Molecular, morphological, and life history data to support research of huntsman spiders (Araneae: Sparassidae)

Author(s)

Gorneau, Jacob A. ; Rayor, Linda S. ; Rheims, Cristina A. ; Moreau, Corrie S.

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: DATA IN BRIEF; v. 46, p. 14-pg., 2023-02-01.

Abstract

This article on biodiversity and life history data in huntsman spiders (Araneae: Sparassidae) includes the following: molec-ular data deposited on GenBank for 72 individuals represent-ing 27 species in seven subfamilies, life history and behav-ioral data on 40 huntsman species from over two decades of observations, and morphological data for 26 species in the subfamily Deleninae as well as an undescribed representa-tive of the genus Damastes. Molecular data include the nu-clear genes histone H3 (H3) and 28S ribosomal RNA (28S rRNA), mitochondrial genes cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) were sequenced via Sanger sequencing by J.A. Gorneau. Life history data were collected in the field and in the lab by L.S. Rayor and in-clude data on age at sexual maturity, lifespan, social classi-fication, egg sac shape, how the egg sac is attached or car-ried, retreat location, retreat modification, retreat size rela-tive to adult female body size, approximate mean body mass, and mean cephalothorax width. Morphological data on De-leninae and one Damastes sp. were scored by C.A. Rheims and includes information on the following characters: pro -soma (fovea, posterior eye row shape (PER), anterior me-dian eye (AME) diameter, AME-AME and PME-PME interdis-tances), male palp (embolic sclerite (PS), conductor sclero-tized base (SB), tegular apophysis (TA), flange (f)) and fe-male epigyne and vulva (epigynal sclerite (ES), spermathe-cal sacs (SS)). These data were used to clarify relationships among the Australian endemic Deleninae, as well as global patterns in sparassid evolution. The data demonstrate phy-logenetic patterns in life history, social evolution, and nat-ural history among the sparassids. These data contribute to future comparative research on sparassid systematics, evolu-tion, and behavior. This data article complements a research article published in Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution [1] .(c) 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/18982-0 - Sistematics of the subfamily Sparianthinae Simon (Arachnida, Araneae, Sparassidae), with emphasis on the Neotropical genera
• Grantee: Cristina Anne Rheims
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 11/18694-3 - Systematics of the family Sparassidae (Arachnida, Araneae) in the Neotropical Region
• Grantee: Cristina Anne Rheims
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants