ABSTRACT

The study assessed the diversity and abundance ofspiders species in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. The specific objectives of the studies were to identify the different spider species in four habitats of MOUAU (relic forest, fallow lands, farmlands and buildings and determine their spider species diversity and abundance in MOUAU. Survey was conducted for 6 months from Feb 2021 to Aug 2021 at different sites. Spiders were collected by Line transect and Quadrate methods. A total ofthree thousand, eight hundred and seventy one (3871) spider of twenty three (23) species were observed in Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike. Spiders were collected by adopting standard sampling techniques. The objectives were subjected to one way analysis of variance (ANOVA) test and results of objective I was presented using descriptive statistics. Results obtained revealed that Marbled celler spider was the most abundant, followed by Pholcus phalengiodes, while Bagheerg kipling was the least abundant spider species. The study revealed that spider species that occupied both the relic forest and building 68.04% were more diverse and abundant than those found only in buildings (31.96%). The long bodied cellar spider at 21.60% was observed to be more abundant than the other species, followed by the jumping spider (17.32%), the orb weavers (13.55%), wolf spiders (11.38%), wall spider (10.25), huntsman spider (9.38%), hobo spider (8.12%) were the least abundant species. The study also revealed that spider diversity is influenced by the type of habitat, vegetation and environmental disturbances. The study therefore recommends that greater awareness on the usefulness of spider’s species should be created among the society to improve their consciousness regarding the conservation ofspiders in general.