Preliminary study of spider diversity (Arachnida: Araneae) in Annai Vailankanni Arts and Science College Campus, Thanjavur, India

This preliminary study documents spider diversity using visual search, sweep-netting, foliage beating, and opportunistic nocturnal sampling, 25 species belonging to 21 genera and 9 families were recorded. Araneidae and Salticidae were the dominant families (28% each). Functional guild analysis showed dominance of stalkers (40%) and orb-web weavers (32%), reflecting habitat heterogeneity. The study provides baseline data for future taxonomic, ecological, and conservation research.