Ecological assessment of spider diversity in an educational landscape: A case study from Sangola

Indian college campuses, often characterized by expansive green cover and semi-natural habitats, serve as overlooked reservoirs of biodiversity. This study assesses the ecological significance of Sangola College Campus, District Solapur, with a focus on spider diversity as an indicator of habitat complexity and ecological health. Over a three-month survey period, 17 entries were documented, of which 16 were confirmed as true spiders (Order: Araneae), spanning 13 families. One entry, Messorbarbarus, was misclassified under Hymenoptera, underscoring the need for taxonomic refinement in field-based biodiversity assessments. The recorded spider fauna included both ground-dwelling and arboreal species, reflecting diverse ecological adaptations. Dominant families such as Lycosidae, Cheiracanthiidae, Sparassidae, and Oxyopidae were frequently observed, with genera like Rabidosa, Trochosa, and Oxyopessalticus indicating habitat richness. The presence of orb-weavers (Araneidae, Tetragnathidae) and sac spiders (Cheiracanthiidae) further highlights the structural complexity of the campus vegetation. Spiders, as both predators and prey, play a crucial role in natural pest regulation and ecosystem balance. These findings establish a baseline for future biodiversity monitoring and reinforce the value of college campuses as living laboratories for ecological education and conservation.