A Comprehensive Study of Spider Diversity in India and Their Phylogenetic Relationships

Abstract

Spiders are ecologically important terrestrial arthropods that contribute to natural pest regulation, food-web stability, and biodiversity assessment. India supports diverse spider assemblages across forests, grasslands, wetlands, agricultural landscapes, deserts, and urban ecosystems; however, national-scale information on diversity patterns and phylogenetic relationships remains incomplete. This study proposes an integrative assessment of spider diversity, distribution, taxonomic composition, and evolutionary relationships across representative ecological regions of India. Standardised field surveys would employ pitfall trapping, sweep netting, beating trays, leaf-litter extraction, hand collection, and visual encounter surveys. Voucher specimens would be identified using diagnostic morphological characters, taxonomic keys, and published identification resources. Representative taxa would undergo DNA barcoding using mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequences, supplemented by selected nuclear markers where necessary. Phylogenetic relationships would be reconstructed using maximum-likelihood and Bayesian-inference methods, while species diversity would be evaluated through richness, evenness, Shannon–Wiener, and Simpson indices. Geographic information system tools would be used to map distribution patterns and potential biodiversity hotspots. Integrating morphology, molecular evidence, and spatial analysis is expected to improve species identification, support the detection of cryptic diversity, and clarify relationships among selected spider groups. The proposed framework would provide a scientific basis for biodiversity documentation, ecological monitoring, conservation planning, and future systematic research on Indian arachnofauna.