Habitats and cardinal directions are key variables structuring spider leaf litter assemblages under Searsia lancea

摘要: Abstract Spiders are a prominent component of leaf litter assemblages, where they function as critical predators other invertebrates. We investigated the influence habitat, cardinal directions and position on Searsia lancea litter-dwelling spider assemblages in central South Africa. A total 1521 spiders were collected, representing 27 families 77 species. Species richness, abundance coverage per tree highest grassland, followed by hillside riparian habitats. Neither finer scale filters, direction nor position, had significant effects species richness or abundance, although there was weak evidence for an increase toward periphery (p = 0.09) decrease towards western (p = 0.08). composition, though, significantly affected habitat (p = 0.001) (p = 0.014), well three way-interaction between (p = 0.01). Hillside assemblage structure is intermediate two distributions all habitats multimodal, indicating disturbance. Particularly, log-series distribution both grassland woodland point to more disturbed than (Poisson log-normal distribution). Habitat therefore played role affecting (composition abundance). Although variables only effect influenced direction, particularly climatically variable hillside. The higher evenness less nature emphasize conservation significance this habitat.