Theraphosidae phylogeny: relationships of the ‘Ischnocolinae’ genera (Araneae, Mygalomorphae)

Abstract

The mygalomorph spider subfamily ‘Ischnocolinae’ was originally established as a group based on the presence of divided tarsal scopula. Later, the divided condition of the scopula was considered the plesiomorphic state, which could not support the monophyly of ‘Ischnocolinae’. In Raven 1985, the subfamily was considered paraphyletic, pending a phylogenetic analysis to reinvestigate monophyletic groups. This study comprises such a phylogenetic analysis, based on morphological data, that includes representatives of all genera currently included in ‘Ischnocolinae’ as well as representatives of all other nine Theraphosidae subfamilies (Thrigmopoeinae, Ornithoctoninae, Eumenophorinae, Stromatopelminae, Harpactirinae, Selenogyrinae, Theraphosinae, Aviculariinae and Selenocosmiinae). The family Theraphosidae is considered monophyletic and expanded to include three additional genera previously considered as possible Barychelidae, namely B rachionopus (as Harpactirinae), T richopelma and R eichlingia (as Ischnocolinae sensu stricto ) while ‘Ischnocolinae’ as previously defined does not appear as monophyletic. However, two monophyletic groups were defined as subfamilies to include some former ‘Ischnocolinae’ representatives. The first group includes A canthopelma rufescens , T richopelma nitidum , R eichlingia annae , I schnocolus spp., H olothele rondoni , H olothele culebrae and H olothele aff culebrae and is hereby named as Ischnocolinae ( sensu stricto ). The other subgroup comprises S ickius longibulbi , H olothele incei , H olothele aff incei , G uyruita spp., S chismatothele lineata , H emiercus modestus , H olothele colonica and Holothele sp., together established as Schismatothelinae subfam. nov. Several genera included in former ‘Ischnocolinae’ appear as monophyletic ( C atumiri , O ligoxystre , H eterothele , N esiergus , C haetopelma , I schnocolus , G uyruita and P lesiophrictus ). However, the genera H olothele , S chismatothele and H emiercus deserve more attention in order to evaluate their intrarelationships and inclusion of species.