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Microhabitat change drives diversification in pholcid spiders
Jonas Eberle1, Dimitar Dimitrov2,3,4, Alejandro Valdez-Mondragón5,6
1Alexander Koenig Research Museum of Zoology, Adenauerallee 160, 53113, Bonn, Germany. j.eberle@leibniz-zfmk.de.
BMC Evolutionary Biology
|September 21, 2018
Summary
Microhabitat shifts significantly influence diversification rates in pholcid spiders, challenging previous vertebrate-centric views. This study reveals that leaf- and space-dwelling spiders exhibit higher speciation rates, highlighting microhabitat
Area of Science:
- Evolutionary Biology
- Arachnology
- Phylogenetics
Background:
- Microhabitat changes are recognized as key drivers of diversification, though research has predominantly focused on vertebrates.
- The influence of microhabitat on diversification rates in pholcid spiders (Araneae, Pholcidae) remains understudied.
- This study addresses this gap by examining microhabitat's role in pholcid spider evolution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of microhabitat on diversification rates within pholcid spiders.
- To construct the most comprehensive molecular phylogeny of pholcid spiders to date.
- To analyze ancestral microhabitat use and its correlation with speciation rates.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic analysis using three nuclear and three mitochondrial DNA loci.
- Inclusion of 600 pholcid spider species, representing over 85% of described genera.
- Diversification analyses framework applied to the constructed molecular phylogeny.
Main Results:
- Frequent evolutionary transitions in microhabitat use were identified among pholcid spiders.
- Pholcinae subfamily showed numerous shifts between near-ground and arboreal (leaf) habitats.
- Taxa inhabiting leaves and large sheltered spaces exhibited higher diversification rates compared to ground-dwelling taxa, with significant shifts in speciation rates observed.
Conclusions:
- The study provides a robust molecular phylogeny for pholcid spiders, serving as a foundation for future research.
- Diversification analyses strongly support microhabitat as a significant factor shaping diversification patterns in pholcid spiders.
- Findings contribute to understanding the evolutionary ecology of invertebrates and the drivers of biodiversity.
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