This project is progressing well. We have found additional specimens in our last AMNH trip. That is completing our distribution assessment of the genus that is endemic to the west coast. The genus will include 3 species (2 new), all troglophiles, including one totally eyeless species.

We have morphological and molecular data for the three species.

A difficulty occur for the assessment of phylogenetic relationships with morphology; the sister genus to Oaphantes appeared especially difficult to select as Oaphantes does not look like anything else. It may, however, be vaguely related to Agyneta.

We decided to add a second molecular component in the project to see if molecules support the selection of Agyneta as sister to Oaphantes. I have sequenced a few Linyphiinae genera (Agyneta, Sisicus, Bathyphantes, Arcuphantes, Improphantes, Tenuiphantes, Taranucnus, Tapinopa, Porrhomma, Neriene, Microneta, Drapetisca, Oreonetides, Linyphantes, Helophora, Pithyohyphantes, and Oreophantes), two Erigoninae (Walckenaeria and Phanetta) and Pimoa (sister to Linyphiidae), to have a first cut through Linyphiinae with molecules. Results are expected this week, that should be exciting!