Poltys species

Smith, H. M., 2006, A Revision of the Genus Poltys in Australasia (Araneae: Araneidae), Records of the Australian Museum 58, pp. 43-96 : 53-54

Key to Australian Poltys species

Note that some coloration characters are good for recent specimens in alcohol but may be confusing for older material. Unfortunately, due to intraspecific variation in somatic morphology, most key characters are genitalic.

1 Male ........................................................................................................................................... 2

—— Female ........................................................................................................................................ 9

2(1) TA present in palp; embolus fairly stout; PM absent–small and does not project dorsally between MA and conductor ( Fig. 61–62), or if PM large then a rounded curved plate ( Fig. 153) ................................................................................................................................... 3

—— TA absent from palp; embolus long and thin with groove ( Fig. 209); PM heavily sclerotized and projecting between MA and conductor like a clenched fist ( Fig. 209) ..................... ( P. laciniosus -group) .......... 6

3(2) TA of palp flanks embolus retrolaterally, both more-or-less equal length; conductor large ( Figs 61, 154). Anterior eye tubercle gently curved between median eyes, not obviously extended to a blunt point ( Fig. 150) .......................................................................................... 4

—— Visible part of palp TA dorsal to embolus ( Fig. 108); conductor reduced and displaced towards MA, beneath embolus ( Fig. 108). Eye tubercle long and ends in blunt point (accentuated by tufted setae) between median eyes ( Fig. 98) ......................................... ( P. columnaris -group)........ 8

4(3) Embolus and TA arise retrolaterally in palp, not obscured by cymbium ( Fig. 154); PM a large curved plate ( Fig. 153). Eye tubercle well defined, narrow at base in lateral view ( Fig. 148); carapace creamy-white, bright yellow–orange on dorsal eye tubercle; sternum pale with dark border (NE Qld) ............................................... P. frenchi

—— Embolus and TA origin in palp obscured by cymbium ( Fig. 63); PM an angular sclerotized bump ( Figs 61–62). Eye tubercle short and broad; carapace and sternum usually olive-brown (usually with some orange on eye tubercle) ( Figs 56, 58) .......... ( P. illepidus -group) ............ 5

5(4) Embolus sharply curved in prolateral view of palp ( Figs 61, 68) ........................................................................................................................ P. illepidus

—— Embolus longer and more openly curved ( Figs 64, 70) ............................................. P. stygius

6(2) Palpal conductor strongly twisted towards the prolateral (Figs 209, 219); embolus long and strongly curved distally, curve radius usually outside cymbium in ventral view ( Fig. 209); usually with well-developed protrusions above PME on dorsal eye tubercle ( Figs 200–201) ........................................................................ P. laciniosus

—— Palpal conductor less twisted, more or less directed apically; embolus shorter and gently curved, radius usually within cymbium in ventral view ( Figs 212, 215); with or without protrusions above PME on dorsal eye tubercle ......................................................................... 7

7(6) Tip of embolus with large translucent but strongly reflective flange ( Fig. 215 arrowed, 220). Protrusions above PME variable (eastern coast of Australia) ............................................................................................ P. noblei

—— Tip of embolus with only small flange or barb ( Figs 212, 222). Without protrusions above PME (Lord Howe Island) .......................................... P. grayi

8(3) Eye tubercle massive, clypeus>1× AME ( Figs 95, 98), usually with leaf-shaped macrosetae on distal patellae ( Fig. 99) (northeastern Queensland) ................................................................................... P. jujorum

—— Eye tubercle less massive, clypeus <1× AME ( Figs 100, 102); often with elongate flattened macrosetae on distal patella ( Fig. 103) (northern NT and Kimberley) ................................................................. P. milledgei

9(1) Epigyne widest point not at base, or if basal, then much wider than long ( Figs 46, 104). Four prolateral cheliceral teeth (alternate large small large small—LsLs, Fig. 44) .................................................................. 10

—— Epigyne widest at base, usually long ( Fig. 182). Usually only three prolateral cheliceral teeth (missing first small tooth— LLs, Fig. 163) .............................................................................. ( P. laciniosus -group) ....... 13

10(9) Epigyne much wider than long; foveae rounded pockets ( Fig. 105). Eye tubercle long and ends in blunt point between median eyes (accentuated by tufted setae) ( Fig. 84). Glossy black maculae on dorsal abdomen just anterior to spinnerets ( Fig. 94) ....................................................................................... ( P. columnaris -group)...... 15

—— Epigyne as wide as long or up to 2× wider; foveae elongate, more-or-less open ( Figs 51, 139). Anterior eye tubercle gently curved between median eyes, not obviously extended to a blunt point ( Fig. 130). Dorsal abdomen without glossy black maculae .......................................................................................................................... 11

11(10) Epigyne spade-like (as in cards), often only lightly sclerotized and delicate, widest point at less than half length ( Figs 138, 140); foveae wide and shallow ( Figs 139–140). Eye tubercle well defined; carapace usually pale creamy-grey ( Figs 127, 130) (northeastern Queensland) .................................................................................. P. frenchi

—— Epigyne widest point usually at half length or further, spade to fan-shaped; foveae narrow and angled or wide and deep ( Figs 46–55). Eye tubercle broader at base; carapace usually dark (except variable amount of orange–yellow on and posterior to eye tubercle) ( Figs 33, 35) ....................................... ( P. illepidus -group) ........... 12

12(11) Epigynal foveae narrow and often boomerang-shaped; median plate and ridge often quite short ( Figs 47, 49–51) ....................................... P. illepidus

—— Epigynal foveae wide and deep, often paddle-shaped; median plate and ridge often longer, extending more deeply into epigynal groove ( Fig. 53, 55) ...................................................................................... P. stygius

13(9) Epigyne tip broad and bluntly rounded (but rim often translucent and may confuse the outline) ( Figs 182, 184); median ridge strongly reduced away from base (less so in Kimberley specimens), producing a single large fovea ( Figs 183, 185, 188). Carapace dark; usually with well- developed protrusions above PME on dorsal eye tubercle ( Figs 159, 174)........................................................................................................ P. laciniosus

—— Epigyne tip bluntly to sharply pointed (but some exceptions) ( Figs 189, 195); median plate continues from base as a strong ridge, producing two distinct foveae ( Figs 192, 194). Carapace fuscous to creamy-white; with or without protrusions above PME on dorsal eye tubercle ( Figs 172–173) ........................................................................... 14

14(13) Epigyne margins converge almost straight from base to tip, forming neat triangular plate, tip often quite acute ( Figs 193, 195). Protrusions above PME variable (eastern coast) ................................................. P. noblei

—— Epigyne margins usually parallel near base before converging towards tip, tip usually a rounded point ( Fig. 189). Without protrusions above PME ( Fig. 175) (Lord Howe Island) ................................................................................................................... P. grayi

15(10) ALE almost midway between median eyes and PLE ( Fig. 85) (northeastern Queensland) ................................................................................... P. jujorum

—— ALE distinctly closest to median eyes ( Fig. 90) (northern NT and Kimberley) ................................................................................................... P. milledgei