E-International Scientific Research Journal ISSN: 2094-1749 Volume: 3 Issue: 1, 2011 23 Spider (Arachnida: Araneae) Families of Three Ecosystems of Maharashtra, India R.V.Hippargi*, A.K.Bodkhe**, M.P.Chikhale**, G.B.Santape**, R. M. Behere**, P.M.Bolde***, S.Manthen****, K.R.Rao*, N.V.Shah* * Dept. of Zoology, Walchand College of Arts & Science, Solapur. **Dept. of Zoology, S.G.B. Amravati University, Amravati. ***Dept. of Electronics & Telecommunications, A. G. Patil Institute of Technology, Solapur **** Dept. of Zoology, D.B.F. Dayanand College of Arts & Science, Solapur Abstract: This article presents a study on the distribution and current status of spider families in three ecosystems of Maharashtra state. The basic goals of this study were to gather baseline distribution data on spiders by undertaking exhaustive surveys at some selected sites of three ecosystems of Maharashtra Viz. Lonar Crater Sanctuary, (Buldhana district), Melghat Tiger Sanctuary, (Amravati district), Southern Tropical Thorn Forest ecosystem, (Solapur district). During our analysis a total of 19, 25 & 31 spider families were recorded respectively from these three ecosystems. The statistical and diversity indices for each study sites were calculated. Such surveys are vital for conservation of these creatures in the light of climate change and building a biodiversity database of spider fauna of Maharashtra in near future. Keywords: Spider family, Lonar crater, Melghat Sanctuary, Solapur, Maharashtra Introduction: The current global list of spider fauna is approximately 42,055 belonging to 3821 genera and 110 families (Platnick, 2011). The spider fauna of India is represented by 1520 spider species belonging to 377 genera and 60 families (Sebastian and Peter, 2009). There still exist major gaps in our knowledge of biodiversity of spiders in many areas within varied ecosystems of India. Spiders are an important but generally poorly studied group of arthropods that play a significant role in the regulation of insect pests and other invertebrate populations in most ecosystems. Despite their abundance, ecological importance and ubiquitous occurrences, spiders are seldom included among organisms surveyed for extensive studies and conservation (Cole, 1994). General Series on fauna published by Gazetteer of India, Maharashtra State, records a total of 90 species of spiders belonging to 14 families (Tikader, 1974). Long term and meaningful conservation requires the complete knowledge of the species in various ecosystems. In view of this it is imperative to undertake studies concerning the spider diversity of Maharashtra. Some recent workers on Indian spiders include Majumdar and Tikader (1991), Reddy and Patel (1992), Biswas and Biswas (1992), Biswas and Majumdar (1995), Sadana and Goel (1995), Biswas et al. (1996), Biswas and Majumdar (2000), Patel and Vyas (2001), Patel (2003a,b), Biswas and Biswas (2003).