PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF THE GENERA OF THE FAMILY PRODIDOMIDAE SIMON 1884 (ARACHNIDA; ARANEAE)

Abstract

Prodidomidae Simon includes small to median-sized spiders, with two tarsal claws, without cribellum and usually with eight eyes. The family is characterized by having the pyriform gland spigots of the anterior lateral spinnerets greatly elongated and with highly plumose setae. Its distribution covers the Tropical and Subtropical regions of the planet, with the greatest diversity in the Netropical and Afrotropical regions. Prodidomidae is placed within Dionycha, and based on a recent phylogenetic analysis of this group, included in the CTC clade (Claw Tuft Clasper). This group is characterized by having a unique mechanism to move claw tuft setae of the legs. Currently, Prodidomidae includes 309 species in 31 genera and is divided in three subfamilies: Prodidominae Simon, Molycriinae Simon and Theuminae Platnick & Baehr. The monophyly of Molycriinae was tested in a review of the Australian genera. This review confirmed the monophyly of the subfamily, despite using a simple matrix with only eleven characters. Prodidominae and Theuminae were included in a recent phylogenetic analysis of Dionycha, however represented by only two genera of each subfamily. Prodidominae was considered monophyletic and Theuminae paraphyletic. Therefore, the aim of this project is to test the monophyly of Prodidomidae subfamilies and propose a relationship hypothesis between their genera, based on a phylogenetic analysis using morphological data. The genera will be represented, whenever possible by their type species and the subfamilies will be defined based on the results of the analysis.