Study of the taxonomic and temporal diversity of artichoke crop spiders Cynara scolymus L.

Abstract

Study of the taxonomic and temporal diversity of artichoke crop spiders Cynara scolymus L. Spiders represent one of the most diverse faunal groups. They are numerous and functionally important generalist predators in agroecosystems, since they play an important role as natural enemies of pest insects. The Cinturón Hortícola Platense is one of the main producing regions of horticultural crops, particularly artichoke Cynara scolymus L. (Asteraceae), from the Province of Buenos Aires, Argentina. Spiders collected seasonally for two years using vacuum cleaners and pitfall traps in plots of artichoke crops of different ages. The purpose of the work is to document the family composition, guilds, alpha, beta diversity, as well as seasonal variations of spider communities in artichoke crops. Total spiders recorded were 4826, representing 65 species/morphospecies from 19 families, Linyphiidae and Lycosidae being the most abundant families and Laminacauda montevidensis (Keyserling) (Araneae: Linyphiidae) the numerically most important species. The percentage of families present in the cultivation of artichoke was 27.94% of the total families present in Argentina. The younger crop presented greater abundance and richness of spiders. The values of the diversity indices were high and the most represented guild was that of sheet weavers due to the large proportion of specimens of the Linyphiidae family. This study is the first record for Argentina on artichoke crops, and contributes to the knowledge of the spider fauna adapted to agricultural environments with a high degree of anthropic disturbance.