Huntsman spider phylogeny informs evolution of life history, egg sacs, and morphology.

Huntsman spiders (Araneae: Sparassidae) are among the most speciose spider families, with a near-worldwide distribution, diverse habitats, equally diverse life histories, and five prolonged subsocial species. Previous molecular phylogenies have focused on individual subfamilies or clades. Here, we provide a phylogenetic inference with broadened sampling from 37 genera and eight of the eleven sparassid subfamilies. We increased taxon sampling by including species not previously sequenced and most available data on GenBank of two mitochondrial (COI, 16S rRNA) and two nuclear (H3, 28S rRNA) genes for a total of 262 ingroup taxa and nine outgroup taxa. Divergence dates were estimated using outgroup fossil taxa suggesting the sparassids evolved âˆ¼ 100 mya (stem age), while the clade containing all subfamilies except Sparianthinae evolved âˆ¼ 90 mya (stem age). Using a stochastic map approach with 40 species, this is the first sparassid phylogeny to incorporate extensive biology and life history data. Correlations of life history traits with solitary, subsocial, and prolonged subsocial behavior are examined using the D-test. Sparassid sociality is associated with life history traits that allow developing spiders to remain in their natal retreat longer (e.g., larger permanent retreats, plastered egg sacs, and ontogenetically delayed foraging), but is unrelated to body size or lifespan. Detailed morphological scoring of the endemic Australian subfamily Deleninae contextualizes existing molecular data, including in the Isopeda-Holconia-Isopedella complex. This study supports the monophyly of many major lineages, including for the first time, the Sparianthinae, but indicates multiple clades (Sparassinae and Eusparassinae) are paraphyletic and need further revision.

Huntsmen of the Caribbean: Multiple tests of the GAARlandia hypothesis.

The origin of the Caribbean biota remains debated, but amassing evidence suggests important roles of both dispersal and vicariance events in the colonization the archipelago. The most prominent vicariance hypothesis is colonization over the GAARlandia land bridge that putatively connected the Greater Antilles to South America around 33 mya. This hypothesis has received support from studies of individual lineages, but its main prediction-the simultaneous colonization of multiple lineages during that time window-requires further unambiguous corroboration. Here, we examine the phylogenetic structure of huntsman spiders (Sparassidae) of the Caribbean. Huntsman spiders are appropriate models for this question, as they are expected to be dispersal limited as substrate and foliage dwelling spiders that rarely balloon, yet are found on some volcanic islands, and thus at least some overwater dispersal must have occurred. We focus on the Caribbean endemic Neostasina, but also include Caribbean Olios, for a deeper biogeographical understanding. We use two mitochondrial and four nuclear markers to reconstruct dated phylogenetic trees and to test taxonomic and biogeographic hypotheses. Our analyses strongly support the monophyly of Neostasina and the polyphyly of Olios, with a new clade endemic to the Caribbean. Both Neostasina and Caribbean Olios occur on the Greater and Lesser Antilles and independently colonized the Caribbean around 36-28 mya. Hypothesis testing in BioGeoBEARS suggests a role of the GAARlandia landbridge in the colonization of both clades. The 'Olios-like' clade, in contrast, is restricted to the southern Lesser Antilles and shows a biogeographic history consistent with colonization from S. America, probably within the last 10 my. Thus, many spider lineages on the Greater Antilles seem to have colonized the Caribbean during a relatively short time span approximately coinciding with the proposed timing of GAARlandia. The synchronous colonization of multiple lineages suggests a temporary land connection. However, the main problem in concluding synchronous events across lineages in this study, as in most others, is the ambiguity in chronogram analyses meaning that many different patterns can be 'consistent' with GAARlandia, thus potentially providing a false positive result. Broad comparative biogeographical studies such as the CarBio project will offer the best opportunity to multiply test shared biogeographic patterns among independent lineages. The current paper contributes evidence from multiple lineages that will contribute to this synthesis.

An update on the huntsman spider genus Uaiuara Rheims, 2013 (Araneae, Sparassidae, Sparianthinae).

The genus Uaiuara Rheims is revisited. A new species is described, based on females from Iquitos, Peru and new distribution records for Uaiuara amazonica (Simon, 1880) and U. quyguaba Rheims, 2013 are provided. In addition, an identification key and updated distribution maps are provided for all species.

A new genus of huntsman spiders (Araneae, Sparassidae, Sparianthinae) from the Neotropical region.

Uaiuara gen. nov. is described to include Sparianthis amazonica Simon from Brazil, Sparianthis barroana Chamberlin from Panama, and five new species, namely: Uaiuara quyguaba sp. nov. from the states of Amazonas, Pará and Amapá; Uaiuara ope sp. nov. from Acre and Uaiuara jirau sp. nov. from Rondônia, all in northern Brazil, Uaiuara palenque sp. nov. from Ecuador and Uaiuara dianae sp. nov. from Peru. The genus is easily distinguished from the remaining Neotropical Sparianthinae by the very recurved anterior eye row, the large number of ventral spines on tibiae of legs I-II, the retrolateral grove on the male palpal cymbium and the convoluted duct system of the female vulva. In addition, the female of S. barroana and the male of S. amazonica are described for the first time. The latter species is newly recorded from Colombia, Suriname, Ecuador and Bolivia.

Nativus gen. nov., a new huntsman spider genus from South America (Araneae: Sparassidae: Heteropodinae).

In this paper, the new genus, Nativus gen. nov. is proposed to include the type species, Nativus tupana sp. nov. () from Brazil and nine new species: N. carare sp. nov. (), N. hazzii sp. nov. (), N. janai sp. nov. (), N. nocaima sp. nov. (), N. tawu sp. nov. () and N. yurupari sp. nov. () from Colombia, N. juruti sp. nov. () and N. mariua sp. nov. () from Brazil, and N. napo sp. nov. () from Peru. The genus is placed in the subfamily Heteropodinae due to the presence of intermarginal denticles on the chelicerae, a long-toothed female palpal claw, two recurved eye rows with median eyes smaller than laterals, and only one lateral spine on each side of metatarsi III, as well as a ventral branch on the RTA (vRTA) in the male palp. Within Heteropodinae, it seems to be more closely related to Guadana Rheims and Sparianthina Banks due to the presence of intermarginal denticles along the entire cheliceral groove and a dorsal tegular apophysis (DTA) in the male palp. All species are described and illustrated. An identification key and distribution maps are provided for all species of the genus.

Molecular, morphological, and life history data to support research of huntsman spiders (Araneae: Sparassidae).

This article on biodiversity and life history data in huntsman spiders (Araneae: Sparassidae) includes the following: molecular data deposited on GenBank for 72 individuals representing 27 species in seven subfamilies, life history and behavioral data on 40 huntsman species from over two decades of observations, and morphological data for 26 species in the subfamily Deleninae as well as an undescribed representative of the genus Damastes. Molecular data include the nuclear genes histone H3 (H3) and 28S ribosomal RNA (28S rRNA), mitochondrial genes cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) were sequenced via Sanger sequencing by J.A. Gorneau. Life history data were collected in the field and in the lab by L.S. Rayor and include data on age at sexual maturity, lifespan, social classification, egg sac shape, how the egg sac is attached or carried, retreat location, retreat modification, retreat size relative to adult female body size, approximate mean body mass, and mean cephalothorax width. Morphological data on Deleninae and one Damastes sp. were scored by C.A. Rheims and includes information on the following characters: prosoma (fovea, posterior eye row shape (PER), anterior median eye (AME) diameter, AME-AME and PME-PME interdistances), male palp (embolic sclerite (PS), conductor sclerotized base (SB), tegular apophysis (TA), flange (f)) and female epigyne and vulva (epigynal sclerite (ES), spermathecal sacs (SS)). These data were used to clarify relationships among the Australian endemic Deleninae, as well as global patterns in sparassid evolution. The data demonstrate phylogenetic patterns in life history, social evolution, and natural history among the sparassids. These data contribute to future comparative research on sparassid systematics, evolution, and behavior. This data article complements a research article published in Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution [1].

New species and records of the genus Extraordinarius Rheims, 2019 (Araneae: Sparassidae: Sparianthinae).

In this paper, I revisit the genus Extraordinarius Rheims. I describe the female of E. klausmeinei Rheims and two new species: E. alicecooperi spec. nov. (♂♀) from Espírito Santo and E. angusyoungi spec. nov. (♀) from Rio de Janeiro, all in southeastern Brazil. In addition, I include an identification key for all species of the genus, a new record for E. brucedickinsoni Rheims and an updated distribution map for the genus.

Revalidation of the genus Sadala Simon, 1880 with the description of a new genus of Neotropical huntsman spiders (Araneae, Sparassidae).

The genus Sadala Simon, 1880 is revalidated to include the here designated type species, S. keyserlingi Simon, 1880, as well as S. nigristernis Simon, 1880, S. punicea Simon, 1880, S. rufa (Keyserling, 1880) and S. velox Simon, 1880, all comb. rest. The males of S. punicea and S. rufa and four new species are described: S. kaiabi spec. nov. (), from Brazil, S. nanay spec. nov. () and S. yuyapichis spec. nov. () from Peru, and S. tabatinga spec. nov. () from Brazil and Colombia. The genus Meri gen. nov. is described to include the type species, M. pictitarsis (Simon, 1880), as well as M. mathani (Simon, 1880), M. formosus (Banks, 1929), M. santivincenti (Simon, 1898), and M. trinitatis (Strand, 1916), all comb. nov. transferred here from the genus Olios Walckenaer, 1837. The male of M. trinitatis comb. nov. and twenty new species are described: M. abuna spec. nov. (), from Ecuador, Brazil and Peru; M. aparia spec. nov. (), from Peru, M. arraijan spec. nov. () from Panama and Colombia; M. carabobo spec. nov. (), M. guri spec. nov. (), M. yaciba spec. nov. (), from Venezuela; M. conduri spec. nov. (), M. manaos spec. nov. (), M. munduruku spec. nov. (), M. paiaia spec. nov. (), M. quinari spec. nov. (), M. rivai spec. nov. (), M. tambor spec. nov. (), M. tapirapeco spec. nov. (), from Brazil; M. jaraua spec. nov. (), from Venezuela, French Guiana, Surinam, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil; M. kaieteur spec. nov. () from Venezuela and Guyana; M. martinique spec. nov. (), from Martinique, Guadelupe and Dominica; M. tumatumari spec. nov. () from Guyana, M. vanini spec. nov. from Brazil and Peru; and M. zeteki spec. nov. () from Panama. Olios orchiticus Mello-Leito, 1930 is considered a junior synonym of M. trinitatis comb. nov. Both genera and species are described and illustrated. Identification keys and updated distribution maps are provided.

New taxonomic considerations in the spitting spider family Scytodidae (Arachnida: Araneae).

New taxonomic considerations in the spitting spider family Scytodidae Blackwall, 1864 are proposed. Here, the family is considered to include two subfamilies: Scytodinae Blackwall, 1864, comprising the genera Scytodes Latreille, 1804 and Dictis L. Koch, 1872, and Scyloxinae subfam. n., comprising the genera Scyloxes Dunin, 1992 and Stedocys Ono, 1995. Scytodes arwa Rheims, Brescovit van Harten, 2006 is considered a senior synonym of Scytodes makeda Rheims, Brescovit van Harten, 2006 syn. n. and the male of Scytodes kumonga Zamani Marusik, 2020 is described for the first time, with the species being newly recorded from Oman. Observations on the natural history of S. kumonga were made using specimens raised to maturity from egg-sacs produced by females collected in Oman. The monotypic genus Soeuria Saaristo, 1997 is synonymized with Dictis, hence the transfer of its type species, D. soeur (Saaristo, 1997) comb. n. to this genus. Dictis thailandica Dankittipakul Singtripop, 2010 is considered incertae sedis, and Dictis striatipes L. Koch, 1872 is considered a senior synonym of Dictis lugubris Thorell, 1887 syn. n., Scytodes bilqis Rheims, Brescovit van Harten syn. n., Dictis denticulata Dankittipakul Singtripop, 2010 syn. n., Dictis ganeshi Keswani, 2015 syn. n. and D. mumbaiensis Ahmed, Satan, Khalap Mohan, 2015 syn. n., and the species is newly reported from several countries. Scyloxes magna (Bristowe, 1952) comb. n. and Scyloxes zhaoi (Wu Li, 2017) comb. n. are transferred to Scyloxes from Scytodes and Stedocys, respectively.

The Neotropical genera Guadana Rheims, 2010 and Sparianthina Banks, 1929 (Araneae: Sparassidae: Heteropodinae).

The Neotropical genera Guadana Rheims, 2010a and Sparianthina Banks, 1929 are revised. Based on re-interpreted and newly observed characters, updated diagnoses are given for each genus. Eight new species are described, six in Guadana: G. alpahuayo sp. n. (♂♀) and G. ucayali sp. n. (♂), from Peru; G. amendoim sp. n. (♀), G. mapia sp. n. and G. muirpinima sp. n. (♀), from Brazil; G. arawak sp. n. (♂), from French Guiana, and two in Sparianthina: S. boyaca sp. n. (♀) from Colombia and S. soca sp. n. from Trinidad Tobago. Sparianthina rufescens (Mello-Leito, 1940) is considered incertae sedis. All new species are illustrated and photographed. Identification keys for both genera including comparative detailed illustrations of male and female characters, as well as updated distribution maps for all known species are provided.

Revision of the spider genus Sparianthis Simon, 1880 (Araneae, Sparassidae, Sparianthinae).

The genus Sparianthis Simon is revised. Pseudosparianthis Simon and Sampaiosia Mello-Leitão are considered junior synonyms of Sparianthis and thus, seven new combinations are proposed: S. accentuata (Caporiacco) comb. nov., S. chickeringi (Gerstch) comb. nov., S. fusca (Simon) comb. nov., S. megalopalpa (Caporiacco) comb. nov., S. picta (Simon) comb. nov. and S. ravida (Simon) comb. nov. are transferred from Pseudosparianthis and S. crulsi (Mello-Leitão) comb. nov. from Sampaiosia. Two additional new combinations are proposed: Decaphora ambigua (Caporiacco) comb. nov. and Uaiuara jayuyae (Petrunkevitch) comb. nov. are transferred from Pseudosparianthis and, together with S. fusca, are considered nomina dubia. Sparianthis accentuata is considered incertae sedis. The male of S. chickeringi and the female of S. crulsi are described for the first time and six new species are described: S. beebei sp. nov. (♂♀) from Trinidad and S. caracarai sp. nov. (♂♀) from Roraima, S. boraris sp. nov. (♂♀) and S. juruti sp. nov. (♂♀) from Pará, and S. humaita sp. nov. (♂♀) and S. juazeiro sp. nov. (♀) from Acre, all in Brazil. All species are redescribed and illustrated. In addition, an identification key and updated distribution maps for all species of the genus are included.

An overview of the African genera of Prodidominae spiders: descriptions and remarks (Araneae: Gnaphosidae).

A taxonomic revision of exclusively African genera of Prodidominae (Gnaphosidae), with the exception of Theuma, is provided. Austrodomus Lawrence, 1947 is revised. The type species A. zuluensis Lawrence, 1947 is redescribed, the male of A. scaber (Purcell, 1904) is described for the first time, and one new species, A. gamsberg sp. nov. (♂), is described from Namibia. Katumbea Cooke, 1964 is considered a junior synonym of Austrodomus and A. oxoniensis (Cooke, 1964) comb. nov. from Tanzania is redescribed. Eleleis Simon, 1893 is revised. The type species, E. crinita Simon, 1893, is redescribed and eight new species are described: E. limpopo sp. nov. (♂♀) from South Africa and Zambia, E. okavango sp. nov. (♂♀) from Botswana and Namibia, E. etosha sp. nov. (♂♀), E. himba sp. nov. (♂) and E. luderitz sp. nov. (♀) from Namibia, E. leleupi sp. nov. (♂) and E. haddadi sp. nov. (♀) from South Africa, and E. solitaria sp. nov. (♀) from Cape Verde. Purcelliana Cooke, 1964 is revised. The type species, P. problematica Cooke, 1964, is redescribed and three new species are described: P. kamaseb sp. nov. (♂♀) and P. khabus sp. nov. (♂♀) from Namibia, and P. cederbergensis sp. nov. (♂) from South Africa. Plutonodomus Cooke, 1964 is redescribed based solely on the type species, P. kungwensis Cooke, 1964. In addition, three new genera are described: Kikongo gen. nov., to include K. ruwenzori sp. nov. (♂♀) and K. buta sp. nov. (♂♀) from the Democratic Republic of the Congo (D.R. Congo), and K. rutshuru sp. nov. (♂♀) from D.R. Congo and Kenya; Kituba gen. nov., to include K. mayombensis sp. nov. (♂♀) and K. langalanga sp. nov. (♀) from D.R. Congo; and Yoruba gen. nov., to include Y. ibadanus sp. nov. (♂♀) from Nigeria and Y. toubensis sp. nov. (♂♀) from Ivory Coast. Distribution maps are provided for the species discussed in this study and an identification key is provided for all twelve genera of Prodidominae recorded in Africa.

Extraordinarius gen. nov., a new genus of Sparianthinae spiders (Araneae: Sparassidae) from southeastern Brazil.

A new genus of Sparianthinae, Extraordinarius gen. nov., is proposed to include the type species, Extraordinarius andrematosi sp. nov. (♂♀), from São Paulo, E. brucedickinsoni sp. nov. (♂♀), from Minas Gerais and Espírito Santo, and E. klausmeinei sp. nov. (♂) and E. rickalleni sp. nov. (♂♀), from Espírito Santo. The genus is remarkable in that it is the only Neotropical genus of Sparianthinae with a large, sclerotized, Z-shaped conductor in the male palp and represents the southernmost record for the subfamily in the region. A distribution map is provided for all known species of the genus.

How not to delimit taxa: a critique on a recently proposed "pragmatic classification" of jumping spiders (Arthropoda: Arachnida: Araneae: Salticidae).

Modern taxonomy and systematics profit from an invaluable tool that has been developed in the course of more than a century by intense discussions and negotiations of generations of zoologists and palaeontologists: The International Code of Zoological Nomenclature (ICZN 1999, 2012). The main goal of the Code is "to promote stability and universality in the scientific names of animals and to ensure that the name of each taxon is unique and distinct" (Melville 1995, ICZN 1999: 2). The provisions of the Code are generally accepted and thoroughly applied by the scientific community. Exceptions, such as the one described below, are very rare.

Taxonomic revision of the genus Gephyrellula Strand, 1932 (Arachnida, Araneae, Philodromidae).

Spiders of the family Philodromidae are free-living active predators, with laterigrade legs, eyes without tubercles, two tarsal claws and claw tufts. Although very common in zoological collections, their systematics is poorly known, especially in the Neotropics, and their specimens are usually identified only at family level. In this paper, the genus Gephyrellula Strand, 1932 is revised and the type species, G. violacea (Mello-Leitão, 1918) is redescribed and illustrated. Gephyrellula paulistana (Soares, 1943) is considered a junior synonym of G. violacea and thus, the genus becomes monotypic. In addition, the geographical distribution is extended and an updated distribution map is provided.

Description of Paracymbiomma gen. nov., a new genus of prodidomid spiders from the Neotropical region (Araneae: Prodidomidae) including a new troglobite species.

Paracymbiomma gen. nov. is proposed to include six new species from Brazil: P. angelim sp. nov. (♂ ♀) from São Paulo, P. carajas sp. nov. (♂ ♀), P. bocaina sp. nov. (♂ ♀) and P. caecus sp. nov. (♂ ♀) from Pará, P. doisirmaos sp. nov. (♂) from Pernambuco and P. pauferrense sp. nov. (♂) from Paraíba. The genus is included in Theuminae by having the sternum with posterior region without rebordered margins, strongly protruding between coxae IV and with numerous long and erect setae, and by the vulva with highly convoluted ducts. It can be distinguished from the other members of the subfamily by the male palp with paracymbium, single RTA, bulb with sclerotized conductor and partly sclerotized median apophysis, and by the female epigyne with posteromedian atrium and sclerotized margin, and vulva with copulatory ducts long, strongly convoluted laterally with proximal part (closest to copulatory openings) translucent. Paracymbiomma carajas sp. nov., P. bocaina sp. nov. and P. caecus sp. nov. occur exclusively in ferruginous caves. We provide a discussion on specializations and adaptations of Paracymbiomma gen. nov. and other species of Prodidomidae to the subterranean environment.

Curicaberis, a new genus of Sparassidae from North and Central America (Araneae, Sparassidae, Sparassinae).

The genus Curicaberis gen. nov. is described to include the type species, Curicaberis ferrugineus (C.L. Koch, 1836) comb. nov., and eight other species transferred from Olios Walckenaer, 1837: C. abnormis (Keyserling, 1884) comb. nov., C. annulatus (F.O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1900) comb. nov., C. bibranchiatus (Fox, 1937) comb. nov., C. ensiger (F.O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1900) comb. nov., C. ferrugineus (C.L. Koch, 1836) comb. nov., C. luctuosus (Banks, 1898) comb. nov., C. minax (O. Pickard-Cambridge,1896) comb. nov., C. manifestus (O. Pickard-Cambridge, 1890) comb. nov., and C. peninsulanus (Banks, 1898) comb. nov.. All species are redescribed and illustrated. The males of C. ferrugineus comb. nov. and C. luctuosus comb. nov., and the female of C. annulatus comb. nov. are described and illustrated for the first time. Twenty-three new species are described: C. azul sp. nov. (♂) from Veracruz, C. catarinas sp. nov. (♀) from Chihuahua, C. chamela sp. nov. (♂ and ♀), C. eberhardi sp. nov. (♂ and ♀), C. jalisco sp. nov. (♂ and ♀), and C. urquizai sp. nov. (♂ and ♀) from Jalisco, C. culiacan sp. nov. (♂) from Sinaloa, C. cuyutlan sp. nov. (♂) from Colima, C. durango sp. nov. (♂) from Durango, C. elpunto sp. nov. (♂ and ♀), C. sanpedrito sp. nov. (♂ and ♀), C. tortugero sp. nov. (♀), C. yerba sp. nov. (♀) and C. zapotec sp. nov. (♂) from Oaxaca, C. huitiupan sp. nov. (♂), from Chiapas, C. pedregal sp. nov. (♂) from Distrito Federal, C. potosi sp. nov. (♀) from San Luis Potosí, C. puebla sp. nov. (♀) from Puebla, C. tepic sp. nov. (♀) from Nayarit, and C. mitla sp. nov. (♂ and ♀) from Veracruz and Oaxaca, C. chiapas sp. nov. (♂ and ♀) from Chiapas and Tabasco, all in Mexico, C. granada sp. nov. (♂ and ♀) from Granada and Manágua in Nicaragua and Guanacaste in Costa Rica, and C. bagaces sp. nov. (♀), from Guanacaste, Costa Rica. An identification key and distribution maps are provided for all known species.