Abstract:
El Atteuf is part of the oases located in the Algerian Sahara, which are conducive to the cultivation of date
palms (Phoenix dactylifera). In order to assess the variety of spiders present in this area, a study was conducted
for this purpose over a 3-month sampling period from February 2023 to April 2023, in two different stations
with a 10-day interval between each harvest outing. Sampling was carried out using two methods : visual
hunting, which was the most effective method (93 spiders), and Baber pots. A total of 135 spiders were
collected, including 73 females, 33 males, and 29 juveniles. The results showed a diversity of families and
species, with a dominance of the Lycosidae family (79 spiders), followed by the Gnaphosidae family (41
spiders) compared to other families. The species Wadicosa fidelis (54 spiders) and Nomisia castanea (29
spiders) were also prominent, while other species had a lower yield. The study we conducted highlighted the
significant influence of the composition and structure of the palm grove vegetation on spider families, their
composition, and their feeding habits. Furthermore, we observed that this influence is closely related to the
abundance of water in the region.
