SPIDER FAUNA (ARANEAE) OF ABU GHILAN NATIONAL PARK, NORTH-WESTERN LIBYA

This study was carried out in Abu Ghilan National Park, a protected area and nature reserve, is located on the eastern frontier of the Jabel Nefosa mountain range, in North Western Libya. Spiders were collected using active search and pitfall traps over a period of one year from December 2007 till November 2008. A total of 1872 spiders from 58 genera and 27 families were collected. Some families showed higher diversity in a number of genera (Araneidae, Gnaphosidae, Salticidae and Thomisidae). Spiders showed significant differences among habitat, sampling methods and seasons in regard to abundance, but did not show significant differences regarding diversity. Functional groups distribution was influenced by habitat type. Abu Ghilan National Park has a surprising array of spiders to be a good reserve for conservation.