1Graphic Era Deemed to be University, Dehradun, 248002, Uttarakhand, India
2Wildlife Institute of India, Chandrabani, Dehradun, 248001, Uttarakhand, India
3Department of Zoology, Ram Chandra Uniyal Government Post Graduate College, Uttarkashi, 249193, Uttarakhand, India
*Email: madhuthapliyal@gmail.com (corresponding author)
Online Published on 17 December, 2025.
The state of Uttarakhand in India was created in the year 2000 with Dehradun as its capital, prompting increased human activity in the Doon Valley and dramatic shifts in land use patterns. Spiders are good indicator species for habitat quality and they can offer insights into disturbances in habitat either due to anthropogenic activities or climate change phenomenon. To assess the impact of anthropogenic activity in the Doon Valley, we conducted a long-term study, comparing it with Uttarkashi District. The study revealed 31 species and 28 genera of spiders across 13 families in the Doon Valley, while Uttarkashi District exhibited 37 species and 31 genera across 17 families, including the rare Asian Tarantulas (Haplocosmia himalayana, Pocock, 1899), a member of the Theraphosidae family. Pholcidae and Salticidae were consistently found in both regions, with Araneidae predominating. Changes in species distribution, influenced by anthropogenic activities and climate variations, indicate ongoing ecosystem shifts.
Doon Valley, Uttarkashi, Garhwal Himalaya, Spider, Anthropogenic Activity, Biodiversity, Indicators, Arachnids, Asian Tarantula, Climate Change
