Community structure of Thomisidae (Araneae, Araneomorphae) in Tepoztlán, Morelos, Mexico: a one-year seasonal study

Spiders of the family Thomisidae are scarcely studied in Mexico, and ecological data for this family are practically nonexistent. To fill this gap, we carried out an ecological study of crab spiders in a deciduous tropical forest in San Andrés de la Cal, Tepoztlán, Morelos, central Mexico, evaluating seasonal variation in community structure over the annual cycle. Fieldwork consisted of systematized monthly diurnal collections by 5 people, implementing 3 sampling techniques: beating sheets, sweeping nets, and looking down. In total, we collected 839 spiders representing 9 genera and 16 species, of which 5 genera and 7 species are new state records. The highest richness, abundance, and diversity were recorded in the rainy season; however, unique species were found during each season. According to richness estimators, between 12 and 22% of the estimated species remain to be found in the study area. Evenness factors indicated that the community is composed primarily of rare species, with only a few dominant species. While this study reports a reliable inventory for the region, the species accumulation curve did not reach the asymptote, suggesting that additional ecological studies employing diverse protocols are needed to complement our knowledge of these spiders.