Molecular systematics of sclerosomatid harvestmen (Opiliones, Phalangioidea, Sclerosomatidae): geography is better than taxonomy in predicting phylogeny |
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Authors: | Hedin Marshal Tsurusaki Nobuo Macías-Ordóñez Rogelio Shultz Jeffrey W |
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Institution: | a Department of Biology, San Diego State University, San Diego, CA 92182-4614, USA b Laboratory of Biology, Faculty of Regional Sciences, Tottori University, Tottori 680-8551, Japan c Red de Biología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología A.C., Xalapa, Veracruz 91070, Mexico d Department of Entomology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20742, USA |
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Abstract: | Phylogenetic relationships within the Sclerosomatidae, the largest family of harvestmen, are explored using molecular data from four nuclear genes (28S and 18S rRNA, Histone 3 and Elongation factor-1α) and two mitochondrial gene regions (COI-COII, 16S and 12S rRNA). The taxon sample includes representative species from all families in Phalangioidea and all subfamilies of Sclerosomatidae (Gagrellinae, Gyinae, Leiobuninae, Sclerosomatinae). Our results solve several major taxonomic problems, including placement of Gyinae sensu stricto in Phalangiidae, the monophyly of the Metopilio group and its exclusion from Sclerosomatidae, and reaffirmation of the familial rank of Protolophidae. However, most major groups of sclerosomatids (Leiobuninae, Gagrellinae, Leiobunum, Nelima) are recovered as polyphyletic, although with a phylogenetic structure suggesting a strong association between geography and monophyly as well as notable morphological convergence in traditional diagnostic characters. Phylogenetic affinities between biotas of the New World and Asian tropics, as well as between temperate North American and East Asia, suggest that sclerosmatid historical biogeography may conform with the Boreotropic Concept. Finally, we discuss how the many problems that remain in sclerosomatid systematics might be addressed. |
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Keywords: | Morphological homoplasy Boreotropic Concept Biogeography Phylogenetics Arachnida |
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