Phylogenetic analysis of the subfamily Prodidominae Simon 1884 and taxonomy of African genera (Arachnida; Araneae)

Author(s)

Bruno Vinicius Bastos Rodrigues

• Document type: Doctoral Thesis
• Press: São Paulo.
• Institution: Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Instituto de Biociências (IBIOC/SB)
• Defense date: 2019-01-23

Examining board members

Cristina Anne Rheims; Guilherme Henrique Fernandes de Azevedo; José Paulo Leite Guadanucci; Martín Javier Ramírez

• Advisor: Cristina Anne Rheims

Abstract

Prodidominae was recently reestablished as a subfamily of Gnaphosidae, comprising 315 species distributed in 32 genera. In this study, we conducted a cladistic analysis including 55 species of Prodidominae and 32 species of other Gnaphosidae genera and associated families as an outgroup. The matrix is composed of 282 morphological characters and the data was analyzed under the parsimony criterion, using TNT 1.5. Prodidominae was not recovered as monophyletic. Anagrina appears more related to Leptodrassinae, it is removed from Prodidominae and considered incertae sedis. Cryptotoerithus Rainbow, Molycria Simon, Myandra Simon, Nomindra Platnick & Baher, Wesmaldra Platnick & Baher and Wydundra Platnick & Baher arise as a monophyletic unit, characterized by the presence of ALS extremely elongated situated far in advance of the posterior spinnerets, piriform gland spigots elongated with retractile area and presence of an apical hood in the basal article. Thus, we reestablish Molycriinae as a distinct subfamily within Gnaphosidae, sister to Prodidominae. We redefine the limits of Prodidominae to include the genera Austrodomus Lawrence, Brasilomma Brescovit, Ferreira & Rheims, Caudalia Alayón, Chileomma Platnick, Shadab & Sorkin, Chileuma Platnick, Shadab & Sorkin, Chilongius Platnick, Shadab & Sorkin, Eleleis Simon, Lygromma Simon, Lygrommatoides Strand, Moreno Mello-Leitão, Namundra Platnick & Bird, Neozimiris Simon, Nopyllus Ott, Paracymbiomma Rodrigues, Cizauskas & Rheims, Plutonodomus Cooke, Prodidomus Hentz, Purcelliana Cooke, Theuma Simon, Theumella Strand, Tivodrassus Chamberlin & Ivie, Tricongius Simon, Zimirina Dalmas and Zimiris Simon. Species of these genera share the presence of anterior lateral spinnerets with piriform gland spigots associated with patches of long setae and the presence of a large protrusion between coxae IV with erect setae and unsclerotized margins. In addition, based on the results of the analysis, we propose three new synonymies: Oltacloea Mello-Leitão, 1940 as a junior synonym of Tricongius Simon, 1893, Prodida Dalmas, 1919 as junior synonym of Prodidomus Hentz, 1847 and Katumbea Cooke, 1964 as a junior synonym of Austrodomus Lawrence, 1947. We remove L. ybyguara Rheims & Brescovit from Lygromma and place it as incertae sedis. In addition, we conduct a taxonomic revision of exclusively African genera. Austrodomus Lawrence, Eleleis Simon and Purcelliana Cooke are revised. Austrodomus zuluensis Lawrence, 1947 and A. oxoniensis (Cooke, 1964) are redescribed, the male of A. scaber (Purcell, 1904) is described for the first time and a new species, A. gamsberg sp. nov. (♂️) is proposed from Namibia. Eleleis crinite Simon, 1893 is redescribed and eight new species are proposed, E. Limpopo sp. nov. (♂️♀️) from South Africa and Zambia, E. Okavango sp. nov. (♂️♀️) from Botswana and Namibia E. etosha sp. nov. (♂️♀️), E. himba sp. nov. (♂️) and E. luderitz sp. nov. (♀️) from Namibia, E. leleupis sp. nov. (♂️) and E. haddadi sp. nov. (♀️) from South Africa and E. solitaria sp. nov. (♀️) from Cape Verde. Purcelliana problematica Cooke, 1964 is redescribed and three new species are described, P. kamaseb sp. nov. (♂️♀️) and P. khabus sp. nov. (♂️♀️) from Namibia and P. cederbergis sp. nov. (♂️) from South Africa. Plutonodomus Cooke and Theumella Strand are redescribed based only on their type species, P. kungwensis Cooke, 1964 and T. typical. In addition, based on the results of the cladistic analysis of Prodidominae three new genera are described: Kikongo gen. nov. to include K. Ruwenzori sp. nov. (♂️♀️) and K.buta sp. nov. (♂️♀️) from Congo and K. rutshuru sp. nov. (♂️♀️) from Congo and Kenya; Kituba gen. nov. to include K. mayombensis sp. nov. (♂️♀️) and K. langalanga sp. nov. (♀️) from Congo; and Yoruba gen. nov. to include Y. ibadanus sp. nov. (♂️♀️) from Nigeria and Y. toubensis sp. nov. (♂️♀️) from Ivory Coast. Distribution maps are provided for genera included in this study and an identification key is provided for all thirteen genera of Prodidominae recorded in Africa (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 14/23533-7 - PHYLOGENETIC ANALYSIS OF THE GENERA OF THE FAMILY PRODIDOMIDAE SIMON 1884 (ARACHNIDA; ARANEAE)
• Grantee: Bruno Vinicius Bastos Rodrigues
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate