Impact of disturbed areas on Theraphosidae spiders diversity (Araneae) and first population data of <i>Grammostola rosea</i> (Walckenaer) in Panul Park

Abstract

Soil fauna constitutes one of the most abundant and richest environments on earth (Coleman et al. 2004, Fundamentals of solil ecology, 2nd ed. Elsevier Academic Press, London, UK). Different degrees of soil disturbance can affect arthropod diversity, which allows a correlation of biodiversity to quality of habitat. The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of habitat on Theraphosidae spiders, with special focus on <i>Grammostola rosea</i>. Slight differences in the diversity of Theraphosidae between the disturbed area of Cerro Huechuraba and the undisturbed Panul Park were found. However, a high dominance of <i>G. rosea</i> was observed in both study areas. <i>G. rosea</i> density 1,350 ind/ha in Panul Park, and 750 ind/ha in Cerro Huechuraba. UPGMA cluster analysis did not show significant differences between established environments. A standard methodology to develop inventories of Theraphosidae was proposed. The distribution of <i>G. rosea</i> and its natural history were reported.