Arrenurus (Megaluracarus) rostratus subsp. mutilus Smit 2002

Arrenurus (Megaluracarus) rostratus mutilus Smit, 2002

(Fig. 9)

Material examined. Northern Territory. 2/2/0, Manton Dam, 12° 51.726 S 131° 0 7.148 E, 24 September 2005; 2/4/0, Lake Jabiru, 12° 40.264 S 132° 50.436 E, 27 September 2005.

Distribution. Western Australia and the Northern Territory.

Remarks. Arrenurus rostratus mutilus has been erected based on the truncated posterior part of the female. In my collection females are present without this truncated posterior part, and these are assigned to A. rostratus. Two types of males are present, one with an indented posterior margin and with the setae between D4 and the posterior cauda margin distanced (Fig. 9, only setal base illustrated), and one with a pointed posterior cauda margin and the setae between D4 and the posterior cauda margin close to each other (Fig. 8). Both types co-occur. I checked material previously collected from northern Australia. All females from these collections belonged to A. rostratus mutilus, and the accompanying males had the setae distanced. Shape of the cauda is variable within A. rostratus (Walter 1929). Males with the setae distanced are therefore assigned to A. rostratus mutilus, males with the setae close to each other to A. rostratus. However, males from Sulawesi (Smit 1996), assigned to A. rostratus, have the setae distanced. More material is needed from a wider area before any final conclusions can be drawn on the taxonomic status of the Australian material.