Advancing the systematics of Araneae: ultraconserved elements phylogenomics demonstrates the non-monophyly of Miturgidae Simon, 1886 and supports the Familial Rank of Systariidae Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001

Posted by
  Advancing the systematics of Araneae: ultraconserved elements phylogenomics demonstrates the non-monophyly of Miturgidae Simon, 1886 and supports the Familial Rank of Systariidae Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001 Abstract The systematic status of the family Miturgidae Simon, 1886 and related subfamilies has long been problematic, primarily due to challenges in interpreting morphological characters and limited molecular sampling. In this study, we reconstruct the phylogeny of Miturgidae using ultraconserved elements and estimate its divergence time. Our results suggest that Systariinae does not belong to Miturgidae, but rather is sister to all other families of the Dionycha B clade. Consequently, we elevate it to family rank as Systariidae Deeleman-Reinhold, 2001 and discuss its morphological synapomorphies. Furthermore, our analyses place Miturgidae as the sister clade to Viridasiidae + Selenopidae under multiple phylogenetic methods. Divergence time estimates indicate an ancient origin of...

Abdominal pattern polymorphism and distribution of the giant golden orb-weaving spider, Nephila pilipes (Fabricius, 1793) (Araneae: Araneidae), in the Philippines

Posted by

 


Abdominal pattern polymorphism and distribution of the giant golden orb-weaving spider, Nephila pilipes (Fabricius, 1793) (Araneae: Araneidae), in the Philippines

Abstract 
The giant golden orb-weaving spider, Nephila pilipes (Fabricius, 1793), is notable for its color polymorphism. Here, we report the pattern polymorphism of this species. A Nephila species with unusual abdominal patterning from the Philippines is confirmed herein as N. pilipes based on its somatic structures and genitalia. The abdominal pattern consists of rows of subquadrate yellow spots on the dorsum, which is distinct from the typical longitudinal yellow stripes in N. pilipes. We provided the distribution of the spotted variant based on citizen science data on the internet, suggesting that this particular variation may be regionally endemic in the Philippines. Keywords: aposematism, arachnids, citizen science, intraspecific variation, Nephilinae. 


Acuña, Darrell & Maglangit, Erl Pfian & Santiago, Myla & Guevarra Jr, Leonardo. (2025). Abdominal pattern polymorphism and distribution of the giant golden orb-weaving spider, Nephila pilipes (Fabricius, 1793) (Araneae: Araneidae), in the Philippines. Philippine Journal of Systematic Biology. 18. AZ-BB. 10.26757/pjsb202418006.