C GRISWOLD - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by C GRISWOLD

American Museum Novitates, 2011

A new oonopid genus endemic to Madagascar, Molotra, is proposed and its six included species are ... more A new oonopid genus endemic to Madagascar, Molotra, is proposed and its six included species are newly described and illustrated: M. molotra, the type species, M. ninae, M. katarinae, M. suzannae, M. tsingy, and M. milloti. Molotra is defined on the basis of its unusual genitalia. The male has the palpal bulb terminating in broad, liplike lobes, unlike any previously described in Oonopidae. The female is equally unusual in lacking an apparent receptaculum, although the genitalia otherwise resemble those of silhouettelloid genera. The species of Molotra form three distinct groups based on somatic and genitalic characters. The M. molotra group includes four large, strongly spined species. The remaining two are morphologically distinct and known only from males. M. tsingy is a small species with unusual palpi that are complex, contorted, and with a resting position along the sternocoxal boundary, instead of an anterior sternal cavity. M. milloti is a very bristly species that differs somatically from other Molotra but has genitalia similar to the M. molotra group. Molotra is known only from Madagascar where the three species groups are strongly disjunct. The M. molotra group occurs in higher elevation forests (1000-1300 m) in northeastern Madagascar, M. tsingy is from low elevation karst (150 m) of the southwest, whereas M. milloti is from a coastal locality in the northwest.

We present a phylogenetic analysis of higher groups of entelegyne spiders, with representatives o... more We present a phylogenetic analysis of higher groups of entelegyne spiders, with representatives of all entelegyne families containing cribellate members and of Palpimanoidea. We examined 55 exemplar species of eresoids (

The family Eresidae C. L. Koch, 1850 is reviewed at the genus level. The family comprises nine ge... more The family Eresidae C. L. Koch, 1850 is reviewed at the genus level. The family comprises nine genera including one new genus. They are: Adonea Simon, 1873, Dorceus C. L. Koch, 1846, Dresserus Simon, 1876, Eresus Walckenaer, 1805, Gandanameno Lehtinen, 1967, Loureedia gen. n., Paradonea Lawrence, 1968, Seothyra Purcell, 1903, and Stegodyphus Simon, 1873. A key to all genera and major lineages is provided along with corresponding diagnoses, as well as descriptions of selected species. These are documented with collections of photographs, scanning electron micrographs, and illustrations. A new phylogeny of Eresidae based on molecular sequence data expands on a previously published analysis. A species of the genus Paradonea Lawrence, 1968 is sequenced and placed phylogenetically for the first time. New sequences from twenty Gandanameno Lehtinen, 1967 specimens were added to investigate species limits within the genus. The genus Loureedia gen. n. is proposed to accommodate Eresus annulipes Lucas, 1857. Two species, Eresus semicanus Simon, 1908 and Eresus jerbae El-Hennawy, 2005, are synonymized with Loureedia annulipes comb. n. One new species, Paradonea presleyi sp. n. is described. Eresus algericus El-Hennawy, 2004 is transferred to Adonea Simon, 1873. The female of Dorceus fastuosus C. L. Koch, 1846 is described for the first time. The first figures depicting Paradonea splendens (Lawrence, 1936) are presented.

ZooKeys, 2012

The spider genus Tayshaneta is revised based on results from a three gene phylogenetic analysis (... more The spider genus Tayshaneta is revised based on results from a three gene phylogenetic analysis (Ledford et al. 2011) and a comprehensive morphological survey using scanning electron (SEM) and compound light microscopy. The morphology and relationships within Tayshaneta are discussed and five species-groups are supported by phylogenetic analyses: the anopica group, the coeca group, the myopica group, the microps group and the sandersi group. Short branch lengths within Tayshaneta contrast sharply with the remaining North American genera and are viewed as evidence for a relatively recent radiation of species. Variation in troglomorphic morphology is discussed and compared to patterns found in other Texas cave invertebrates. Several species previously known as single cave endemics have wider ranges than expected, suggesting that some caves are not isolated habitats but instead form part of interconnected karst networks. Distribution maps are compared with karst faunal regions (KFR's) in Central Texas and the implications for the conservation and recovery of Tayshaneta species are discussed. Ten new species are described: Tayshaneta archambaultisp. n., Tayshaneta emeraldaesp. n., Tayshaneta fawcettisp. n., Tayshaneta grubbsisp. n., Tayshaneta madlasp. n., Tayshaneta oconnoraesp. n., Tayshaneta sandersisp. n., Tayshaneta sprouseisp. n., Tayshaneta vidriosp. n. and Tayshaneta whiteisp. n. The males for three species, Tayshaneta anopica (Gertsch, 1974), Tayshaneta devia (Gertsch, 1974) and Tayshaneta microps (Gertsch, 1974) are described for the first time. Tayshaneta furtiva (Gertsch, 1974) and Tayshaneta uvaldea (Gertsch, 1974) are declared nomina dubia as the female holotypes are not diagnosable and efforts to locate specimens at the type localities were unsuccessful. All Tayshaneta species are thoroughly illustrated, diagnosed and keyed. Distribution maps are also provided highlighting areas of taxonomic ambiguity in need of additional sampling.

Zookeys, 2009

A concept for data publication and semantic enhancements proposed by ZooKeys and applied in the m... more A concept for data publication and semantic enhancements proposed by ZooKeys and applied in the milestone paper by is described. For the fi rst time in systematic zoology, a unique combination of data publication and semantic enhancements is applied within the mainstream process of journal publishing, to demonstrate how: (1) All primary biodiversity data underlying a taxonomic monograph are published as a dataset under a separate DOI within a paper; (2) Th e occurrence dataset is separately discoverable and accessible through GBIF data portal (data.gbif.org) simultaneously with the publication;

Systematic Biology, 2007

Images are paramount in documentation of morphological data. Production and reproduction costs ha... more Images are paramount in documentation of morphological data. Production and reproduction costs have traditionally limited how many illustrations taxonomy could afford to publish, and much comparative knowledge continues to be lost as generations turn over. Now digital images are cheaply produced and easily disseminated electronically but pose problems in maintenance, curation, sharing, and use, particularly in long-term data sets involving multiple collaborators and institutions. We propose an efficient linkage of images to phylogenetic data sets via an ontology of morphological terms; an underlying, fine-grained database of specimens, images, and associated metadata; fixation of the meaning of morphological terms (homolog names) by ostensive references to particular taxa; and formalization of images as standard views. The ontology provides the intellectual structure and fundamental design of the relationships and enables intelligent queries to populate phylogenetic data sets with images. The database itself documents primary morphological observations, their vouchers, and associated metadata, rather than the conventional data set cell, and thereby facilitates data maintenance despite character redefinition or specimen reidentification. It minimizes reexamination of specimens, loss of information or data quality, and echoes the data models of web-based repositories for images, specimens, and taxonomic names. Confusion and ambiguity in the meanings of technical morphological terms are reduced by ostensive definitions pointing to features in particular taxa, which may serve as reference for globally unique identifiers of characters. Finally, the concept of standard views (an image illustrating one or more homologs in a specific sex and life stage, in a specific orientation, using a specific device and preparation technique) enables efficient, dynamic linkage of images to the data set and automatic population of matrix cells with images independently of scoring decisions.

The genus Stedocys was known only from males. Here we describe the first females of the genus. St... more The genus Stedocys was known only from males. Here we describe the first females of the genus. Stedocys genitalia are atypical for Scytodidae. Males are distinguished by having the papal tarsus subequal or smaller than the tegulum, not prolonged apically, without prolateral blunt macrosetae; the tegulum long, inserted apically on the tarsus; embolus slightly shorter than bulb, aciculate distally, and females by lacking fovea or positioning ridges below the epigastric furrow, and by having an anterior epigynal pouch. In this contribution, we describe the female and redescribe the male of Stedocys leopoldi , and describe male and female of Stedocys pagodas new species from China (Yunnan). The lack of a projection on the male palpal tarsus suggests that Stedocys is the sister group of all other genera of Scytodidae.

Zoologischer Anzeiger - A Journal of Comparative Zoology, 2014

Please cite this article as: Ramírez, M.J., Grismado, C.J., Labarque, F.M., Izquierdo, M.A., Ledf... more Please cite this article as: Ramírez, M.J., Grismado, C.J., Labarque, F.M., Izquierdo, M.A., Ledford, J.M., Miller, J.A., Haddad, C.R., Griswold, C.E.,The morphology and relationships of the walking mud spiders of the genus Cryptothele (Araneae: A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t 1 The morphology and relationships of the walking mud spiders of the genus Cryptothele (Araneae: Zodariidae)

American Museum Novitates, 2015

Number 3822, 71 pp. January 16, 2015 AMERICAN MUSEUM NOvITATES NO. 3822 4 AMERICAN MUSEUM NOvITAT... more Number 3822, 71 pp. January 16, 2015 AMERICAN MUSEUM NOvITATES NO. 3822 4 AMERICAN MUSEUM NOvITATES NO. 3822

Zootaxa

The spider genus Pandava Lehtinen previously included two species, P. laminata (Thorell) and P. h... more The spider genus Pandava Lehtinen previously included two species, P. laminata (Thorell) and P. hunanensis Yin and Bao, known from Asia and the Pacific Islands. The genus is diagnosed by the reduced tegular process on the male palp and the anterior position of the copulatory openings on the female epigynum. In this paper, we present updated descriptions for the known species of Pandava and we describe five new species: Pandava shiva sp. nov. from Pakistan, Pandava sarasvati sp. nov. from Myanmar; Pandava ganesha sp. nov., Pandava kama sp. nov. and Pandava ganga sp. nov., all from India. We also update the generic distribution including the first records of Titanoecidae from Africa.

Zookeys, 2009

A concept for data publication and semantic enhancements proposed by ZooKeys and applied in the m... more A concept for data publication and semantic enhancements proposed by ZooKeys and applied in the milestone paper by is described. For the fi rst time in systematic zoology, a unique combination of data publication and semantic enhancements is applied within the mainstream process of journal publishing, to demonstrate how: (1) All primary biodiversity data underlying a taxonomic monograph are published as a dataset under a separate DOI within a paper; (2) Th e occurrence dataset is separately discoverable and accessible through GBIF data portal (data.gbif.org) simultaneously with the publication;

Systematic Biology, 2007

Images are paramount in documentation of morphological data. Production and reproduction costs ha... more Images are paramount in documentation of morphological data. Production and reproduction costs have traditionally limited how many illustrations taxonomy could afford to publish, and much comparative knowledge continues to be lost as generations turn over. Now digital images are cheaply produced and easily disseminated electronically but pose problems in maintenance, curation, sharing, and use, particularly in long-term data sets involving multiple collaborators and institutions. We propose an efficient linkage of images to phylogenetic data sets via an ontology of morphological terms; an underlying, fine-grained database of specimens, images, and associated metadata; fixation of the meaning of morphological terms (homolog names) by ostensive references to particular taxa; and formalization of images as standard views. The ontology provides the intellectual structure and fundamental design of the relationships and enables intelligent queries to populate phylogenetic data sets with images. The database itself documents primary morphological observations, their vouchers, and associated metadata, rather than the conventional data set cell, and thereby facilitates data maintenance despite character redefinition or specimen reidentification. It minimizes reexamination of specimens, loss of information or data quality, and echoes the data models of web-based repositories for images, specimens, and taxonomic names. Confusion and ambiguity in the meanings of technical morphological terms are reduced by ostensive definitions pointing to features in particular taxa, which may serve as reference for globally unique identifiers of characters. Finally, the concept of standard views (an image illustrating one or more homologs in a specific sex and life stage, in a specific orientation, using a specific device and preparation technique) enables efficient, dynamic linkage of images to the data set and automatic population of matrix cells with images independently of scoring decisions.

We propose a phylogeny for all entelegyne families with cribellate members based on a matrix of 1... more We propose a phylogeny for all entelegyne families with cribellate members based on a matrix of 137 characters scored for 43 exemplar taxa and analyzed under parsimony. The cladogram confirms the monophyly of Neocribellatae, Araneoclada, Entelegynae, and Orbiculariae. Lycosoidea, Amaurobiidae and some included subfamilies, Dictynoidea, and Amaurobioidea (sensu Forster & Wilton 1973) are polyphyletic. Phyxelidinae Lehtinen is raised to family

Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 1998

This phylogenetic analysis of 31 exemplar taxa treats the 12 families of Araneoidea (Anapidae, Ar... more This phylogenetic analysis of 31 exemplar taxa treats the 12 families of Araneoidea (Anapidae, Araneidae, Cyatholipidae, Linyphiidae, Mysmenidae, Nesticidae, Pimoidae, Symphytognathidae, Synotaxidae, Tetragnathidae, Theridiidae, and Theridiosomatidae). The data set comprises 93 characters: 23 from male genitalia, 3 from female genitalia, 18 from cephalothorax morphology, 6 from abdomen morphology, 14 from limb morphology, 15 from the spinnerets, and 14 from web architecture and other behaviour. Criteria for tree choice were minimum length parsimony and parsimony under implied weights. The outgroup for Araneoidea is Deinopoidea (Deinopidae and Uloboridae). The preferred shortest tree specifies the relationships ((Uloboridae, Deinopidae) (Araneidae (Tetragnathidae ((Theridiosomatidae (Mysmenidae (Symphytognathidae, Anapidae))) ((Linyphiidae, Pimoidae) ((Theridiidae, Nesticidae) (Cyatholipidae, Synotaxidae))))))). The monophyly of Tetragnathidae (including metines and nephilines), the symphytognathoids, theridiid-nesticid lineage, and Synotaxidae are confirmed. Cyatholipidae are sister to Synotaxidae, not closely related to either the Araneidae or Linyphiidae, as previously suggested. Four new clades are proposed: the cyatholipoids (Cyatholipidae plus Synotaxidae), the 'spineless femur clade' (theridioid lineage plus cyatholipoids), the 'araneoid sheet web builders' (linyphioids plus the spineless femur clade), and the 'reduced piriform clade' (symphytognathoids plus araneoid sheet web builders). The results imply a coherent scenario for web evolution in which the monophyletic orb gives rise to the monophyletic araneoid sheet, which in turn gives rise to the gumfoot web of the theridiid-nesticid lineage. While the spinning complement of single pairs of glands does not change much over the evolution of the group, multiple sets of glands are dramatically reduced in number, implying that derived araneoids are incapable of spinning many silk fibers at the same time.

ZooKeys, 2012

Citation: Griswold CE, Audisio T, Ledford JM (2012) An extraordinary new family of spiders from c... more Citation: Griswold CE, Audisio T, Ledford JM (2012) An extraordinary new family of spiders from caves in the Pacific Northwest (Araneae, Trogloraptoridae, new family). ZooKeys 215: 77-102.

American Museum Novitates, 2011

A new oonopid genus endemic to Madagascar, Molotra, is proposed and its six included species are ... more A new oonopid genus endemic to Madagascar, Molotra, is proposed and its six included species are newly described and illustrated: M. molotra, the type species, M. ninae, M. katarinae, M. suzannae, M. tsingy, and M. milloti. Molotra is defined on the basis of its unusual genitalia. The male has the palpal bulb terminating in broad, liplike lobes, unlike any previously described in Oonopidae. The female is equally unusual in lacking an apparent receptaculum, although the genitalia otherwise resemble those of silhouettelloid genera. The species of Molotra form three distinct groups based on somatic and genitalic characters. The M. molotra group includes four large, strongly spined species. The remaining two are morphologically distinct and known only from males. M. tsingy is a small species with unusual palpi that are complex, contorted, and with a resting position along the sternocoxal boundary, instead of an anterior sternal cavity. M. milloti is a very bristly species that differs somatically from other Molotra but has genitalia similar to the M. molotra group. Molotra is known only from Madagascar where the three species groups are strongly disjunct. The M. molotra group occurs in higher elevation forests (1000-1300 m) in northeastern Madagascar, M. tsingy is from low elevation karst (150 m) of the southwest, whereas M. milloti is from a coastal locality in the northwest.

We present a phylogenetic analysis of higher groups of entelegyne spiders, with representatives o... more We present a phylogenetic analysis of higher groups of entelegyne spiders, with representatives of all entelegyne families containing cribellate members and of Palpimanoidea. We examined 55 exemplar species of eresoids (

The family Eresidae C. L. Koch, 1850 is reviewed at the genus level. The family comprises nine ge... more The family Eresidae C. L. Koch, 1850 is reviewed at the genus level. The family comprises nine genera including one new genus. They are: Adonea Simon, 1873, Dorceus C. L. Koch, 1846, Dresserus Simon, 1876, Eresus Walckenaer, 1805, Gandanameno Lehtinen, 1967, Loureedia gen. n., Paradonea Lawrence, 1968, Seothyra Purcell, 1903, and Stegodyphus Simon, 1873. A key to all genera and major lineages is provided along with corresponding diagnoses, as well as descriptions of selected species. These are documented with collections of photographs, scanning electron micrographs, and illustrations. A new phylogeny of Eresidae based on molecular sequence data expands on a previously published analysis. A species of the genus Paradonea Lawrence, 1968 is sequenced and placed phylogenetically for the first time. New sequences from twenty Gandanameno Lehtinen, 1967 specimens were added to investigate species limits within the genus. The genus Loureedia gen. n. is proposed to accommodate Eresus annulipes Lucas, 1857. Two species, Eresus semicanus Simon, 1908 and Eresus jerbae El-Hennawy, 2005, are synonymized with Loureedia annulipes comb. n. One new species, Paradonea presleyi sp. n. is described. Eresus algericus El-Hennawy, 2004 is transferred to Adonea Simon, 1873. The female of Dorceus fastuosus C. L. Koch, 1846 is described for the first time. The first figures depicting Paradonea splendens (Lawrence, 1936) are presented.

ZooKeys, 2012

The spider genus Tayshaneta is revised based on results from a three gene phylogenetic analysis (... more The spider genus Tayshaneta is revised based on results from a three gene phylogenetic analysis (Ledford et al. 2011) and a comprehensive morphological survey using scanning electron (SEM) and compound light microscopy. The morphology and relationships within Tayshaneta are discussed and five species-groups are supported by phylogenetic analyses: the anopica group, the coeca group, the myopica group, the microps group and the sandersi group. Short branch lengths within Tayshaneta contrast sharply with the remaining North American genera and are viewed as evidence for a relatively recent radiation of species. Variation in troglomorphic morphology is discussed and compared to patterns found in other Texas cave invertebrates. Several species previously known as single cave endemics have wider ranges than expected, suggesting that some caves are not isolated habitats but instead form part of interconnected karst networks. Distribution maps are compared with karst faunal regions (KFR's) in Central Texas and the implications for the conservation and recovery of Tayshaneta species are discussed. Ten new species are described: Tayshaneta archambaultisp. n., Tayshaneta emeraldaesp. n., Tayshaneta fawcettisp. n., Tayshaneta grubbsisp. n., Tayshaneta madlasp. n., Tayshaneta oconnoraesp. n., Tayshaneta sandersisp. n., Tayshaneta sprouseisp. n., Tayshaneta vidriosp. n. and Tayshaneta whiteisp. n. The males for three species, Tayshaneta anopica (Gertsch, 1974), Tayshaneta devia (Gertsch, 1974) and Tayshaneta microps (Gertsch, 1974) are described for the first time. Tayshaneta furtiva (Gertsch, 1974) and Tayshaneta uvaldea (Gertsch, 1974) are declared nomina dubia as the female holotypes are not diagnosable and efforts to locate specimens at the type localities were unsuccessful. All Tayshaneta species are thoroughly illustrated, diagnosed and keyed. Distribution maps are also provided highlighting areas of taxonomic ambiguity in need of additional sampling.

Zookeys, 2009

A concept for data publication and semantic enhancements proposed by ZooKeys and applied in the m... more A concept for data publication and semantic enhancements proposed by ZooKeys and applied in the milestone paper by is described. For the fi rst time in systematic zoology, a unique combination of data publication and semantic enhancements is applied within the mainstream process of journal publishing, to demonstrate how: (1) All primary biodiversity data underlying a taxonomic monograph are published as a dataset under a separate DOI within a paper; (2) Th e occurrence dataset is separately discoverable and accessible through GBIF data portal (data.gbif.org) simultaneously with the publication;

Systematic Biology, 2007

Images are paramount in documentation of morphological data. Production and reproduction costs ha... more Images are paramount in documentation of morphological data. Production and reproduction costs have traditionally limited how many illustrations taxonomy could afford to publish, and much comparative knowledge continues to be lost as generations turn over. Now digital images are cheaply produced and easily disseminated electronically but pose problems in maintenance, curation, sharing, and use, particularly in long-term data sets involving multiple collaborators and institutions. We propose an efficient linkage of images to phylogenetic data sets via an ontology of morphological terms; an underlying, fine-grained database of specimens, images, and associated metadata; fixation of the meaning of morphological terms (homolog names) by ostensive references to particular taxa; and formalization of images as standard views. The ontology provides the intellectual structure and fundamental design of the relationships and enables intelligent queries to populate phylogenetic data sets with images. The database itself documents primary morphological observations, their vouchers, and associated metadata, rather than the conventional data set cell, and thereby facilitates data maintenance despite character redefinition or specimen reidentification. It minimizes reexamination of specimens, loss of information or data quality, and echoes the data models of web-based repositories for images, specimens, and taxonomic names. Confusion and ambiguity in the meanings of technical morphological terms are reduced by ostensive definitions pointing to features in particular taxa, which may serve as reference for globally unique identifiers of characters. Finally, the concept of standard views (an image illustrating one or more homologs in a specific sex and life stage, in a specific orientation, using a specific device and preparation technique) enables efficient, dynamic linkage of images to the data set and automatic population of matrix cells with images independently of scoring decisions.

The genus Stedocys was known only from males. Here we describe the first females of the genus. St... more The genus Stedocys was known only from males. Here we describe the first females of the genus. Stedocys genitalia are atypical for Scytodidae. Males are distinguished by having the papal tarsus subequal or smaller than the tegulum, not prolonged apically, without prolateral blunt macrosetae; the tegulum long, inserted apically on the tarsus; embolus slightly shorter than bulb, aciculate distally, and females by lacking fovea or positioning ridges below the epigastric furrow, and by having an anterior epigynal pouch. In this contribution, we describe the female and redescribe the male of Stedocys leopoldi , and describe male and female of Stedocys pagodas new species from China (Yunnan). The lack of a projection on the male palpal tarsus suggests that Stedocys is the sister group of all other genera of Scytodidae.

Zoologischer Anzeiger - A Journal of Comparative Zoology, 2014

Please cite this article as: Ramírez, M.J., Grismado, C.J., Labarque, F.M., Izquierdo, M.A., Ledf... more Please cite this article as: Ramírez, M.J., Grismado, C.J., Labarque, F.M., Izquierdo, M.A., Ledford, J.M., Miller, J.A., Haddad, C.R., Griswold, C.E.,The morphology and relationships of the walking mud spiders of the genus Cryptothele (Araneae: A c c e p t e d M a n u s c r i p t 1 The morphology and relationships of the walking mud spiders of the genus Cryptothele (Araneae: Zodariidae)

American Museum Novitates, 2015

Number 3822, 71 pp. January 16, 2015 AMERICAN MUSEUM NOvITATES NO. 3822 4 AMERICAN MUSEUM NOvITAT... more Number 3822, 71 pp. January 16, 2015 AMERICAN MUSEUM NOvITATES NO. 3822 4 AMERICAN MUSEUM NOvITATES NO. 3822

Zootaxa

The spider genus Pandava Lehtinen previously included two species, P. laminata (Thorell) and P. h... more The spider genus Pandava Lehtinen previously included two species, P. laminata (Thorell) and P. hunanensis Yin and Bao, known from Asia and the Pacific Islands. The genus is diagnosed by the reduced tegular process on the male palp and the anterior position of the copulatory openings on the female epigynum. In this paper, we present updated descriptions for the known species of Pandava and we describe five new species: Pandava shiva sp. nov. from Pakistan, Pandava sarasvati sp. nov. from Myanmar; Pandava ganesha sp. nov., Pandava kama sp. nov. and Pandava ganga sp. nov., all from India. We also update the generic distribution including the first records of Titanoecidae from Africa.

Zookeys, 2009

A concept for data publication and semantic enhancements proposed by ZooKeys and applied in the m... more A concept for data publication and semantic enhancements proposed by ZooKeys and applied in the milestone paper by is described. For the fi rst time in systematic zoology, a unique combination of data publication and semantic enhancements is applied within the mainstream process of journal publishing, to demonstrate how: (1) All primary biodiversity data underlying a taxonomic monograph are published as a dataset under a separate DOI within a paper; (2) Th e occurrence dataset is separately discoverable and accessible through GBIF data portal (data.gbif.org) simultaneously with the publication;

Systematic Biology, 2007

Images are paramount in documentation of morphological data. Production and reproduction costs ha... more Images are paramount in documentation of morphological data. Production and reproduction costs have traditionally limited how many illustrations taxonomy could afford to publish, and much comparative knowledge continues to be lost as generations turn over. Now digital images are cheaply produced and easily disseminated electronically but pose problems in maintenance, curation, sharing, and use, particularly in long-term data sets involving multiple collaborators and institutions. We propose an efficient linkage of images to phylogenetic data sets via an ontology of morphological terms; an underlying, fine-grained database of specimens, images, and associated metadata; fixation of the meaning of morphological terms (homolog names) by ostensive references to particular taxa; and formalization of images as standard views. The ontology provides the intellectual structure and fundamental design of the relationships and enables intelligent queries to populate phylogenetic data sets with images. The database itself documents primary morphological observations, their vouchers, and associated metadata, rather than the conventional data set cell, and thereby facilitates data maintenance despite character redefinition or specimen reidentification. It minimizes reexamination of specimens, loss of information or data quality, and echoes the data models of web-based repositories for images, specimens, and taxonomic names. Confusion and ambiguity in the meanings of technical morphological terms are reduced by ostensive definitions pointing to features in particular taxa, which may serve as reference for globally unique identifiers of characters. Finally, the concept of standard views (an image illustrating one or more homologs in a specific sex and life stage, in a specific orientation, using a specific device and preparation technique) enables efficient, dynamic linkage of images to the data set and automatic population of matrix cells with images independently of scoring decisions.

We propose a phylogeny for all entelegyne families with cribellate members based on a matrix of 1... more We propose a phylogeny for all entelegyne families with cribellate members based on a matrix of 137 characters scored for 43 exemplar taxa and analyzed under parsimony. The cladogram confirms the monophyly of Neocribellatae, Araneoclada, Entelegynae, and Orbiculariae. Lycosoidea, Amaurobiidae and some included subfamilies, Dictynoidea, and Amaurobioidea (sensu Forster & Wilton 1973) are polyphyletic. Phyxelidinae Lehtinen is raised to family

Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 1998

This phylogenetic analysis of 31 exemplar taxa treats the 12 families of Araneoidea (Anapidae, Ar... more This phylogenetic analysis of 31 exemplar taxa treats the 12 families of Araneoidea (Anapidae, Araneidae, Cyatholipidae, Linyphiidae, Mysmenidae, Nesticidae, Pimoidae, Symphytognathidae, Synotaxidae, Tetragnathidae, Theridiidae, and Theridiosomatidae). The data set comprises 93 characters: 23 from male genitalia, 3 from female genitalia, 18 from cephalothorax morphology, 6 from abdomen morphology, 14 from limb morphology, 15 from the spinnerets, and 14 from web architecture and other behaviour. Criteria for tree choice were minimum length parsimony and parsimony under implied weights. The outgroup for Araneoidea is Deinopoidea (Deinopidae and Uloboridae). The preferred shortest tree specifies the relationships ((Uloboridae, Deinopidae) (Araneidae (Tetragnathidae ((Theridiosomatidae (Mysmenidae (Symphytognathidae, Anapidae))) ((Linyphiidae, Pimoidae) ((Theridiidae, Nesticidae) (Cyatholipidae, Synotaxidae))))))). The monophyly of Tetragnathidae (including metines and nephilines), the symphytognathoids, theridiid-nesticid lineage, and Synotaxidae are confirmed. Cyatholipidae are sister to Synotaxidae, not closely related to either the Araneidae or Linyphiidae, as previously suggested. Four new clades are proposed: the cyatholipoids (Cyatholipidae plus Synotaxidae), the 'spineless femur clade' (theridioid lineage plus cyatholipoids), the 'araneoid sheet web builders' (linyphioids plus the spineless femur clade), and the 'reduced piriform clade' (symphytognathoids plus araneoid sheet web builders). The results imply a coherent scenario for web evolution in which the monophyletic orb gives rise to the monophyletic araneoid sheet, which in turn gives rise to the gumfoot web of the theridiid-nesticid lineage. While the spinning complement of single pairs of glands does not change much over the evolution of the group, multiple sets of glands are dramatically reduced in number, implying that derived araneoids are incapable of spinning many silk fibers at the same time.

ZooKeys, 2012

Citation: Griswold CE, Audisio T, Ledford JM (2012) An extraordinary new family of spiders from c... more Citation: Griswold CE, Audisio T, Ledford JM (2012) An extraordinary new family of spiders from caves in the Pacific Northwest (Araneae, Trogloraptoridae, new family). ZooKeys 215: 77-102.