Spider (Arachnida: Araneae) Diversity of Maval Region in Pune District of Maharashtra, India

Spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) are among the most abundant predatory taxa within the phylum Arthropoda, playing a crucial role as bioindicators of environmental conditions and as natural pest controllers in agroecosystems. The present study aims to assess and document the diversity of spiders in Maval Tehsil of Pune District in the state of Maharashtra, India. The study area holds historical significance from the pre-independence time and it is also a part of the Northern Western Ghats, a recognized biodiversity hotspot. Systematic faunistic surveys were conducted during 2023-2024 which resulted in the identification of 46 species distributed across 19 genera and 9 families. This preliminary research provides a baseline for understanding the Arachnid fauna of the region. These findings provide a foundational understanding of the spider diversity in the region and underscore the critical ecological role spiders play in promoting agroecosystem stability. Furthermore, the research emphasizes the urgent need for conservation measures aimed at preserving spider habitats to ensure sustainable ecosystem management as the study area is prone to aftermath of ongoing Industrial development in the region.