|
|
Article: Molecular insights into the biogeography and species status of New Zealand's endemic Latrodectus spider species; L. katipo and L. atritus (Araneae, Theridiidae).
- Article from:
- Journal of Arachnology
- Article date:
- September 1, 2005
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 American Arachnological Society. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
|
ABSTRACT. New Zealand's endemic sand dune Latrodectus widow spider species, L. katipo and L. atritus, possess behavioral and physiological attributes likely to promote dispersal over large distances. Morphological, physiological and behavioral similarities between L. katipo and L. hasselti, an Australian endemic, suggest gene flow may occur across the Tasman Sea. In this study we examine intraspecific and interspecific genetic relationships within the ND1 gene region between L. katipo, L. atritus, L. hasselti and L. hesperus to assess whether the genetic evidence supports current taxonomic species designations. We found low interspecific pairwise distances among L. katipo ...