Spider diversity responds strongly to edge effects but weakly to vegetation structure in riparian forests of Southern Brazil

摘要: Riparian forests bordering open terrestrial environments may have three microhabitats differing in structure and conditions: a grassland/pasture-forest edge (GE), forest interior (FI) river–forest edge. The influence of such effects vegetation characteristics on spider diversity riparian was evaluated Southern Brazil. Four different rivers were sampled the tree–shrub strata with beating tray, twice per season for 2 years. There six transects river, two microhabitat. We compared abundance, species richness composition. Vegetation variables vertical (horizontal) density, canopy height cover. Overall 42,057 spiders sampled, 28 families 440 species. FI had higher abundance than edges. Average differed among rivers. Microhabitats did not differ average richness, although overall (from sample-based rarefaction) GE FI. High abundances result from lowered stress due to abiotic conditions, while faunal superposition between those grassland/pasture. Only cover returns positive relationship (richness adult abundance). This might more preferring build webs or hunt under low-light environments. Rivers faunas composition but same. has been hypothesized affect spiders, this impact be best seen specific subgroups guilds within whole assemblage.