New live capture Araneae trap for ecologically sensitive areas

Contemporary field sampling methods for collecting invertebrates are typically destructive posing a risk to invertebrate populations many of which are already threatened worldwide. As an important ecological keystone order with extensive links with other trophic levels, spiders (Araneae) can act as indicators of ecosystem function. We present a novel non-kill trap designed to sample ground dwelling Araneae. The Sanctum Aranearum is a trap baited with structural complexity; the internal structure of the trap is designed to maximise surfaces available for web. The trap is open by design so that animals are free to enter and exit in order to minimise bycatch fatalities. Sancta Aranearum were field tested over three months at two sites in two types of vegetation. Traps were emptied monthly and total within-trap fatalities were recorded alongside vertebrate bycatch. Total invertebrate fatalities were minimal with Araneae cannibalism only occurring in one Sancta. As part of this proof-of-concept, invertebrates were destructively sampled for identification and included a wide variety of genera from both the target group (Araneae) and bycatch groups including small bodied groups often missed by pitfall traps. The Sanctum Aranearum is functional as a non-kill alternative trap allowing repeated sampling in sensitive areas, such as Orokonui Ecosanctuary where it has been approved for use. The trap can be constructed with minimal cost so is suitable for educational activities. We encourage further testing of this new design.