Raw read sequence data from target capture of ultraconserved elements for Rakaia harvesters (Opiliones) Raw sequence reads
Aotearoa New Zealand is home to a remarkable number of endemic taxa, some of which have existed on the archipelago since before the breakup of Gondwana. The mite harvesters (suborder Cyphophthalmi), tiny non-spider arachnids which dwell in forest leaf litter and caves, are one such group. The mite harvester family Pettalidae exhibits a classic Gondwanan distribution with notable diversity in New Zealand, which is home to three pettalid genera. Our research focuses on the phylogeny of the most widespread and speciose New Zealand genus: Rakaia Hirst 1925. Through phylogenetic analysis, we provide a window into patterns of ancient diversification and infer historical biogeographic trends. We generated subgenomic data through target enrichment of ultraconserved elements (UCEs) using an Arachnida-specific probe set; the 50% and 75% taxon-occupancy matrix retrieved 848 and 585 loci respectively. In addition to generating the first fully-resolved phylogeny of Rakaia, we performed a molecular clock analysis and tested for shifts in diversification rates in order to explore the effect of geological events such as the Oligocene Drowning, the uplift of the Southern Alps, and forest habitat contraction and fragmentation during the Last Glacial Maximum.