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

  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...

A new tarantula species of the genus Orphnaecus Simon, 1892 (Araneae: Theraphosidae) from Mindanao Island, Philippines

 


A new tarantula species of the genus Orphnaecus Simon, 1892 (Araneae: Theraphosidae) from Mindanao Island, Philippines

The genus Orphnaecus currently comprises three species found in the Philippine islands of Luzon, Polillo, and Dinagat. Orphnaecus mimbilisanensis sp. n. is described based on specimens collected from Mimbilisan Protected Landscape, Misamis Oriental in Mindanao Island, Philippines. The new species is the first Orphnaecus species of the vast mainland Mindanao and is distinguished from all known congeners by its carapace profile, leg, and genital morphology, as well as distribution.

(2025). A new tarantula species of the genus Orphnaecus Simon, 1892 (Araneae: Theraphosidae) from Mindanao Island, Philippines. Far Eastern entomologist. 522. 10.25221/fee.522.2.