Systematic revision and cladistic analysis of Theraphosinae (Araneae: Theraphosidae)
Mygalomorph 1: 33-68.
Abstract
A systematic review and a phylogenetic analysis of the Theraphosinae is made. Most genera were represented by the type species and/or one or more species. As a result of this study, Acanthopelma and Holothele are transferred from Theraphosinae to Ischnocolinae incertae sedis; Melloleitaoina, Metriopelma, Plesiopelma, and Tmesiphantes are restored as valid genera; Butantania is removed from Dryptopelma and considered a junior synonym of Homoeomma; Ceropelma is designated a junior synonym of Plesiopelma; Dryptopelma is synonymized with Cyclosternum; Crypsidromus is synonymized with Lasiodora, and Grammostola is synonymized with Phrixotrichus. Apart from those new combinations created by the synonymy of genera, we established the following: Plesiopelma rectimanus (Mello-Leitão, 1923), from Hapalopus; Cyclosternum macropus (Ausserer, 1875), from Schizopelma; Paraphysa scrofa (Molina, 1788) from Phrixotrichus, and Paraphysa phryxotrichoides Strand, 1907 is placed as a junior synonym of Euathlus truculentus Ausserer, 1875. The 30 genera included in the Theraphosinae are diagnosed, figured, and a key is provided. The monophyly of Theraphosinae is supported and tested by additional characters. A data set of 30 taxa with 27 characters was analyzed. The most parsimonious tree was found and illustrated.