in Sri Lanka - Ministry of Environment

DistributionSpiders are found in all habitats, both natural and man-made. Benjamin (2006) has hypothisedthat the endemic Sri Lankan spider fauna are confined mostly to the intact natural forestremaining in the south-west and central high lands. Further, as in the case of other faunalgroups, the endemic Sri Lankan spiders are thought to be closely related to Western Ghatsin India. These hypotheses are supported by the results of a recent study (Benjamin, 2010).Conclusions and recommendationsSpiders are one of the largest taxonomic groups that are present in Sri Lanka and they playa key role in both man-made and natural ecosystems as predators. However, more than 75%of the spider species assessed during the Red Listing process, have been listed under theData Deficient (DD) category that indicates the huge gap that exist in the knowledge baseon Sri Lankan spiders. The study of spiders in Sri Lanka is still in a neonate stage and manynew genera and species await discovery, particularly from the northern part of the country ashighlighted by the discovery of several new species which belong to the genus Poecilotheria(Nanayakkara & Vishvanath 2011). Particularly the genus Poecilotheria has drawn the attentionof the scientific community across the World and several studies were initiated by differentresearchers at various times within a period of 20 years.Therefore, conducting an island-wide survey on spiders has been identified as a priority need.This activity can be coupled with the establishment of a reference collection at the NationalMuseum as well as establishing a second reference collection in a state academic institution inorder to facilitate the study of spiders. This activity can be funded through the National ScienceFoundation.Number of recent studies indicate the clear need to revise the taxonomy of the spider fauna ofSri Lanka. This reference collection can provide the basis for this activity. Further this can becoupled with training of new taxonomist. The only guide available on Sri Lankan spiders is asuperficial treatment by Pocock (1900), published over a century ago. Therefore, productionof an easy-to-use photographic identification/field guide for the spiders of Sri Lanka is highlyrecommended in order to popularize the study of spiders. Further, a web portal should beestablished for dissemination of information about the Sri Lankan spiders.Due to myths and folklore surrounding the spiders, particularly that of genus Poecilotheria(Tarantulas) due to its imagined virulent poison and its effects on humans, these creaturesface summarily destruction whenever located. This is a great pity as spiders are in realityimportant biological control agents, making a significant contribution to the agriculture and thelocal populace. It is vitally important to educate the local community of the relevant areas onthe need to conserve these creatures, as well as of the benefits that can be accrued from theirpresence and create awareness of the true facts and to dispel the myths.Pesticide use in Sri Lanka is still to be regulated; the pesticides Control of Pesticides Act addressesonly threats to human health and not environmental health or impact on non-target organisms.Therefore, pesticides approved for use in Sri Lanka should also be assessed for impact onspiders as well as other non-target organisms before being approved for use in Sri Lanka.43