The morphology and relationships of the walking mud spiders of the genus Cryptothele (Araneae: Zodariidae)

RAMÍREZ, M. J.; GRISMADO, C. J.; LABARQUE, F.; IZQUIERDO, M.; LEDFORD, J.; MILLER, J.; HADDAD, C. R.; GRISWOLD, C.

ZOOLOGISCHER ANZEIGER

ELSEVIER GMBH

Año: 2014 vol. 253 p. 382 - 393

0044-5231

We revise the relationships of the spider genus Cryptothele after reexamination of themorphology of the spinnerets, leg tarsal claws and maxillae with scanning electronmicroscopy. Cryptothele species have a particular conformation of the spinning field of theanterior lateral spigots that is typical of zodariids and close relatives: the field of majorampullate gland spigots, together with their strain sensilla, are invaginated within the field ofpiriform gland spigots. The implantation of the teeth on the inner side of the leg tarsal clawsis also consistent with its placement among zodariids. We added Cryptothele to amorphological dataset of zodariid genera, together with the outgroups Homalonychus(Homalonychidae) and Penestomus (Penestomidae). The phylogenetic analysis concludesthat the genus Cryptothele is a member of the subfamily Cydrelinae, which by priority is hereconsidered a junior synonym of Cryptothelinae. Cryptothele specimens cover most of theirbody with soil particles which become consolidated as mud, and the debris is probably heldin place by curved setae covered by long barbs. The spinnerets, which can be retracted andhidden, as well as the booklungs, are surrounded by a crown of thick setae that are denselycovered by short barbs, protecting those areas against soil particles. Cryptothele are probablyspecialized to prey on termites, and their phylogenetic placement indicates that this diet specificity evolved two times independently in zodariids.