Phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily Prodidominae (Arachnida: Araneae: Gnaphosidae)

Abstract

Prodidominae was recently re-established as a subfamily of Gnaphosidae, comprising 316 species placed in 33 genera. In this study, we conduct a cladistic analysis including 59 species of Prodidominae and 32 outgroup species. The matrix is composed of 291 morphological characters and the data are analysed under the parsimony criterion, using differing weighting regimes. Prodidominae is not recovered as monophyletic, because Anagrina did not arise within the subfamily. Cryptotoerithus, Molycria, Myandra, Nomindra, Wesmaldra and Wydundra arise to form a clade. Thus, we re-establish Molycriinae as a distinct subfamily in Gnaphosidae, sister to Prodidominae. We redefine the limits of Prodidominae to include the genera Austrodomus, Brasilomma, Caudalia, Chileomma, Chileuma, Chilongius, Eleleis, Indiani, Katumbea, Lygromma, Lygrommatoides, Moreno, Namundra, Neozimiris, Nopyllus, Paracymbiomma, Plutonodomus, Prodidomus, Purcelliana, Theuma, Theumella, Tivodrassus, Tricongius, Zimirina and Zimiris. Species of these genera share the presence of anterior lateral spinnerets with pyriform gland spigots associated with patches of long setae and the presence of a large protrusion between coxae IV with erect setae and unsclerotized margins. In addition, we propose three new synonymies: Oltacloea as a junior synonym of Tricongius, and Prodida as junior synonym of Prodidomus. Lygromma ybyguara is transferred to Tricongius.

The ground spider genera Leptodrassex Murphy, 2007 and Leptopilos Levy, 2009 (Araneae: Gnaphosidae) in southern Africa, including the description of a new genus and seven new species

“…; specimens in NMBA 13987 from Bloemfontein), but were not specifically identified as such in that paper. These modified Pi are quite likely unique amongst all Gnaphosidae (see examples of gnaphosid spinnerets in Ramírez 2014, Azevedo et al 2018 andRodrigues &Rheims 2000), and should be investigated in Leptodrassus, Neodrassex and other related gnaphosids to establish their occurrence and potential as a synapomorphy for Leptodrassinae.…”

A completely resolved phylogenetic tree of British spiders (Arachnida: Araneae)

“…The results of Wheeler et al (2017) show that morphological data have so far failed to converge on a stable and reliable phylogenetic reconstruction for Gnaphosoidea. Recent morphological analyses by Rodrigues & Rheims (2020) and Azevedo et al (2018) show fundamental differences compared to the molecular analysis presented by Wheeler et al (2017). For example, the morphological analyses place Prodidomidae deep within Gnaphosidae; a placement that the molecular data contradict with strong support.…”

“…rev. ), sister to Cithaeronidae, based on the results in Azevedo et al (2018) and Rodrigues & Rheims (2020). This separation seems justified given the long-standing debate about the placement of Micaria, which often was included in Clubionidae instead of Gnaphosidae.…”

A completely resolved phylogenetic tree of British spiders

“…The results of Wheeler et al (2017) show that morphological data have so far failed to converge on a stable and reliable phylogenetic reconstruction for Gnaphosoidea. Recent morphological analyses by Rodrigues & Rheims (2020) and Azevedo et al (2018) show fundamental differences compared to the molecular analysis presented by Wheeler et al (2017). For example, they place Prodidomidae deep within Gnaphosidae; a placement that molecular analyses contradict with strong support.…”