirpur khas, Jacobabad,
Jamshoro
63. H. aglenoides Simon, 1884
Mirpurkhas, Jamshoro, Sanghar
xxix. Genus Lycosa Latreille, 1804
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Pak. Entomol. Vol. 32, No.1, 2010
64. L. chaperi Simon, 1885
T. M. Khan, Mirpur khas, Jamshoro
65. L. harishi Dyal, 1935
T. M. Khan, Jamshoro
66. L. nigricans Simon, 1886
T. M. Khan, Jamshoro
67. L. basiri Dyal, 1935
Jamshoro
68. L. mackenziei Gravely, 1924
T. M. Khan, Jamshoro
69. L. maculata Mello-Leitão, 1943
T. M. Khan, Jamshoro
70. L. lahorensis Dyal, 1935
Jamshoro, Badin
xxx. Genus Paradosa Koch, 1848
71. P.lahorensis Dyal, 1935
Umerkot, T.M.Khan, Jamshoro
72. P. saxatilis Hentz, 1844
T. M. Khan, Jamshoro, Tandoallahyar
73. P. mulani Dyal, 1935
Hyderabad, Jamshoro
74. P. honga Simon, 1885
Tandoallahyar, Hyderabad, Jamshoro
FAMILY NICODAMIDAE* Simon, 1897
xxxi. Genus Nicodamus Simon, 1897
75. N. dimidiatus Simon, 1897
Jamshoro, Hyderabad, Jamshoro
FAMILY OECOBIIDAE Blackwall, 1862
xxxii. Genus Oecobius Lucas, 1846
76. O. paivani Blackwall, 1868
Thatta, Hyderabad, Jamshoro
xxxiii. Genus Uroctea Dufour, 1820
77. U.matthaii Dyal, 1935
Jamshoro
FAMILY OXYOPIDAE Thorell, 1870b
xxxiv. Genus Oxyopes Latreille, 1804
78. O. campii Mushtaq and A.Qadir, 1999
Jamshoro, Karachi
79. O. hindostanicus Pocock, 1901
Karachi, Hyderabad
80. O. ryvesii Pocock, 1901
Jamshoro
81. O.oryzae Mushtaq and A.Qadir, 1999
Jamshoro
82. O.wroughtoni Pocock, 1901
Jamshoro
xxxv. Genus Peucetia Thorell, 1869
83. P.pabbii Stoliczka, 1869
Karachi, Hyderabad, Jamshoro
FAMILY PHILODROMIDAE Thorell, 1870
xxxvi. Genus Philodromus ,1826
84. P. domesticus Tikader,1962
Badin, Jamshoro, Hyderabad, Thatta, Karachi
FAMILY PHOLCIDAE C. L. Koch, 1850
xxxvii. Genus Artema Walckenaer, 1837
85. A. doriai Thorell, 1881
Dadu, Larkana, T. M. Khan
86. A. atlanta Walckenaer,1837
Dadu, Larkana, T. M. Khan, Jamshoro
xxxviii. Genus Crossopriza Franganillo, 1926
87. C. lyoni Blackwall, 1867
Badin, Jamshoro, Hyderabad, Thatta
xxxix. Genus Holocnemus Simon, 1907
FAMILY SALTICIDAE Blackwall,1841
xxxx. Genus Rhene Thorell, 1869
88. R. decorate Tikader,1977
Jamshoro, Umerkot
89. R. indica Tikader,1973
Umerkot, Jamshoro, T. M. Khan
xxxxi. Genus Plexipus C. L. Koch, 1846
90. P. paykulli Audouin,1826
Badin, Jamshoro, Hyderabad, Thatta
xxxxii. Genus Phidippus C. L. Koch, 1846
91. P. punjabensis Tikader,1973
Badin, Jamshoro, Hyderabad
92. P. indicus Tikader,1973
Umerkot, Jamshoro
xxxxiii. Genus Penionomus Simon, 1903
93. P. dyali Dyal, 1935
Jamshoro
xxxxiv. Genus Metaphidippus F. O. P.-Cambridge, 1901
94. M. fulva Simon, 1868
Jamshoro, Badin, Hyderabad, Thatta, Karachi
xxxxv. Genus Marpissa C. L. Koch, 1846
95. M. insignis Butt & Beg, 2000
Jamshoro, Badin
96. M. mirabilis Butt & Beg, 2000
Jamshoro, Dadu
97. M. tenebrosa Butt & Beg, 2000
Hyderabad, Latifabad, Mirpurkhas
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Pak. Entomol. Vol. 32, No.1, 2010
98. M. rubroclypea Lessert, 1927
99. M. albens Dyal, 1935
xxxxvi. Genus Phlegra Simon,1876
100. P. dhakuriensis Mushtaq, Beg & Waris, 1995
101. P. swanii Mushtaq et al., 1995
xxxxvii. Genus Chalcoscirtus Bertkau, 1880
102. C. splendida Caporiacco, 1939
xxxxviii. Genus Bellota Peckham, 1892
103. B. livida Dyal, 1935
104. B. fascialis Dyal, 1935
xxxxix. Genus Evophrus Koch, 1834
105. E.auricolor Dyal, 1935
L. Genus Sitticus Simon, 1901
106. S.zaisanicus Logunov, 1998
Li. Genus Hentzia Marx, 1883
107. H. peckhami Cockerell, 1893
Lii. Genus Chrysilla Thorell, 1887
108. C.albens Dyal, 1935
Liii. Genus Myrmarachne Macleay,1839
109. M. laetus Thorell,1887
110. M. ramunni Dyal, 1935
111. M. orientales Tikader, 1973
112. M. maratha Tikader, 1973
Liv. Genus Menemerus Simon,1868
113. M.raji Dyal, 1935
Lv. Genus Thiania C. L. Koch, 1846
114. T. aura Dyal, 1935
FAMILY SCYTODIDAE Blackwall, 1864
Lvi Genus Scytodes Latreille, 1804
115. S. propinqua Stoliczka, 1869
FAMILY SPARASSIDAE Bertkau, 1872
Lvii. Genus Eusparassus Simon, 1903
116. E.fuscimanus Denis, 1958
Lviii. Genus Heteropoda Latreille,1804
117. H.kandiana Pocock,1899
Lix. Genus Olios O. P.-Cambridge, 1885
118. O. punjabensis Dyal, 1935
Jacobabad, Jamshoro, Karachi, Qaismabad
Badin, Jacobabad
Jamshoro, Qasimabad, Mirpurkhas
Jamshoro
Jamshoro, Matiari, Dadu
Tandoallahyar, Jamshoro
Qasimabad, Tandoallahyar
Jamshoro
Jamshoro
Hyderabad, Jamshoro
Jamshoro
Mirpurkhas, Jacobabad
Benazirabad
Jamshoro
Jamshoro
Jamshoro
T. M. Khan, Jamshoro
Jamshoro, Matiari, Bhitshah, T. M. Khan
Khairpur, Jamshoro,Thatta
Karachi, Larkana
Karachi, Larkana, Sanghar, Mirpur khas,T. M.
Khan
Mirpurkhas,T. M. Khan
119. O. lutescens Thorell,1894
FAMILY TENGELLIDAE Dahl, 1908
Lx. Genus Socalchemmis Platnick & Ubick, 2001
120. S.kastoni Platnick & Ubick, 2001
Jamshoro, Umerkoat
Lxi. Genus Liocranoides Keyserling, 1881
121. L. flavescens Chamberlin & Ivie, 1941
Mirpurkhas, Jamshoro
FAMILY THERIDIIDAE Sundevall, 1833
Lxii. Genus Anelosimus Simon, 1891
122. A. chiloensis Levi, 1963
Jamshoro, Tandoaalahyar, Badin, Umerkot
Lxiii. Genus Achaearanea O. P.-Cambridge, 1882
123. A. quadripunctata Simon, 1895
Dadu, T. M. Khan, Khaipur Mirus
Lxiv. Genus Theridion Walckenaer, 1805
124. T. niger Urquhart, 1889
Sanghar, Umerkot, Jamshoro
125. T. aura Blackwall, 1864
Dadu, Kotri, Umerkot
Lxv. Genus Thwaitesia O. P.-Cambridge, 1881
126. T.diversa O. P.-Cambridge, 1882
Jacobabad
Lxvi. Genus Trigonobothrys Simon, 1888
127. T. aheneus Dyal,1935
Jacobabad , Jamshoro
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Pak. Entomol. Vol. 32, No.1, 2010
Lxvii. Genus Spintharis Hentz, 1850
128. S. argenteus Dyal, 1935
Jamshoro
FAMILY THOMISIDAE Sundevall, 1833
Lxviii. Genus Misumenoides Sp.
Jamshoro
Lxix . Genus Thomisus Walckenaer,1805
129. T. cherapunjeus Tikader, 1966
Khairpur Mirus, Jamshoro
FAMILY TROCHANTERIIDAE* Karsch, 1879
Lxx. Genus Plator Simon, 1880
130. P. himalayaensis Tikader & Gajbe, 1976
T. M. Khan, Jamshoro
FAMILY ULOBORIDAE Thorell, 1869
Lxxi. Genus Miagrammopes O. P.-Cambridge, 1870
131. M.albocinctus Simon, 1892
Jamshoro, Larkana
Lxxii. Genus Uloborus Latreille, 1806
132. U. danolius Tikader, 1969
Kotri, Jamshoro
FAMILY ZODARIIDAE* Theorell, 1881
Lxxiii. Genus Zodarion Sp. Walckenaer, 1826
Jamshoro, Mirpurkhas
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ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The authors are thankful to Dr. Jonathan A.
Coddington Senior Scientist Dept. Entomology,
Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural
History, Washington DC and Dr. Vladimir
Ovtsharenko, American Museum of Natural History
New York, for their help in confirmation of some of
the species.
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