Shape features are often used as characters in cladistic analyses, yet states of these characters are seldom delineated in an objective, repeatable fashion. Carapace shape is one such character that is often used in analyses of mygalomorph spider relationships. For example, most analyses have used cephalic region morphology (e.g. steeply arched v. flat or sloping) as a key feature that delineates some major clades. In practice, carapace shapes at the extremes are relatively easy to identify; however, intermediate carapace shapes have proven to be much more difficult to objectively score in one of three shape categories. In this study, carapace shape is used as an exemplar characteristic to evaluate the utility of shape features in phylogenetic analyses and to evaluate our ability to effectively score discrete character states. Carapaces from 178 spider specimens sampled across 13 of the 15 nominal mygalomorph families were digitally photographed and their outlines were traced and pseudo-landmarks plotted. An elliptical Fourier analysis was then employed in an attempt to both delineate and assess character states. It is concluded that landmark analyses are inappropriate for carapace shape delineation as a result of difficulties in scoring precision and, thus, outline analyses are the preferred method given the morphology. Carapace shape is not a very useful character for broad-level systematic studies of mygalomorph relationships owing to the variable nature of the feature and our inability to detect discrete discernable shapes.

Although hyperdiverse groups like terrestrial arthropods are almost certainly severely impacted by habitat fragmentation and destruction, few studies have formally documented such effects. In this paper, we summarize the results of a multifaceted research approach to assess the magnitude and importance of anthropogenic population extinction on the narrowly endemic trapdoor spider genus Apomastus. We used geographical information systems modeling to reconstruct the likely historical distribution of Apomastus, and used molecular phylogeographic data to discern population genetic structure and detect genetic signatures of population extinction. In combination, these complementary lines of inference support direct observations of population extinction, and lead us to conclude that population extinction via urbanization has played an important role in defining the modern-day distribution of Apomastus species. This population loss implies coincident loss of genetic and adaptive diversity within this genus, and more generally, suggests a loss of ground-dwelling arthropod population diversity throughout the Los Angeles Basin. Strategies for minimizing this loss are proposed.

ABSTRACTOne of the primary goals of any systematic, taxonomic or biodiversity study is the characterization of species distributions. While museum collection data are important for ascertaining distributional ranges, they are often biased or incomplete. The Genetic Algorithm for Rule‐set Prediction (GARP) is an ecological niche modelling method based on a genetic algorithm that has been argued to provide an accurate assessment of the spatial distribution of organisms that have dispersal capabilities. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the accuracy of a GARP model to predict the spatial distribution of a non‐invasive, non‐vagile invertebrate whose full distributional range was unknown. A GARP predictive model based on seven environmental parameters and 42 locations known from historical museum records for species of the trapdoor spider genus Promyrmekiaphila was produced and subsequently used as a guide for ground truthing the model. The GARP model was neither a significant nor an accurate predictor of spider localities and was outperformed by more simplistic BIOCLIM and GLM models. The isolated nature of Promyrmekiaphila populations mandates that environmental layers and their respective resolutions are carefully chosen for model production. Our results strongly indicate that, for modelling the spatial distribution of low vagility organisms, one should employ a modelling method whose results are more conducive to interpretation than models produced by a ‘black box’ algorithm such as GARP.

Jamaican millipedes in the Anadenobolus species complex provide an unusual case study of arthropods having undergone speciation in the absence of conspicuous divergence of male genitalia. Using landmark-based morphometrics, we examined shape deformation of the male anterior copulatory device in three genetically divergent yet morphologically cryptic species. A multivariate analysis of variance and relative warp analysis of nonuniform components show that although male genitalic shape is statistically different among species, many specimens are 'misplaced' in morphological space, perhaps consistent with a condition analogous to incomplete lineage sorting. A simulation of neutral nuclear gene coalescence suggests that such incomplete sorting is expected, given the depth of mtDNA divergences observed across species. The pronounced contrast between deep molecular v. incomplete genitalic divergence is at odds with the paradigm of selection-driven rapid change in male copulatory structure during arthropod speciation. Alternatively, we suggest that male genitalic divergence is evolving neutrally or in concert with other components of the genome (pleiotropy). Although we recognise the empirical validity of rapid genitalic divergence via sexual selection or sexual conflict, such models must be empirically tested using multiple lines of evidence. Accepting the rapid and divergent hypothesis without such multiple evidence scrutiny may result in a gross underestimation of evolutionary diversity and, subsequently, the misinterpretation of processes shaping genitalic change.