The systematics of the hahniid spiders of austral South America (Araneae, Hahniidae)

The hahniids of austral South America are revised, a cladistic hypothesis of their relationships is presented, and the first test of the monophyly of Hahniidae is provided. New familial limitations are proposed and the putative sister group defined. In particular, Lehtinen's (1967) contention that Hahniidae comprises three subfamilies, (Hahniinae, Cybaeolinae, and Cryphoecinae) was critically examined. The analysis renders Hahniidae (sensu Lehtinen), polyphyletic. Lehtinen's Cybaeolinae is also paraphyletic, while evidence indicates that Cryphoecinae is monophyletic. The monophyly of the genus Cybaeolus and its status as sister to the rest of Hahniidae is established and its subfamilial status redefined. A discussion of the biogeography and natural history of the hahniines and cybaeolines of austral South America is presented. Comparative data is presented on the tracheal system and spinneret topology of hahniids. Higher-level relationships within Dictynoidea are also discussed. A general discussion of the biodiversity crisis is presented together with a historical and economic overview of Chile's forest policies in relation to the severe threat such policies pose to the country's native forests.