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VOL. 9, ISSUE 1 (2024)
Revisiting taxonomic problems in the genus Myrmaplata Prószyński, 2016 (Araneae: Salticidae)
Authors
Rahul Kumar, Birendra Kumar Gupta, Ajay Kumar Sharma
Abstract
The genus Myrmaplata is
a small genus containing five species of ant mimicking jumping spiders, which
was earlier part of the genus Myrmarachne. It has many taxonomic issues.
Present work is an effort to revisit these problems and address them using an
integrative approach employing literature survey and phylogenetic studies. In
this regard, literature survey concerning this genus as well as some species of
the genus Myrmarachne was conducted. Myrmaplata plataleoides and Myrmaplata
wanlessi were dealt with in this work. Reports of morpho-variants in case
of Myrmaplata plataleoides and absence of the report of female in case
of Myrmaplata wanlessi make these genera a matter of special taxonomic
concern. Barcode region of mtCO1 gene was sequenced from both male and female
spiders of a recently described melanic morpho-variant of Myrmaplata
plataleoides for comparison with the typical form. Publicly available
barcode region of mtCO1 sequences were retrieved for species of the genus Myrmaplata
and the genus Myrmarachne for phylogenetic studies. Phylogenetic
analysis reveals the existence of significant evolutionary divergence in the
morpho-variant with respect to the typical form. Previous report of assortative
mating in some morpho-variants of this spider and the presence of a significant
evolutionary divergence between the melanic morpho-variant and the typical red
form as found in the present study suggest that polymorphic mimicry in Myrmaplata
plataleoides is a magic trait. Literature survey and phylogenetic analysis
point towards the possibility of conspecificity between Myrmaplata wanlessi
and Myrmarachne lambirensis. These analyses also suggest removal of Myrmaplata
wanlessi from the genus Myrmaplata and renaming it back as Myrmarachne
wanlessi. But to confirm its specific identity with more accuracy a through
re-examination of its holotype is suggested vis-à-vis the holotype of Myrmarachne
lambirensis. Need to revisit similar issues associated with the genus Myrmarachne
in light of integrative taxonomy has also been highlighted.
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Pages:7-14
How to cite this article:
Rahul Kumar, Birendra Kumar Gupta, Ajay Kumar Sharma "Revisiting taxonomic problems in the genus <i>Myrmaplata </i>Prószyński, 2016 (Araneae: Salticidae)". International Journal of Entomology Research, Vol 9, Issue 1, 2024, Pages 7-14
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