Elongated pedicillate setae: a putative sensory system and synapomorphy of spiders.(Report) From: Journal of Arachnology | Date: September 1, 2007| Author: Agnarsson, Ingi; Coddington, Jonathan A.; May-Collado, Laura J. | COPYRIGHT 2007 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.Copyright information

ABSTRACT. We survey spiders from 43 families, 62 genera, and three arachnid outgroups for the presence and diversity of elongated pedicillate setae (EPS)--a complex system of probably sensory setae hitherto undocumented outside Theridiidae. Although not present in all spiders, these setae are sufficiently widespread to suggest they are primitively present in the order. Because they are absent in related arachnids, they appear to be a synapomorphy of spiders. Based on the morphology...