Taxonomic,Phylogenetic And Biogeographic Study Of The Genus Heteropoda Latreille,1804(Araneae:Sparassidae:Heteropodinae)

The genus Heteropoda Latreille,1804 belongs to subfamily Heteropodinae and is the largest genus of the huntsman spiders.According to the reports,it is widely distributed from tropical to subtropical areas.Up to know,there are 189 species reported in the world.The Heteropoda spiders mainly lived on tree bark,leaf litter,under rocks,in the caves and houses.Because sympatry among species is extensive,mismatches or wrong identifications are common in this genus.Therefore,in this study,we provided the first molecular phylogenetic estimate of Heteropoda spiders.We also estimated the divergence times and biogeographic origin of Heteropoda spiders.The main results are as follows:1.The phylogenetic trees from the two phylogenetic methods(Bayesian inference and maximum likelihood)were highly consistent with relatively high posterior probabilities(PP)and bootstrap values(BS).The monophylies of Heteropoda(PP 1.00,BS 99%)and H.javana–group(PP 1.00,BS 89%)were robustly supported.We established three new species groups based on morphological and molecular characters,and according to the phylogeny,all are well supported: H.amphora–group(PP 1.00,BS 96%),H.helge–group(PP 0.99,BS 87%),H.simplex–group(PP 1.00,BS 100%).These are diagnosed,described and illustrated in detail in the taxonomy part.The male of H.languida,reported for the first time,is highly supported by the molecular results(PP 1.00,BS 96%).2.The results of biogeographic origin and divergence times: according to the result of secondary time-calibrated tree Heteropoda can be divided into two groups: Australia Heteropoda Group(AUHG)and Asia Heteropoda Group(ASHG).Heteropoda is predicted to have originated around 29.8 Ma(95% HPD: 41–18 Ma)in North of Oceania.The AUHG began diversifying in the Oceania about 16.4 Ma.The ASHG is more specious and widespread in Southeast Asia and East Asia.The ASHG began diversifying in the Southeast Asia around 23.4Ma and in the East Asia around 16.1 Ma.Our first molecular phylogeny of Heteropoda provides a tool for comparative analyses and solid base for the future biodiversity and taxonomic work on the genus.At the same time,three new species groups were established by combining the molecular phylogeny and morphological taxonomy: Heteropoda amphora–group nov.,Heteropoda helge–group nov.,and Heteropoda simplex–group nov.: The male of the H.languida was reported for the first time,and three new species were described: Heteropoda papilionaceous sp.nov.,Heteropoda pilata sp.nov.,and Heteropoda semialata sp.nov..Finally,based on molecular phylogenetic geography,the origin,diversifying route of the world Heteropoda spider was discussed.It is speculated that the Heteropoda spider originated in northern Oceania and then spread to Southeast and East Asia through the land bridge.This study not only provides new evidence for the systematic study of the genus Heteropoda in the world,but also sheds light for the study of phylogeography of the Sparassidae.