engleski

Phylogeny of Pholcid spiders (Araneae, Pholcidae)

The spider family Pholcidae comprises a large number of mainly tropical, web-weaving spiders, and is among the most diverse and dominant spider groups in the world. The phylogeny of this family has so far been investigated exclusively using morphological data. Here we present the first molecular data for the family analyzed in a phylogenetic context. Four different gene regions (12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, 28S rRNA) were scored for 32 pholcid and three outgroup taxa. The data were analyzed both for individual genes and combined molecular data, using parsimony, maximum likelihood and Bayesian methods. Some of the phylogenetic hypotheses obtained previously using morphology alone were also supported by our results, some could be discarded with some confidence, and the others need further investigation. The data obtained provide an excellent basis for future investigations of phylogenetic patterns both within the family and among spider families.

phylogeny; spiders; mtDNA

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