Phylogenetic corroboration of superfamily Lycosoidae spiders (Araneae) as inferred from partial mitochondrial 12S and 16S ribosomal DNA sequences

The genetic variations of two cribellate spider families, the Psechridae and Uloboridae, plus ecribellate spider families within the Araneomorphae, were examined by analyzing their partial mitochondrial 12S and 16S rDNA sequences, based on which phylogenetic closeness was tested. Using the Hexathelidae (Macrothele holsti) as an outgroup, the phylogenetic relationships of Lycosoidea superfamily spiders were investigated. The results indicate that cribellate spiders are polyphyletic. The reconstructed tree based on both maximum parsimony and neighbor joining analyses clearly demonstrates that the cribellate spider, Psechridae, is a member of the Lycosoidea clade that is comprised of the Lycosidae, Pisauridae, and Oxyopidae. The study also reaffirms that the cribellate funnel weavers, Psechridae, and orb weavers, Uloboridae, are two distinct lineages. However, the topology within the Lycosoidea clade from our analysis differs from that as inferred by morphological, ecological, and behavioral characteristics.