Checklist of Arachnids in Taman Rimba Ilmu Tanah BRIS (TRIBE), Besut: A New Record of Damarchus sp. in Terengganu

Abstract

This record provides the first, albeit preliminary, overview of the spiders in Taman Rimba Ilmu Tanah BRIS (TRIBE), UniSZA, highlighting the significance of beach ridges interspersed with swales (BRIS) soil ecosystems in supporting arachnid diversity. The arachnids were collected on 9-10^th August 2025, through visual encounters where the samples were handpicked or collected using a sweep net. Samples were also collected through vegetation beating and litter sieving. Sampling was conducted both during the day and night. A total of 319 individuals, consisting of 66 species belonging to 47 genera, 18 families, and two orders (Araneae and Scorpiones) were recorded in TRIBE. The jumping spiders, Salticidae, and the orb-weavers, Araneidae were the most species-rich families, with 16 and 11 species, respectively. The finding of the tube trapdoor spider, Damarchus sp. (Bemmeridae), marks the first record of this genus in the state of Terengganu, underscoring the ecological importance of BRIS habitats in harbouring unique arachnid species. The presence of the scorpion Lychas mucronatus (Buthidae, another first record in this state further enriches the biodiversity of TRIBE. These findings provide crucial baseline data for future biodiversity assessment of arachnids and emphasize the need for conservation efforts in BRIS ecosystems in Malaysia.