Faunal Biodiversity of Lycosidae (Araneomorphae: Araneae: Arachnida) in India: An Updated Checklist

Abstract

Faunal biodiversity of the wolf spiders (Lycosidae: Araneomorphae: Araneae: Arachnida) in different states of India and union territories is presented herewith. A total of 155 species placed under 25 genera of Lycosidae were recorded in all states and union territories of India except Nagaland, Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar Haveli, and Lakshdweep, out of which 91 species (58.7%) were strictly endemic. However, among them 8 species seem to be erroneous report or misidentification. Maximum number of speci es were recorded in Maharashtra followed by 65 species in West Bengal, 57 species in Gujarat, 50 species in Uttarakhand, 39 species in Madhya Pradesh, 38 species in Kerala, 36 species in Karnataka, 33 species in Jammu and Kashmir and less than 30 species are recorded in other states. Six species of Lycosidae are widely distributed, viz. Wadicosa fidelis (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1872) (25 states, 3 union territories), Pardosa sumatrana (Thorell, 1890) (23 states, 1 union territory), Pardosa pseudoannulata (Bösenberg and Strand, 1906) (19 states, 1 union territory), Hippasa agelenoides (Simon, 1884) (17 states, 1 union territory), Hippasa greenalliae (Blackwall, 1867) (16 states, 1 union territory), and Lycosa tista Tikader, 1970 (16 states). About one-third of the species of Lycosidae reported in India are recorded only in one state or from the type locality. Hence, extensive faunistic surveys for these spiders are required.