Investigation of Seasonal Sex Changes and Young Activities in Wolf and Ground Spiders (Araneae: Lycosidae, Gnaphosidae)

Authors: MUHAMMED İSMAİL VAROL, FARUK KUTBAY

Abstract: Seasonal activities of wolf spiders (Lycosidae) and ground spiders (Gnaphosidae) were studied in a meadow in Van between 30.11.1993 and 27.11.1994. Nineteen species belonging to 4 genera in Lycosidae and 11 species belonging to 6 genera in Gnaphosidae were identified by using pitfall traps. It was observed that male and female lycosids were active from February to July, subadult lycosids were active from May to July, female gnaphosids were active from March to October, male gnaphosids were active from February to October and subadult gnaphosids were active from February to November. In Lycosidae, adults comprised 31% of the population, the male to female ratio was 1:1.30, and the adult to subadult ratio was 1:0.46. In Gnaphosidae, adults comprised 51% of the population, the male to female ratio was 1:1.33, and the adult to subadult ratio was 1:1.03.

Keywords: Spider, Lycosidae, Gnaphosidae, seasonal activity

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