Revisiting evolutionary relationships of Antrodiaetus (Araneae, Mygalomorphae, Antrodiaetidae) using phylogenomics; implications for species diversity and biogeography of a persistent Holarctic lineage

Abstract

Antrodiaetus is a lineage of mygalomorph spider (Mygalomorphae: Antrodiaetidae) that has persisted since the late Cretaceous and has a disjunct Holarctic distribution and strong morphological conservatism. These folding-door spiders possess a life history (i.e., limited dispersal, conserved environmental niche) that closely ties their evolution to geology. This study produces a robust, well-supported phylogenomic inference of all currently recognized Antrodiaetus species using UCEs (Ultraconserved Elements), corroborates previous biogeographical hypotheses, and proposes new hypotheses about diversification patterns. We also confirm that previously suspected cryptic diversity within A. pacificus is underestimated, as this nominal species comprises multiple divergent and cryptic lineages. Our phylogeny now serves as a foundation for understanding Antrodiaetus species relationships, biogeography, and speciation.

Keywords: Cryptic species; Holarctic; Morphological conservatism; Ultraconserved Elements.