REVSYS: Systematics and taxonomy of the tarantula spider genus Aphonopelma (Araneae: Mygalomorphae: Theraphosidae)

狼蛛科，通常被称为“狼蛛”，是一组蜘蛛中最多样化的分支，包括活门蜘蛛和漏斗网蜘蛛。狼蛛是世界上最大的蜘蛛，寿命可达30多年，声名狼藉。尽管兽角蛛种类繁多，声名狼藉，但对它们的研究相对较少。狼蛛的分类混乱不堪，被广泛认为是“分类学和命名学上的噩梦”；该科的成员形态相似，分类群仅以一个或几个标本为基础，很少有研究采用基于进化的方法进行分类。在REVSYS项目中，杰森·邦德和布伦特·亨德里克斯森将执行一项为期三年的计划，通过研究最多样化（90种）和“最接近家园”的属，来刺激龙骨虫系统学的复兴。作为这项研究的一部分，他们将利用多种类型的特征证据（形态和分子），通过进化、生物地理和阿尔法分类学的修订来加强对蛇蛛属生物多样性的记录，开发在线分类学钥匙和工具，通过在北美和中美洲广泛的田野调查收集稀有蜘蛛，并培训学生进行基础的生物多样性研究。培训下一代的分类学和有机体专业知识形成了贯穿该项目的研究努力的一条线索。教育目标将是为学生提供综合训练，包括研究解决系统学，生物多样性保护和进化生物学中的基本概念问题。这个项目的计算机化和外联目标将大大提高对蛇骨蛛多样性的一般可及性，并提高这些蜘蛛对公众的可见度。最后，狼蛛独特的生活史特征，加上其在全球生物多样性热点地区的广泛分布，使其成为保护相关研究和评估的理想模型。

The spider family Theraphosidae, commonly referred to as 'tarantulas', is the most diverse lineage among a group of spiders that includes trapdoor and funnel web spiders. Tarantulas are the world's largest spiders, can live for over 30 years and have decidedly infamous reputations. Despite their diversity and notoriety, theraphosid spiders are relatively understudied. The classification of tarantulas is in shambles and is widely regarded as 'a taxonomic and nomenclatural nightmare'; members of the family are morphologically similar, taxa have been described on the basis of only one or few specimens, and few studies have taken an evolution-based approach to classification. In this REVSYS project Jason Bond and Brent Hendrixson will carry out a three-year plan to stimulate a renaissance in theraphosid systematics by tackling the most diverse (90 species) and 'close to home' genus, Aphonopelma. As part of this study they will employ multiple types of character evidence (morphological and molecular) to enhance biodiversity documentation of the genus Aphonopelma through evolutionary, biogeographic, and alpha-taxonomic revisions, develop online taxonomic keys and tools, collect rare spiders through extensive fieldwork in North and Central America, and train students in basic biodiversity research.Training the next generation of taxonomic and organismal expertise forms a thread that runs through this project's research endeavors. The educational goal will be to provide students comprehensive training in theraphosid systematics that involves research addressing fundamental conceptual issues in systematics, biodiversity conservation, and evolutionary biology. The computerization and outreach objectives of this project will greatly enhance general accessibility to theraphosid diversity and increase the visibility of these spiders to the general public. Finally, the unique life history characteristics of tarantulas, coupled with their extensive distribution throughout global biodiversity hotspots, makes this group an ideal model for conservation related studies and assessments.