Jeremy Miller, zmjeremy@gwu.edu1, Jessica Garb, jessicaga@ucr.edu2, Ted Schultz3, and Jonathan Coddington, coddington.jon@nmnh.si.edu3. (1) California Academy of Sciences, Department of Entomology, 875 Howard Street, P.O. Box 37012, San Francisco, CA, (2) University of California, Department of Biology, Riverside, CA, (3) Smithsonian Institution, Department of Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, Washington, DC
New molecular sequence data from over 70 Latrodectus specimens provide evidence for the evolution of the genus and the circumscription of Latrodectus species. This study builds on the first molecular phylogeny of Latrodectus, which was based on a single mitochondrial gene (cytochrome oxidase I). Most specimens from that analysis plus many new specimens were sequenced for two nuclear genes: histone 3 and 28S ribosomal RNA. These data are added to two higher-level studies, one on theridiid genera, and one on Hawaiian linyphiids. This later study provides a calibration point for estimating the ages of historic events, such as the origin of Latrodectus. Future sequencing work and plans for a global monograph of Latrodectus based on morphological, molecular, and behavioral data are previewed.
Species 1: Araneae Theridiidae
Latrodectus sp (black widow spider)
Keywords: phylogeny, monography
