Evolution of the jumping spiders (Salticidae)

intro to project

Name of the
Bavirecta

 

Jumping spiders are small, diurnal hunters remarkable for their excellent vision, various body forms and behaviours. They are known from all non-polar terrestrial ecosystems. With more than 6053 species described in 632 genera jumping spiders are largest spider family. However, their above genus level phylogenetic relationships are not well understood. This project aims to place the islands Salticidae in a phylogenetic context using different sequencing approaches and advanced bioinformatic pipelines to better understand the evolutionary history of the family.

 

Caption Details
Multilocus genetic and morphological phylogenetic analysis reveals a radiation of shiny South Asian jumping spiders (Araneae, Salticidae). 

 

Research Team

  • Ms. Nilani Kanesharatnam - MPhil (Reading)
  • Ms. Dilini Bopearachchi - MPhil (Reading)
  • Ms. Abira Satkunanathan - MPhil (Reading)

Funding

  • National Institute of Fundamental Studies
  • National Science Foundation
  • National Research Council
  • Alexander von Humboldt Foundation