Invertebrate Systematics

Invertebrate Systematics publishes significant contributions and reviews on the systematics, phylogeny and biogeography of all invertebrate taxa. Read more about the journalMore

Editor-in-Chief: Gonzalo Giribet

Current Issue

Invertebrate Systematics

Volume 31 Number 4 2017

IS16050Testing species delimitation with larval morphology: scanning electron microscopy analysis of protonymphon larvae of two closely related sea spiders, Pallenopsis patagonica (Hoek) and Pallenopsis yepayekae Weis

Jeremy Hübner, Philipp Wagner, Tobias Lehmann and Roland R. Melzer

pp. 363-374

Protonymphon larvae of numerous sea spiders have as yet not been described, and therefore it is not clear whether their sets of characters allow for differential diagnoses. Using the resolving power of scanning electron microscopy, our analysis of protonymphons of two closely related species of Pallenopsis reveals various species-specific larval characters. Protonymphon features are thus significant in the context of species delimitation and can be used as idependent sets of characters in addition to adult morphology and DNA sequences.

IS16073New Australian Paronellidae (Collembola) reveal anomalies in existing tribal diagnoses

Feng Zhang, Yitong Ma and Penelope Greenslade

pp. 375-393

Scaled Zhuqinia jingwanae, gen. & sp. nov. discovered from Australian Snowy Mountain range cannot be assigned to any tribes of Paronellinae (Collembola), but is strikingly similar to an unscaled genus Paronellides. These findings strongly question the current higher classification of Paronellidae, particularly tribal division based on body scales of independent origins. The present study improves our understanding of systematics of Paronellidae, as well as Entomobryoidea.

IS16089Mitochondrial and chemical profiles reveal a new genus and species of Neotropical termite with snapping soldiers, Palmitermes impostor (Termitidae : Termitinae)

Simon Hellemans, Thomas Bourguignon, Pavlína Kyjaková, Robert Hanus and Yves Roisin

pp. 394-405

We describe a new species of Neotropical termite whose soldier closely resembles Termes species. However, worker anatomy as well as mitochondrial DNA and chemical analyses revealed that this species should be placed in a new genus, sister to Cavitermes. Our study highlights the importance of using an integrative taxonomic approach to describe new taxa. Photo credits: The Authors.

IS16052The systematics of land crabs of the genus Gecarcoidea and recognition of a pseudocryptic species, G. humei, from the eastern Indian Ocean (Crustacea : Decapoda : Gecarcinidae)

Joelle C. Y. Lai, Hsi-Te Shih and Peter K. L. Ng

pp. 406-426

Christmas Island has long fascinated researchers and visitors alike owing to the mass migration phenomenon of its endemic Gecarcoidea natalis. Two species known from the Indian and Pacific oceans (G. humei and G. lalandii, respectively) also exist on Christmas Island. The findings suggest that Christmas Island sit at a distinct biogeographic confluence between the two oceans, with factors influencing the creation of endemic fauna on the island. Photograph by H. H. Tan.

IS17005A molecular phylogeny of the Palaearctic and Oriental members of the tribe Boarmiini (Lepidoptera : Geometridae : Ennominae)

Nan Jiang, Xinxin Li, Axel Hausmann, Rui Cheng, Dayong Xue and Hongxiang Han

pp. 427-441

Boarmiini are an important group of Geometrid moths with a high number of species and distributed worldwide. The aim of our work is to reconstruct the first molecular phylogeny of the Palaearctic and Oriental members of Boarmiini, and infer the relationships among tribes within the ‘boarmiine’ lineage. Our results will provide insight into the evolutionary history of Boarmiini species.

IS16074Cladistic analysis supports the monophyly of the Neotropical crab spider genus Epicadus and its senior synonymy over Tobias (Araneae : Thomisidae)

Miguel Machado, Renato A. Teixeira and Arno A. Lise

pp. 442-455

Some Neotropical crab-spiders show vivid body coloration, whereas other species are darker and cryptic. Herein, we present an evolutive hypothesis that shows the intrinsic and paraphyletic relationship between spiders of the genera Epicadus and Tobias. Our results justify taxonomic changes regarding the validity of one of these genera and provide an initial discussion about the behavioral aspects and evolution of the mimetism in this group. Photograph by Alfredo Colón.

IS16086The systematics and biogeography of the mite harvestman family Sironidae (Arachnida : Opiliones : Cyphophthalmi) with the description of five new species

Gonzalo Giribet, Ligia R. Benavides and Izaskun Merino-Sáinz

pp. 456-491

A revision of the harvestman family Sironidae, which includes the oldest known members of Cyphophthalmi, is provided with an up-to-date molecular phylogenetic treatment. Five new taxa from the Iberian Peninsula and North America are described, including the second species in the genus Iberosiro, which has remained monotypic until now. We further revisit the male genitalic morphology for most genera by using confocal laser scanning microscopy. Photograph: Siro ligiae, sp. nov. Scale bars = 0.05 mm.

IS16061Molecular and morphological evidence for a new genus of small trapdoor spiders from arid Western Australia (Araneae : Mygalomorphae : Nemesiidae : Anaminae)

Mark A. Castalanelli, Joel A. Huey, Mia J. Hillyer and Mark S. Harvey

pp. 492-505

Our study using morphology and a multigene molecular analysis finds that three new species from arid Western Australia belong to a new and previously unrecognised genus, Hesperonatalius. It represents the sister-group to the diverse genus Aname, but differs by the lack of a prominent asetose ventral depression on the pedipalpal tibia and the medium-sized mating spur on tibia I of males. Photograph: Hesperonatalius maxwelli, by M. S. Harvey.

IS16082Exploring the role of within-island ecogeographical factors: insights from the genetic diversity of Cretan trap-door spiders (Cyrtocarenum cunicularium, Ctenizidae : Araneae)

Evanthia Thanou, Panagiotis Kornilios, Dimitris Poursanidis, Aristeidis Parmakelis, Miquel A. Arnedo and Maria Chatzaki

pp. 506-517

Palaeogeography and climate changes have shaped the biodiversity of most Mediterranean islands, including Crete. Past fragmentation into palaeoislands promoted the genetic divergence of Cretan trap-door spiders, which is still maintained by their limited dispersal capability and niche differentiation. Case studies like this highlight the role of ecogeographical and behavioural factors as part of the insular evolutionary process. Image: Distribution (at 1 million years ago and present time) of the ‘western’ and ‘eastern’ Cretan spiders, according to their mitochondrial and nuclear DNA.

Paper By Paper

The peer-reviewed and edited version of record published online as it becomes available

Published online 20 September 2017

IS16065The Australasian spiny trapdoor spiders of the family Idiopidae (Mygalomorphae : Arbanitinae): a relimitation and revision at the generic level

Michael G. Rix, Robert J. Raven, Barbara Y. Main, Sophie E. Harrison, Andrew D. Austin, Steven J. B. Cooper and Mark S. Harvey

pp. 566-634

The spiny trapdoor spiders of Australia are an iconic and highly diverse component of the Australasian ground-dwelling spider fauna, renowned for their longevity and conservation significance. Following detailed molecular analysis, we present a monographic revision of the family Idiopidae in Australia at the generic level, including an illustrated key to genera, molecular diagnoses for all higher taxa, along with live habitus and burrow images to assist in field identification. This work provides a single reference point for the identification of Australasian Idiopidae and lays the phylogenetic and morphological foundations for future species-level analyses.

Published online 20 September 2017

IS16055Species richness of jellyfishes (Scyphozoa : Discomedusae) in the Tropical Eastern Pacific: missed taxa, molecules, and morphology match in a biodiversity hotspot

Liza Gómez Daglio and Michael N Dawson

pp. 635-663

How much do we know about biodiversity in the ocean? Too little. Even common organisms, such as jellyfish, have many more species to be discovered. Exploration of the Tropical Eastern Pacific and adoption of modern methods revealed 22 new species – a tenfold increase in regional diversity. Genetic and morphological diversity of these species suggests considerable hidden ecological and functional diversity. Photograph by L. Gómez Daglio.

Published online 12 September 2017

IS16064A new ant-eating spider genus Suffascar (Araneae:Zodariidae) endemic to Madagascar: a considerable extension of the dual femoral organ clade

Arnaud Henrard and Rudy Jocqué

pp. 519-565

Madagascar is one of the most diverse areas of the world and harbours numerous endemic species. A new genus of ant-eating spiders, Suffascar, was discovered on the island, where it is apparently endemic, common and speciose (with 12 new species). It is well known that ant-eating spiders (Zodariidae) with femoral organs are specialised consumers of ants or termites, although the exact role of these glands, and their importance in a wider phylogenetic context, remains obscure.