Exploring spider fauna in Mitha khel, Tarkhakoi, sangathri, Sarekhawa, Shawal ada and Niazi chowk District Karak KP, Pakistan

Abstract

The purpose of the paper writing and research work was to explore the spider fauna collected from Mitha Khel and its territories Karak Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The study was conducted from January 2017 to December 2017. During the fieldwork total of 16 species were observed and collected from Mitha Khel and in its surroundings namely Tarkhakoi, Sangathri, Serekhawa, Shawal Ada and Niazi Chowk. The spider observed and collected belongs to 1 Order (Aranae), and the spiders observed belongs to 10 families, namely, Agelenidae, Theridiidae, Pholcidae, Araneidae, Eutichuridae, Hersiliidae, Salticidae, Philodromidae, Sicariidae, Lycosidae. Among all of these families Sicariidae was the most abundant family having 3 species and the families Agelenidae, Theridiidae, Lycosidae and Pholcidae, have 2 species each, and the rest have 1 representative species each. Along with observation their local names, either they are harmful or not, worldwide diversity and their habitat were studied. Spiders were observed mostly during the summer season in shady areas from February to August. The present study reveals that Mitha Khel and its territories have rich spider fauna. A similar study is needed to explore the spider fauna in the upper regions i.e, Esak Chunthra, Ghundi Mir Khan Khel, Palosa and Sabir Abad.