Instances of sexual size dimorphism (SSD) provide the context for rigorous tests of biological rules of size evolution, such as Cope's rule (phyletic size increase), Rensch's rule (allometric patterns of male and female size), as well as male and female body size optima. In certain spider groups, such as the golden orbweavers (Nephilidae), extreme female-biased SSD (eSSD, female:male body length $\ge$2) is the norm. Nephilid genera construct webs of exaggerated proportions, which can be aerial, arboricolous, or intermediate (hybrid). First, we established the backbone phylogeny of Nephilidae using 367 anchored hybrid enrichment markers, then combined these data with classical markers for a reference species-level phylogeny. Second, we used the phylogeny to test Cope and Rensch's rules, sex specific size optima, and the coevolution of web size, type, and features with female and male body size and their ratio, SSD. Male, but not female, size increases significantly over time, and refutes Cope's rule. Allometric analyses reject the converse, Rensch's rule. Male and female body sizes are uncorrelated. Female size evolution is random, but males evolve toward an optimum size (3.2-4.9 mm). Overall, female body size correlates positively with absolute web size. However, intermediate sized females build the largest webs (of the hybrid type), giant female Nephila and Trichonephila build smaller webs (of the aerial type), and the smallest females build the smallest webs (of the arboricolous type). We propose taxonomic changes based on the criteria of clade age, monophyly and exclusivity, classification information content, and diagnosability. Spider families, as currently defined, tend to be between 37 million years old and 98 million years old, and Nephilidae is estimated at 133 Ma (97-146), thus deserving family status. We, therefore, resurrect the family Nephilidae Simon 1894 that contains Clitaetra Simon 1889, the Cretaceous GeratonephilaPoinar and Buckley (2012), Herennia Thorell 1877, IndoetraKuntner 2006, new rank, Nephila Leach 1815, Nephilengys L. Koch 1872, Nephilingis Kuntner 2013, Palaeonephila Wunderlich 2004 from Tertiary Baltic amber, and TrichonephilaDahl 1911, new rank. We propose the new clade Orbipurae to contain Araneidae Clerck 1757, Phonognathidae Simon 1894, new rank, and Nephilidae. Nephilid female gigantism is a phylogenetically ancient phenotype (over 100 Ma), as is eSSD, though their magnitudes vary by lineage.

Centre for Behavioural Ecology and Evolution College of Life Sciences Hubei University 368 Youyi Road Wuhan Hubei 430062 China

Department of Biological Science Florida State University 319 Stadium Dr Tallahassee FL 32306 4295 USA

Department of Biology University of Vermont 316 Marsh Life Science Building 109 Carrigan Drive Burlington VT 05405 0086 USA

Department of Entomology and Nematology University of California Davis 1 Shields Drive Davis CA 95616 USA

Department of Entomology National Museum of Natural History Smithsonian Institution 10th and Constitution NW Washington DC 20560 0105 USA

Department of Entomology Plant Pathology and Nematology University of Idaho 875 Perimeter Dr MS 2329 Moscow ID 83844 2329 USA

Department of Life Sciences National Chung Hsing University No 145 Xingda Rd South Dist Taichung City 402 Taiwan

Department of Scientific Computing Florida State University 400 Dirac Science Library Tallahassee FL 32306 4120 USA

Division of Animal Evolutionary Biology Department of Zoology Faculty of Science Charles University Viničná 7 128 44 Prague Czech Republic

Evolutionary Zoology Laboratory Biological Institute ZRC SAZU Novi trg 2 SI 1001 Ljubljana Slovenia

Evolutionary Zoology Laboratory Department of Organisms and Ecosystems Research National Institute of Biology Večna pot 111 SI 1000 Ljubljana Slovenia

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