Clarifying the phylogenetic placement of Eupoinae Maddison, 2015 (Araneae, Salticidae) with ultra-conserved element data

Abstract

The subfamily Eupoinae Maddison, 2015 is an enigmatic group of minute leaf-litter-dwelling jumping spiders from Southeast Asia. Although previous molecular phylogenetic studies have suggested that it is one of the basal (non-salticine) lineages within jumping spiders, its exact placement remains unclear. In this study, ultra-conserved element data were collected from major salticid lineages to investigate the phylogenetic relationships of all salticid subfamilies, with a special focus on the placement of Eupoinae. The results provide a well-supported phylogeny for jumping spider subfamilies, and suggest a sister relationship of Eupoinae with Spartaeinae Wanless, 1984, a basal lineage of jumping spiders with relatively high species diversity and morphological and behavioural diversity. With the placement of Eupoinae, we have resolved the relationships of all salticid subfamilies, supplying a robust framework for evolutionary studies of jumping spiders.