We present a phylogenetic analysis of spiders using a dataset of 932 spider species, representing 115 families (only the family Synaphridae is unrepresented), 700 known genera, and additional representatives of 26 unidentified or undescribed genera. Eleven genera of the orders Amblypygi, Palpigradi, Schizomida and Uropygi are included as outgroups. The dataset includes six markers from the mitochondrial (12S, 16S, COI) and nuclear (histone H3, 18S, 28S) genomes, and was analysed by multiple methods, including constrained analyses using a highly supported backbone tree from transcriptomic data. We recover most of the higher‐level structure of the spider tree with good support, including Mesothelae, Opisthothelae, Mygalomorphae and Araneomorphae. Several of our analyses recover Hypochilidae and Filistatidae as sister groups, as suggested by previous transcriptomic analyses. The Synspermiata are robustly supported, and the families Trogloraptoridae and Caponiidae are found as sister to the Dysderoidea. Our results support the Lost Tracheae clade, including Pholcidae, Tetrablemmidae, Diguetidae, Plectreuridae and the family Pacullidae (restored status) separate from Tetrablemmidae. The Scytodoidea include Ochyroceratidae along with Sicariidae, Scytodidae, Drymusidae and Periegopidae; our results are inconclusive about the separation of these last two families. We did not recover monophyletic Austrochiloidea and Leptonetidae, but our data suggest that both groups are more closely related to the Cylindrical Gland Spigot clade rather than to Synspermiata. Palpimanoidea is not recovered by our analyses, but also not strongly contradicted. We find support for Entelegynae and Oecobioidea (Oecobiidae plus Hersiliidae), and ambiguous placement of cribellate orb‐weavers, compatible with their non‐monophyly. Nicodamoidea (Nicodamidae plus Megadictynidae) and Araneoidea composition and relationships are consistent with recent analyses. We did not obtain resolution for the titanoecoids (Titanoecidae and Phyxelididae), but the Retrolateral Tibial Apophysis clade is well supported. Penestomidae, and probably Homalonychidae, are part of Zodarioidea, although the latter family was set apart by recent transcriptomic analyses. Our data support a large group that we call the marronoid clade (including the families Amaurobiidae, Desidae, Dictynidae, Hahniidae, Stiphidiidae, Agelenidae and Toxopidae). The circumscription of most marronoid families is redefined here. Amaurobiidae include the Amaurobiinae and provisionally Macrobuninae. We transfer Malenellinae (Malenella, from Anyphaenidae), Chummidae (Chumma) (new syn.) and Tasmarubriinae (Tasmarubrius, Tasmabrochus and Teeatta, from Amphinectidae) to Macrobuninae. Cybaeidae are redefined to include Calymmaria, Cryphoeca, Ethobuella and Willisius (transferred from Hahniidae), and Blabomma and Yorima (transferred from Dictynidae). Cycloctenidae are redefined to include Orepukia (transferred from Agelenidae) and Pakeha and Paravoca (transferred from Amaurobiidae). Desidae are rede...

The spider family Filistatidae is represented in Argentina by at least twelve species. The synanthropic and apparently introduced Kukulcania hibernalis (Hentz) is the only representative of the Filistatinae. The remaining species all belong to Prithinae. Two new prithine genera are described: Lihuelistata is erected for Filistata metamerica Mello-Leitão, and Misionella is erected for Filistata mendensis Mello-Leitão. Pikelinia Mello-Leitão is represented by P. tambilloi (Mello-Leitão), P. patagonica (Mello-Leitão), newly transferred from Malalistata, and seven new species: P. colloncura, P. mahuell, P. roigi, P. kolla, P. ticucho, P. toba and P. puna. The genus Malalistata Mello-Leitão is newly synonymized with Pikelinia. Filistata fasciata Banks, is transferred to Pikelinia. A cladistic analysis of filistatid genera is made, based on a data matrix of 13 terminals scored for 29 characters. Pikelinia, Lihuelistata and Misionella form a monophyletic group united by the partial fusion of cymbium and tegulum and the incrassate male palpal tibia. The resulting cladogram conflicts with a previous hypothesis of relationships only on the placement of Filistatinella. The morphology of posterior respiratory system of filistatids is examined, and its connections with abdominal muscles elucidated. On that base, it is demonstrated that the remnants of posterior respiratory system of prithines are homologous of entapophyses (muscular apodemes) instead of book-lungs.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

The new genus and species Myrmecicultor chihuahuensis Ramirez, Grismado, and Ubick is described and proposed as the type of the new family, Myrmecicultoridae Ramirez, Grismado, and Ubick. The species is ecribellate, with entelegyne genitalia, two tarsal claws, without claw tufts, and the males have a retrolateral palpal tibial apophysis. Some morphological characters suggest a pos¬ sible relationship with Zodariidae or Prodidomidae, but the phylogenetic analysis of six markers from the mitochondrial (12S rDNA, 16S rDNA, cytochrome oxidase subunit I) and nuclear (histone H3, 18S rDNA, 28S rDNA) genomes indicate that M. chihuahuensis is a separate lineage emerging near the base of the Dionycha and the Oval Calamistrum clade. The same result is obtained when the molecular data are combined with a dataset of morphological characters. Specimens of M. chi¬ huahuensis were found associated with three species of harvester ants, Pogonomyrmex rugosus, Novomessor albisetosis, and Novomessor cockerelli, and were collected in pitfall traps when the ants are most active. The known distribution spans the Big Bend region of Texas (Presidio, Brewster, and Hudspeth counties), to Coahuila (Cuatro Cienegas) and Aguascalientes (Tepezala), Mexico.

The taxonomy of the poorly known South American goblin spider genus Birabenella Grismado (Araneae: Oonopidae) is updated in light of recently collected material. Three new species are described: B. kamanchaca, from northern Chile, B. portai, from northwestern Argentina, and B. chincha, from southern Peru, where the genus is reported for the first time. The diagnosis of the genus is updated; the presence of the ventral digitiform projection on the male copulatory bulb in the three newly described species supports this character as a putative synapomorphy for the genus. Additionally, all species in this genus possess unipec-tinate tarsal claws. Preliminary observations indicate that there is some degree of variability in tarsal organ morphology.

No abstract