Data from: Robust phylogenomics settles controversies of classification and reveals evolution of male embolic complex of the Laufeia clade (Araneae, Salticidae, Euophryini)

The Laufeia clade is a peculiar lineage of euophryine jumping spiders
showing elevated divergence of male genitalic structures, especially the
embolic complex that directly interacts with female genitalia during sperm
transfer. With the rapid growth of species discovery in the Laufeia clade,
the controversy in its classification has become a crucial problem. In
this study, we applied a phylogenomic approach using ultra-conserved
element data to infer the phylogeny of the Laufeia clade with extensive
taxon sampling. A comparative morphological study was also performed to
evaluate diagnostic characters and understand the evolution of male
embolic complex within the Laufeia clade. The results provide a strongly
supported phylogenetic framework and updated generic concepts for the
Laufeia clade. The updated genera within the Laufeia clade were all
recovered as monophyletic with well-defined synapomorphies identified
through character mapping on the phylogeny. Ancestral state reconstruction
analyses revealed that the Type I embolic complex was ancestral and
gradually evolved into the Type II and III embolic complex, and that some
shapes of embolus often evolved multiple times independently in different
lineages of the Laufeia clade. The shift from foliage dwelling to tree
trunk dwelling at the common ancestor of the Laufeia clade may have
facilitated the divergent evolution of male embolic complex in the Laufeia
clade. This study provides a solid foundation for future studies of
systematics and evolution of this group.