Survey of spiders at Mt. Hamiguitan, Davao Oriental, Philippines

Abstract

A survey of spiders was done to provide information about spiders in the Mt. Hamiguitan, Davao Oriental, Philippines, a unique mountain range that houses the 100,000 hectares bonsai forest. This study was done to identify spiders up to the lowest taxonomic level. There were four sampling stations established in dipterocarp forest, grassy, pygmy forest and secondary growth forest. In each station, a belt transect line measuring 100m by 10m was established extending 5 m on both sides of the transect belt. There were forty-seven different specimens collected in all station and was found out to belong to nine families. These were Araneidae, Clubionidae, Ctenizidae, Lycisidae, Oxyopidae, Pisauridae, Salticidae, Tetragnathidae and Thomisidae. Out of the nine families, 2 were orb weaver, 4 were ground spiders and 3 were aero-terrestrial. Abiotic factors were also determined during the time of collection such as temperature, relative humidity and altitude. The highest temperature recorded was in station 1 with 26.5ºC and highest relative humidity was recorded in Station 2 with 92% humidity. Highest elevation was recorded in the third station with 1172masl. With this gathered data, it is also relevant to conduct further study to compare the presence of spiders during wet and dry season.