Web Of Life - Softcover

Reddy, Dr. H. Ramasubba

Softcover

ISBN 10: 9371641959 ISBN 13: 9789371641951

Publisher: Adhyyan Books, 2025

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Web of Life by Dr. H. Ramasubba Reddy represents a groundbreaking contribution to Indian arachnology and regional biodiversity documentation. This comprehensive study systematically explores spider diversity across three distinct habitat types in Andhra Pradesh's Nandyala District: human dwellings, cultivated gardens, and open agricultural lands. Through rigorous field methodology employing pit-fall traps, visual searches, sweep-net sampling, and inverted umbrella techniques, Dr. Reddy documented an impressive 157 spider species from 32 families. The research reveals gardens as biodiversity hotspots (23.7 species per site). while open lands surprisingly supported specialized communities despite harsh conditions. Even human-modified house environments contributed significantly to regional diversity. Beyond taxonomic documentation, the book illuminates fascinating ecological adaptations: orb-weavers modifying web architecture for garden structures, wolf spiders developing thermal tolerance for open-land hunting, and house-dwelling species displaying remarkable behavioral flexibility. The study establishes spiders as crucial ecosystem service providers, controlling agricultural pests equivalent to 15-20% of potential crop losses. This work fille critical knowledge gaps in Andhra Pradesh's understudied arachnofauna while providing practical conservation recommendations. Dr. Reddy's integration of scientific rigor with accessible writing makes this essential reading for researchers, conservationists, and anyone interested in India's remarkable but often overlooked spider diversity.

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