A tangle of forms and phylogeny: Extensive morphological homoplasy and molecular clock heterogeneity in Bonnetina and related tarantulas.

摘要: Tarantula spider systematics has long been considered problematic. Species diagnosis and phylogenetic hypotheses have historically relied on morphological features, which are known to be relatively conserved and/or highly homoplastic across the family. Morphology-based attempts clarify phylogeny of diverse New World Theraphosinae, only moderately successful, time-frame tarantulas' evolution is nearly terra incognita. Here we present a molecular analysis Theraphosinae genus Bonnetina related lineages, employing one mitochondrial (COI) five nuclear (ITS1, EF1G, MID1IP1, MRPL44, I3568) loci. We also perform ancestral state reconstruction newly formulated data matrix. Our includes 47 species placed in 17 genera other undetermined lineages. obtained well resolved supported topologies. COI EF1G substitution rates were much lower than values generally accepted for mygalomorph evolution, with substantial rate heterogeneity among The origin was dated during Late Cretaceous, followed by rapid diversification into three recently proposed tribes. North Central American Hapalopini (including Bonnetina) form monophyletic group that likely originated Oligocene dispersing ancestor from then isolated South America. A clade all but estimated early Miocene sister two morphologically divergent undescribed species. Morphological homoplasy extensive tree. features diagnose homoplastic, combination still define genus. Finally, establish groups within Bonnetina. results challenge reliability characters indicate caution when interpreting Theraphosidae supra-specific classification absence solid framework. They question dependability universal calibrate analyses Mygalomorphae.