Phylogeny and Systematic Position of Opiliones: A Combined Analysis of Chelicerate Relationships Using Morphological and Molecular Data

摘要: The ordinal level phylogeny of the Arachnida and suprafamilial Opiliones were studied on basis a combined analysis 253 morphological characters, complete sequence 18S rRNA gene, D3 region 28S gene. Molecular data collected for 63 terminal taxa. Morphological 35 exemplar taxa Opiliones, but groundplans applied to some remaining chelicerate groups. Six extinct terminals, including Paleozoic scorpions, are scored characters. analyzed using strict parsimony matrix via direct optimization molecular matrices. A sensitivity 15 parameter sets was undertaken, character congruence used as optimality criterion choose among competing hypotheses. results obtained unstable high-level relationships (except Tetrapulmonata, Pedipalpi, Camarostomata), sister group is not clearly established, although monophyly Dromopoda supported under many sets. However, internal robust choice allows discarding previous hypotheses opilionid such “Cyphopalpatores” or “Palpatores.” topology congruent with hypothesis “Palpatores” paraphyly follows: (Cyphophthalmi (Eupnoi (Dyspnoi + Laniatores))). Resolution within Eupnoi, Dyspnoi, Laniatores (the latter two united Dyspnolaniatores nov.) also stable superfamily level, permitting new classification system Opiliones.