Systematics and phylogeography of the Dysdera erythrina species complex (Araneae, Dysderidae) in Sardinia

• DOI: 10.3897/zookeys.16.128
• Publication Date: 2009-07-31T12:18:01Z
• Authors: Miquel Arnedo; Fulvio Gasparo; Vera Opatova
• Keywords: Endemism; Mediterranean Islands

Sardinia is the second largest island in Mediterranean and, together with Corsica and nearby mainland areas, one of top biodiversity hotspots region. The origin traces back to opening western late Oligocene. This geological event subsequent Messinian Salinity Crisis Pleistocene glacial cycles have had a major impact on local biodiversity. Dysdera woodlouse hunter spiders are most diverse ground-dweller groups Mediterranean. Here we describe first two species this genus endemic Sardinia: jana sp. n. shardana show contrasting allopatric distribution: D. narrow while distributed throughout island. A multi-gene DNA sequence phylogenetic analys based mitochondrial nuclear genes supports close relationships new type erythrina. Age estimates reject Oligocene identify Crises as plausible period for split between Sardinian endemics their closest relatives. Phylogeographic analysis reveals deep genetic divergences population structure n., suggesting that restriction gene flow probably due environmental factors could explain speciation events.