Phylogeny and genetic variation in the spiders of the genus Ryuthela (Araneae: Liphistiidae)

Abstract

The molecular analysis using the partial sequencing data of mt-DNA COI gene and nuclear 28S-rRNA gene is conducted to infer the phylogeney and geographical genetic variations in the genus Ryuthela. The genus Ryuthela is suggested to be the monophyletic and the most derived group in the subfamily Heptathelinae. Ryuthela iheyana, R. sasakii and R. ishigakiensis are monophyletic groups, respectively, but R. nishihirai seems to be paraphyletic to R. iheyana. Ryuthela spiders appear to be diverged into many phylo-groups with strong geographic associations.