Molecular phylogeny and revision of the false violin spiders (Araneae: Drymusidae) of Africa

Abstract

The family Drymusidae includes 16 cryptic spiders that build irregular websin dark places. The family is distributed in South Africa, the Neotropical,and Andean regions. Here, we use a molecular approach to infer therelationships of Drymusidae using three mitochondrial (COI, 16S, 12S) andthree nuclear (H3, 28S, 18S) markers. Our preferred analyses supportDrymusidae and its American and African clades, which emerge as sistergroups. Our analyses suggest a Gondwanan distribution of Drymusidae anda Westward radiation of Izithunzi gen. nov. within South Africa, but bothhypotheses remain to be thoroughly tested. We describe Izithunzi gen.nov. for the African species. All previous African species are redescribedand new combinations proposed: Izithunzi capense (Simon) comb. nov.,Izithunzi productum (Purcell) comb. nov. and Izithunzi silvicola (Purcell)comb. nov.. Two new species are described: Izithunzi lina sp. nov. (knownfrom both sexes) and Izithunzi zondii sp. nov. (known only from females).The male of I. productum (Purcell) comb. nov. is also described for the firsttime. We consider Drymusa valida (Lawrence, 1964) a junior synonym ofIzithunzi capense (Simon) comb. nov. (new synonymy). We also provide adichotomous key for Izithunzi gen. nov. species.