The biodiversity and species composition of the spider community of Marion Island, a recent survey (Arachnida: Araneae)

Abstract

Marion Island, the larger of the Prince Edward Islands, lies in the sub-Antarctic biogeographic region in the southern Indian Ocean. From previous surveys, four spider species are known from Marion. The last survey was undertaken in 1968. During this study a survey was undertaken over a period of four weeks on the island to determine the present spider diversity and to record information about the habitat preferences and general behaviour of the species present. Three collection methods (active search, Tullgren funnels and pitfall traps) were used, and spiders were sampled from six habitat sites. A total of 430 spiders represented by four families were collected, Myro kerguelenesis crozetensis Enderlein, 1909 and M. paucispinosus Berland, 1947 (Desidae), Prinerigone vagans (Audouin, 1826) (Linyphiidae), Cheiracanthium furculatum Karsch, 1879 (Miturgidae) and an immature Salticidae. The miturgid and salticid are first records. Neomaso antarticus (Hickman, 1939) (Linyphiidae) was absent from samples, confirming that the species might have been an erroneous record.