Artoria wilkiei, Framenau, Volker W. & Baehr, Barbara C., 2018

Framenau, Volker W. & Baehr, Barbara C., 2018, The wolf spider genus Artoria in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Australia (Araneae, Lycosidae, Artoriinae), Evolutionary Systematics 2 (2), pp. 169-241 : 169

Artoria wilkiei sp. n. Figs 44, 45 A–H, 48I Wilkie’s Coastal Runner

Material examined.

Holotype male, Wyrrabalong National Park (33°16 ’48” S, 151°32 ’45” E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA), 2 June 1997, L. Wilkie, pitfall trap (AM KS128072). Paratypes: 1 male, same data as holotype (AM KS62060). 1 male, 1 female, Beecroft Peninsula, northern headland of Jervis Bay (35°03 ’03” S, 150°47 ’21” E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA), 10 June 1999, pitfall trap, L. Gibson (AM KS63496); 2 males, Beecroft Peninsula, northern headland of Jervis Bay (35°03 ’03” S, 150°47 ’21” E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA), 20 August 1999, pitfall trap, L. Gibson, (AM KS63508); 1 male, same data (ZMH A0002174).

Other material examined.

32 males, 1 female in 26 records (all NSW). AUSTRALIA: New South Wales: 1 male, Booderee National Park, southern headland of Jervis Bay, 35°08 ’49” S, 150°45 ’05” E (AM KS62999); 5 males, Booti Booti National Park, 32°16'S, 152°31'E (AM KS50514, KS50684, KS50686, KS50689); 2 males, Booti Booti National Park, 32°14 ’28” S, 152°32 ’50” E (AM KS63919, KS63921); 3 males, Booti Booti National Park, south of Forster - northern end of dirt track to Jane’s Corner, 32°14 ’28” S, 152°32 ’50” E (AM KS62063-4, KS62070); 1 male, Doubleduke State Forest, junction of Range Road & Lockleys Road, 29°14 ’04” S, 153°11 ’10” E (AM KS39702); 2 males, Munmorah State Recreation Area, first access track to beach from southern entrance to park, 33°13 ’23” S, 151°35 ’01” E (AM KS62061-2); 6 males, Myall Lakes National Park, 3.8km South of Mungo Brush campsite, 32°34 ’46” S, 152°17 ’27” E (AM KS62057-8, KS62069, KS62071); 4 males, Myall Lakes National Park, Lemontree Beach access, 32°37 ’56” S, 152°12 ’28” E (AM KS62066-7, KS62072); 1 male, Wyrrabalong National Park, 33°16 ’44” S, 151°32 ’51” E (AM KS63918); 1 male, Wyrrabalong National Park, 33°16 ’47” S, 151°32 ’40” E (AM KS62068); 1 male, Wyrrabalong National Park, 33°16 ’51” S, 151°32 ’37” E (AM KS62056); 1 male, Wyrrabalong National Park, along track through old carpark area at northern end of park, 33°17 ’37” S, 151°33 ’38” E (AM KS62059).

Etymology.

The specific epithet is a patronym in honour of Mr Lance Wilkie, who collected the holotype.

Diagnosis.

The pedipalp morphology in males of A. wilkiei sp. n. is most similar to that of A. barringtonensis sp. n. and A. bondi sp. n. based on the small, spoon-shaped tegular apophysis. However, A. wilkiei sp. n. is the only species amongst these in which the tegular apophysis has a small tooth pointing ventrally, visible in retrolateral view (Fig. 45F). The female epigyne of A. wilkiei sp. n. is similar to that of A. mungo sp. n., but the spermathecal heads are much larger and touch medially.

Description.

Male (based on holotype AM KS128072).

Total length 4.3.

Prosoma. Length 2.3, width 1.7; carapace yellow-brown dusted with grey and indistinct light radial pattern; lateral margin and central band pale yellow, broader in cephalic area (Fig. 45A); sternum pale, with darker margin (Fig. 45B).

Eyes. Diameter of AME: 0.09; ALE: 0.07; PME: 0.30; PLE: 0.22.

Anterior eye row. Straight, evenly spaced.

Chelicerae. Dark brown.

Labium. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 45B)

Pedipalp coxae. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 45B).

Legs. Femur of leg I very dark to almost black; other legs pale, femora and tibia with darker annulations; tarsi and metatarsi lighter (Fig. 45A).

Opisthosoma. Length 2.0, width 1.2; with pale anterior cardiac mark and dark grey irregular pattern (Fig. 45A). Venter pale with darker pattern around spinnerets (Fig. 45B); spinnerets dark grey.

Pedipalps. Tibia as long as broad; cymbium tip with 4-5 macrosetae (Fig. 45E, F); dorsal scopula patch present; tegular apophysis small, distally scooped, with tiny tooth, basally narrowed to 1/2, tip rounded not reaching margin of cymbium (Fig. 45E, F); palea as long as wide; basoembolic apophysis triangular with rounded tip; embolus semicircular; terminal apophysis tip triangular (Fig. 48I).

Female (based on paratype AM KS63496).

Total length 5.1.

Prosoma. Length 2.6, width 1.8; carapace and sternum colouration as male (Fig. 45C, D).

Eyes. Diameter of AME 0.09, ALE 0.07, PME 0.32, PLE 0.25.

Anterior eye row. Strongly procurved, evenly spaced.

Opisthosoma. Length 2.8, width 1.6; opisthosoma similar colour as male but cardiac mark indistinct (Fig. 45C, D).

Epigyne. Wider than long, strongly sclerotised lateral posterior tips, atrium whitish (Fig. 45G); spermathecal heads massive, subglobular and almost touching medially, spermathecal stalks attached posteriorly and very short (Fig. 45H).

Life history and habitat preferences.

Artoria wilkiei sp. n. appears to prefer open, coastal habitats such as sand dunes and heath. The species is autumn- to winter-mature with males collected from April to August. A single female was collected in June.

Distribution.

Artoria wilkiei sp. n. has so far only been found in coastal NSW in the South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), NSW North Coast (NNC) and Sydney Basin (SYB) IBRA regions (Fig. 44).