Multilocus genetic and morphological phylogenetic analysis reveals a radiation of shiny South Asian jumping spiders (Araneae, Salticidae)

Abstract

This study presents a systematic revision of South Asian members of the Tribe Chrysillini Simon, 1901. Genetic and morphological variations were analysed of a “similar-looking” group of species that were initially identified as members of the jumping spider generaChrysillaThorell, 1887 andPhintellaStrand, in Bösenberg and Strand 1906 to determine their phylogenetic relationships. Results suggest that the assessed morphospecies complex constitute of three evolutionary lineages, two previously unrecognised, which are described and diagnosed as two new genera:Phintelloidesgen. n.andProszynskiagen. n.The third lineage,Phintella, is sister to these proposed genera. The following new species are described:Phintelloidesalboreasp. n.,P.brunnesp. n.,P.flavovirisp. n.,P.flavumisp. n.,P.orbisasp. n.,Phintellaargenteasp. n., andP.jaleelisp. n.Sri Lanka is rich in biodiversity but currently has one of the highest rates of deforestation. Lack of clarity on diversity and distribution of the islands’ biodiversity can lead to underestimations during threat assessments and thus downgrading of conservation needs of individual species.

Jumping spiders of the genus Phintelloides from India, with the description of a new species (Araneae: Salticidae: Chrysillini)

“…Besides, the quite short embolus of the P. manipur sp. nov. holotype presumably corresponds with a relatively short insemination ducts in the conspecifi c female, as it can be seen in P. brunne (see Kanesharatnam & Benjamin, 2019: fi gs 10 G-H, 11A-D). The epigyne of P. singhi comb.…”

“…Spine positions are as follows: prolateral, dorsal, retrolateral and ventral. Terminology follows Kanesharatnam & Benjamin (2019). All measurements are in millimetres.…”

“…The species, however, more closely resembles members of the genus Phintelloides. The abdomen is devoid of any stripe or pattern like in P. fl avoviri Kanesharatnam & Benjamin, 2019 and P. orbisa Kanesharatnam & Benjamin, 2019, and the epigyne moreover strongly resembles that of P. orbisa (Monga, Singh & Sadana, 1989 Remarks: This species was described from Maharashtra State, from the male holotype only. It was originally placed in Cosmophasis due to resemblance in palp morphology.…”

“…The chrysilline genus Phintelloides was recently established by Kanesharatnam & Benjamin in 2019, with Chrysilla jesudasi (Caleb & Mathai, 2014) as its type species. Currently, the genus is represented by seven valid species.…”

The complete mitochondrial genome and phylogenetic analysis of Phintella cavaleriei (Araneae: Salticidae)

“…The jumping spider Phintella cavaleriei belongs to the family of Salticidae, which includes 6329 described species in 659 genera (Wheeler et al 2017;Kanesharatnam and Benjamin 2019;World Spider Catalog 2021). Phintella cavaleriei is an important predator of many agricultural pests and mainly distributed in China and Korea (Cui et al 2012;Kim and Lee 2014).…”