Association of spiders and lichen on Robben Island, South Africa: a case report

Lichen-rich patches on Robben Island, South Africa, support significantly higher spider diversity and abundance compared to bush habitats. This first record of spider occurrence on the island reveals that lichens, through their habitat structure—such as branch size and epiphytic coverage—enhance spider populations. Researchers collected 260 spiders over a year, finding 170 in lichen habitats versus 90 in bushes, with seasonal trends confirming greater relative density in lichens. The study suggests that lichen abundance plays a crucial role in structuring spider communities, highlighting the indirect yet vital contribution of lichens to biodiversity on the island.

Mukherjee, A., Wilske, B., Navarro, R. A., Dippenaar-Schoeman, A., & Underhill, L. G. (2010). Association of spiders and lichen on Robben Island, South Africa: a case report. Journal of Threatened Taxa, 2(4), 815–819. https://doi.org/10.11609/jott.o2295.815-9