Phylogenomic placement of a new genus and species of jumping spiders (Araneae: Salticidae: Spartaeini) based on UCE data

Recent phylogenomic studies have established a robust backbone relationship for the seven subfamilies of jumping spiders (Salticidae), and identified an enigmatic clade within the subtribe Spartaeina, which significantly contributes to the diversity of the subfamily Spartaeinae. However, the classification of this enigmatic lineage remained unresolved due to the availability of only one male specimen at that time. In this study, we extensively examined additional materials and obtained ultra-conserved element (UCE) data for more putative species of this lineage. The UCE phylogenetic results provided a comprehensive and strongly supported framework for the subtribe Spartaeina, and confirmed that the enigmatic clade is a distinct lineage, separate from genera with similar morphological traits. Coupled with morphological evidence, we describe a new genus, Protaeus gen. nov., and three new species: Protaeus nyarlathotep sp. nov., P. dracosquamus sp. nov., and P. gulliwingus sp. nov. We also revise the classification of three previously misplaced species into this new genus: P. jianfeng (Song & Zhu, 1998) comb. nov. (transferred from Portia), P. forcipiformis (Yang, Liu, Liu & Peng, 2017) comb. nov. (transferred from Spartaeus) and P. shiwandashan (Wang, Mi, Li & Xu, 2024) comb. nov. (transferred from Mintonia). Additionally, we redescribe the male of P. jianfeng and provide a description of the female for the first time. This study enhances our understanding of evolutionary relationships within Spartaeina and underscores the importance of further exploration within this diverse group.

近年来的系统基因组学研究已为跳蛛科（Salticidae）的7个亚科建立了稳健的主干系统发育关系，并在Spartaeina亚族中鉴定出一个神秘演化支，该演化支对Spartaeinae亚科的物种多样性贡献显著。然而，由于彼时仅存1头雄性标本，这一神秘谱系的分类地位始终未能得到解决。本研究对该谱系的额外标本材料进行了全面检视，并为更多疑似物种获取了超保守元件（ultra-conserved element, UCE）数据。UCE系统发育分析结果为Spartaeina亚族构建了一套全面且支持度极高的系统发育框架，证实该神秘演化支是一个独立于形态特征相似类群的独特演化支。结合形态学证据，我们描述了1个新属Protaeus gen. nov.，以及3个新种：Protaeus nyarlathotep sp. nov.、P. dracosquamus sp. nov.和P. gulliwingus sp. nov.。我们还将3个此前分类位置错误的物种修订归入该新属：P. jianfeng（Song & Zhu, 1998）comb. nov.（原归属Portia属）、P. forcipiformis（Yang, Liu, Liu & Peng, 2017）comb. nov.（原归属Spartaeus属）以及P. shiwandashan（Wang, Mi, Li & Xu, 2024）comb. nov.（原归属Mintonia属）。此外，我们重新描述了P. jianfeng的雄性个体，并首次对其雌性个体进行了形态描述。本研究增进了我们对Spartaeina亚族内演化关系的认知，同时强调了对该多样性类群开展进一步探索的重要性。