An inordinate fondness for Zalmoxis: explosive evolution of Zalmoxidae (Arachnida, Opiliones) goes undetected in Kanaky | New Caledonia

Kanaky | New Caledonia is an exceptional biodiversity hotspot, home to a vast number of endemic lineages including many invertebrate groups. We investigate a relatively understudied radiation of Zalmoxidae (Arachnida, Opiliones) in Kanaky, with the aim of determining whether the rich diversity stemmed from a single or multiple colonization event(s). To do so we assembled the first genomic-scale dataset of this family, with particular focus on the Kanaky lineages, using ultra-conserved element (UCE) sequencing techniques. We find evidence for monophyly of the Kanaky zalmoxids, suggesting that there was a single colonization of the archipelago from neighboring lineages in the South Pacific. We further document explosive evolution of Zalmoxis on the archipelago, comparing it with prior taxonomic work on the family and finding a plethora of novel forms. There is a clear need for greater sampling and systematic study of this highly diverse clade of archipelagic harvesters.