The suborders of spiders : a cladistic analysis (Arachnida, Araneae). American Museum novitates ; no. 2607

Abstract

"The methods of phylogenetic systematics are applied to the problem of the subordinal classification of spiders. Synapomorphies in external morphology, internal morphology, embrylogy, and karyology indicate that the Liphistiidae represent the sister group of all other Recent spiders. The two currently prevailing subordinal classifications of spiders (those of Bristowe and Gertsch) are rejected because they imply sister group relationships (bewteen the Liphistiidae and, in the first case all of, and in the second case some of, the mygalomorph spiders) documented only by symplesiomorphic characters. A return to the earlier classification of Pocock, recognizing two suborders (Mesothelae and Opisthothelae) and two infraorders of Opisthothelae (Mygalomorphae and Araneomorphae), is advocated"--P. [1].