Spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) Of Milbridge, Washington County, Maine

An inventory or spiders associated with diverse habitats of Milbridge, a 6,290-ha area of the East Coastal BioPhysical Region, yielded 6,979 individuals of 19 families, 145 genera, and 302 species (4 unknown). Species richness per genus ranged from 1 to 13, with 88 genera represented by a single species. Total species composition favored web spinners over hunters; however, more hunters were collected than web spinners, and more females were collected than males. Pitfall traps yielded the greatest number of species and individuals; fully 47 percent of the inventoried spiders were method-unique species. Species-faunal compositions were generally distinct among the sampled habitats and included habitat-unique species. Species-range extensions include new state, regional, and national records. The total estimated araneofaunal richness for Milbridge is 24 families, 172 genera, and ~ 411 species.