Clarifying the phylogenetic placement of the Eupoinae Maddison, 2015 with ultra-conserved element data (Araneae, Salticidae)

Abstract

The subfamily Eupoinae Maddison, 2015 is an enigmatic group of minute leaf-litter dwelling jumping spiders from Southeast Asia. Although previous molecular phylogenetic studies have suggested that it is one of the basal (non-salticine) lineages within jumping spiders, its exact placement remains unclear. In this study, ultra-conserved element data were collected from major salticid lineages to investigate the phylogenetic relationships of all salticid subfamilies, with a special focus on the placement of the Eupoinae.