Occurence of Araneus ventricosus in Shandong Published on Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)

On September 16, 2023, a discovery was reported to the Biodiversity Conservation in Our Neighborhood (BCON) working group of the China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF). In the vegetable gardens of Bianzhuang Village, Chengtou Town, Shanting District, Zaozhuang City, Shandong Province, a coin-sized Abdominous Garden Spider (scientific name: Araneus ventricosus) was found by local farmer.

The CBCGDF-BCON team promptly engaged experts to carefully identify the images and videos, and confirmed the species as the Araneus ventricosus, or Abdominous Garden Spider (大腹园蛛) in Chinese. Subsequently, in late September 2023, this observation was documented and shared with the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).

The Abdominous Garden Spider, a member of the Araneidae family, is typically found in East Asia, with recorded distributions in China, Japan, Korea, and North Korea. This spider plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance in its natural habitat. However, as recounted by Wang Yanjing, the manager of the Eco-Site responsible for the discovery, the Abdominous Garden Spider, once common in his youth, has become increasingly rare in northern regions of China in recent years. This decline may be linked to the widespread use of pesticides.

The extensive use of chemical pesticides has had adverse effects on biodiversity. It not only directly harms beneficial organisms such as insects and spiders in agricultural ecosystems but also contributes to the loss of overall biodiversity. Promoting sustainable agricultural practices, reducing pesticide usage, and conducting biodiversity education and outreach are essential steps to raise awareness about environmental conservation. These efforts aim to bring these fascinating creatures back into the spotlight.

The CBCGDF, through the Biodiversity Conservation in Our Neighborhood (BCON) initiative, encourages more farmers to engage in biodiversity conservation. To date, over ten farms have joined and supported this initiative by adopting biodiversity-friendly agricultural practices.

This discovery serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving biodiversity and the need for sustainable coexistence between humans and the natural world.

Reporter: Littlejane
Editor: Sara
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References:

  1. GBIF: Araneus ventricosus (L.Koch, 1878)
    https://www.gbif.org/species/2159950
  2. Kono, N., Nakamura, H., Ohtoshi, R. et al. Orb-weaving spider Araneus ventricosus genome elucidates the spidroin gene catalogue. Sci Rep 9, 8380 (2019).
    https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-44775-2
  3. Koch, L. (1878). Japanesische Arachniden und Myriapoden. Verhandlungen Der Kaiserlich-Königlichen Zoologisch-Botanischen Gesellschaft in Wien 27(1877): 735-798, Pl. 15-, 16.

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