Tetralycosa floundersi Framenau & Hudson 2017, sp. nov.

Tetralycosa floundersi sp. nov.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: 8E26D710-05D2-4A60-A0A4-E1753048B0CB

Figs 18 A–D; 19A–C; 21

Diagnosis

This species is most closely related to T. alteripa, T. baudinettei sp. nov. and T. rebecca sp. nov., but the tegular apophysis in males of T. floundersi sp. nov. is much slimmer than in any of these species and the epigyne of females has a distinct and unique posterior rim that widens laterally.

Etymology

The specific epithet is a patronym in honour of the late Ben Flounders, prominent natural historian in Whyalla (South Australia), and who first introduced the junior author (P.H.) to salt lakes.

Type material

Holotype

AUSTRALIA: ♂, Western Australia, Lake Moore, 29°25′44″ S, 117°47′49″ E, 10 Mar. 2002, P. Hudson leg. (SAM NN21900).

Paratype

AUSTRALIA: ♀, data as holotype (SAM NN21901).

Description

MEASUREMENTS. ♂ holotype, SAM NN21900 (♀ paratype, SAM NN21901): TL 9.31 (9.68), CL 5.36 (4.89), CW 3.95 (3.48). Eyes: AME 0.29 (0.28), ALE 0.24 (0.24), PME 0.67 (0.63), PLE 0.57 (0.57). Row of eyes: AE 1.36 (1.46), PME 1.74 (1.69), PLE 2.40 (2.40). Sternum length/width: 2.26/1.97 (2.16/1.79). Labium (length/width) 0.70/0.74 (0.68/0.76). AL 4.23 (4.61), AW 3.01 (3.67). Legs: Lengths of segments (femur + patella/tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): Pedipalp 2.44+2.72+ – +1.83 = 6.99, I 4.61+4.98+4.61+1.88 = 16.08, II 4.79+4.89+5.26+1.97 = 16.91, III 4.61+4.79+5.73+2.07 = 17.20, IV 5.36+5.55+6.96+2.35 = 20.22 (Pedipalp 1.88+1.97+ – +1.32 = 5.17, I missing, II femur 3.76 (all other segments missing), III 3.57+3.85+4.14+1.79 = 13.35, IV 4.32+4.70+4.98+2.07 = 16.07).

VARIATION. Only known from holotype male and paratype female.

Male (based on holotype, SAM NN21900)

CARAPACE (Fig. 18A). Cephalic area highest in lateral view and steep vertical slopes in frontal view; brown with indistinct broad and light lateral bands; indistinct darker radial pattern; black in eye region; covered with brown setae but with white setae in lateral bands in eye region and few anteriorly of fovea; brown bristles mainly around PME and some posteromedially of PLE; eight long bristles below AE; one long bristle between AME.

EYES. Row of AE shorter than row of PME; row of AE strongly procurved; ocular trapeze wider than long.

CHELICERAE. Light brown; covered with white setae; three promarginal teeth with the median one largest; three widespread retromarginal teeth of similar size.

STERNUM (Fig. 18B). Light yellow-brown with dense grey pigmentation; covered with brown setae, which are longer towards margins.

LABIUM. Brown, basally and laterally darker; front end truncate and white. PEDIPALPS (Fig. 19A–B). Tegular apophysis curved, forming a long and thin hook (Fig. 19A); terminal apophysis not dissected as only known from single male.

ABDOMEN. Light yellow-brown, anterior half with dark grey mottled pattern that dissolves laterally; yellow-grey lanceolate heart mark in anterior half; covered with white setae, brown setae in darker areas (Fig. 18A). Venter yellow-brown, medially with grey pigmentation. Spinnerets light yellow-brown (Fig. 18B).

LEGS. Leg formula IV>III>II>I; coxae and femora dark grey, in particular ventrally; other segments brown and metatarsi and tarsi somewhat darker; hair-like setae on metatarsi II (and few on I). Spination of leg I: femur: three dorsal, two apicoprolateral, four retrolateral; patella: one prolateral, one retrolateral; tibia: three ventral pairs, two prolateral, two retrolateral; metatarsus: three ventral pairs, two prolateral, two retrolateral, one apicoventral, one apicoprolateral, one apicoretrolateral.

Female (based on paratype, SAM NN21901)

CARAPACE (Fig. 18C). As male, slightly lighter.

EYES. As male.

CHELICERAE. Brown, white setae; dentition as male.

STERNUM AND LABIUM (Fig. 18D). As male.

ABDOMEN. As male, but the ventral grey pattern consists only of two longitudinal stripes. Spinnerets yellow-brown (Fig. 18 C–D).

EPIGYNE. Ventral view (Fig. 19C): wider than long, distinct posterior ridge that widens laterally. Dorsal view: not examined, only known from single female.

LEGS. Leg formula unknown (only legs III and IV complete). Femora and tibiae light brown, dorsally with indistinct grey annulation. Spination of leg I: unknown (legs I missing).

Life history and habitat preferences

The male and female types of T. floundersi sp. nov. were found on the surface of a salt lake in March. Fig. 19A–C. Tetralycosa floundersi sp. nov., ♂, holotype (SAM NN21900) and ♀, paratype (SAM NN21901). A–B. Left male pedipalp, ventral and retrolateral view. C. Female epigyne, ventral view. Scale bar: A–B = 1.55 mm; C = 0.87 mm.

Distribution

Only known from Lake Moore in southern Western Australia (Fig. 21).