Abstract: In order to study the distribution of heavy metals in wolf spider Pirata subpiraticus and their effect on activities of antioxidant enzymes, 50 soil samples and 300 individuals of P.. subpiraticus were collected from five different habitats in Nanyang City, Henan Province in June 2009. The contents of heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu and Zn), GSH level, and GST, CAT and SOD activities in different body parts of P. subpiraticus were measured using atomic absorption spectrometry. The results showed that the contents of Cd, Cu and Zn in P. subpiraticus were significantly different between four heavy metal polluted habitats  (TBJK, TBTK, NYYT, and NYJG) and the control habitat (BTM, a nature reserve with less heavy metal pollution)(P<0.05), and also significantly different among different body parts in the same site (P<0.05), whereas the rank order was cephalothorax>legs>abdomen. Contents of Cd, Cu and Zn in the male were significantly higher than those in the female (P<0.05). The higher the content of heavy metals, the higher the GSH level. Moreover, the GSH level in the male was significantly higher than that in the female (P<0.05). In different body parts, the highest GSH level was found in the cephalothorax, followed by legs and abdomen. GSH level and heavy metal content correlated positively (r²=0.854, P<0.05), while significant negative correlations existed between heavy metal content (Cd and Pb or Pb) and activities of antioxidant enzymes. The enzyme activities in the male were significantly lower than those in the female. In the same site activities of antioxidant enzymes were not significantly different among different body parts. Therefore, the degree of heavy metal pollution can be known through testing the activity change of antioxidant enzymes of P. subpiraticus, and this wolf spider can be used as a very important bio-indicator for heavy metals pollution.  

Key words: Pirata subpiraticus, heavy metal pollution, heavy metal content, antioxidant enzyme, enzyme activity