Diversity And Identification Of Aranea (Spiders) in District Hangu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Abstract

This research addresses a knowledge gap concerning the spider population in Southern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, with a specific focus on the Hangu District in Pakistan. Spiders, renowned for their eight legs and their ability to produce silk, play a crucial role in ecosystems worldwide. They contribute to essential functions such as nutrient cycling, pest control, and soil fertility. The present study documents the diversity of spider fauna from District Hangu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK), Pakistan. A total of 57 specimens were collected during surveys conducted across six sampling sites: Kahi, Togh Bala, Kach Banda, Kotki, Karbogha Sharif, and Zargari. Collected specimens were preserved and identified using standard taxonomic keys.  The survey revealed representatives of 1 order, 11 families, 18 genera, and 23 species. The family Salticidae was the most diverse with eight species, and then Araneidae with four species, whereas several families had a single species each. Among the total, 11 species (47.8%) were common, while 12 species (52.2%) were uncommon in encounter rate. This research presents the first comprehensive baseline on spider diversity from District Hangu, which reflects the ecological importance of these predators in local ecosystems. The results will be useful for future ecological monitoring, conservation planning, and faunistic evaluations of arachnids in Pakistan.