EFEITOS DOS ATRIBUTOS REPRODUTIVOS SOBRE A ASSEMBLEIA DE ARANHAS ASSOCIADAS A Ludwigia lagunae

Abstract

Spiders generally do not have a direct relationship with host plants; however, they can be indirectly influenced by the structural conditions they provide. Some studies have shown that spider assemblages associated with macrophytes are determined by the structural complexity these plants offer in these environments. This study aims to expand the knowledge of arachnid fauna in the Cerrado-Pantanal ecotone, adopting a descriptive community approach to understand whether the assembly of spiders associated with aquatic macrophytes is affected by the different phenological stages of these plants. The study was conducted in the Natural Municipal Park of Lagoa Comprida, located in the municipality of Aquidauana, MS. Ten plants were selected and monitored monthly, with active searching for 30 minutes during each collection. The number of flower buds, flowers, immature fruits, and mature fruits was counted in each collection. Spiders were collected using the beating method with the aid of an entomological umbrella; floral visitors with the help of an entomological net, and other arthropods with the assistance of an entomological umbrella. To evaluate the effects of phenological variables of L. lagunae and the abundance of main prey on the spider community, a multiple linear regression analysis was conducted using the 'lm' function from the 'stats' package in the R software. L. lagunae plants showed flowering and fruiting throughout the sampling period, and 447 spiders were collected, distributed among 12 morphospecies. There was no significant correlation between the plant's phenology and the abundance and richness of the associated spider community. Possibly, the overall habitat complexity determines these parameters, so studying only the plant's phenophase is not sufficient for determining this correlation. There was also no significant correlation between prey availability and the abundance and richness of the associated spider community. Possibly, this variable is directly influenced by the structural complexity of the habitat. Emphasizing the need for a more comprehensive approach to understand the factors affecting the spider community and highlighting the complexity of ecological relationships in a natural environment.