Indian Arachnology (Order: Araneae) in the 21st Century: Trends, Gaps and Future Prospects

Although Indian Araneae research over the last 20 years has provided insights into spatio-temporal diversity patterns, we lack a methodical synthesis of the work, resulting in knowledge blind spots for answering more pressing questions of ecology and conservation for the taxon. In this study, we present a comprehensive review of the status of Indian arachnological research spanning the 21st century. We find a systematic bias in research (>80%) towards inventories and taxonomic descriptions, with little work on aspects of ecology, biogeography and phylogeny, thereby impairing conservation efforts. Compared to global research advancements, much of the Indian data seems to be qualitative with under-docu­mentation from several important ecozones, highlighting an urgent need to initiate systematic research to achieve a more comprehensive understanding of the Araneae fauna of the country for inclusion in conservation and policy-making.