Kochosa tongiorgii, Framenau & Castanheira & Yoo, 2023

Framenau, Volker W., Castanheira, Pedro De S. & Yoo, Jung-Sun, 2023, The artoriine wolf spiders of Australia: the new genus Kochosa and a key to genera (Araneae: Lycosidae), Zootaxa 5239 (3), pp. 301-357 : 350

Kochosa tongiorgii sp. nov.

( Figs 27 , 30A–E )

Holotype. 1 male, Davies Creek National Park (17º00'S 145º34'E, Queensland, AUSTRLIA), 26 November 1992 – 15 April 1993, R. J. & S. Raven, P. & E. Lawless ( QM S83707 ).

Etymology. The specific epithet is a patronym for the late Paolo Tongiorgi (1936–2018) for his contribution to wolf spider taxonomy. The senior author has fond memories of Paolo’s support during his work on Arctosa cinerea Fabricius, 1777 (e.g., Framenau 1995).

Other material examined. 4 males, 1 juvenile, same data as holotype ( QM S19781 ) .

Diagnosis. Males of K. tongiorgii sp. nov. differ from all other species within the genus by the unique colouration of the carapace; dense white setae cover it almost entirely except for the flanks of the cephalic area ( Fig. 30A ). The long and tapering embolus is opposed by a sclerotised, digitiform process originating at the retrolateral edge of the apical division, unique within the genus ( Fig. 30E ). The female of K. tongiorgii sp. nov. is unknown.

Description

Male ( based on holotype, QM S83707 ) .

Cephalothorax. Dorsally dark brown, covered almost entirely (except cephalic flanks) by white, short and stout setae ( Fig. 30A ). Sternum brown ( Fig. 30B ).

Abdomen. Dorsally dark brown with continuous cardiac mark, dense cover of white shot and stout setae obscure colouration as on carapace ( Fig. 30A ). Venter olive-grey, centrally somewhat lighter ( Fig. 30B ).

Pedipalps ( Fig. 30C–E ). Embolic base exposed; tegular apophysis broadly subtriangular; embolus narrow and long; apical part of embolus supported by trough-shaped structure; sclerotised process opposing embolus.

Legs. Brown, femora darkest; spination of leg I: femur: 3 dorsal; tibia: 3 ventral pairs and 1 apicoventral; metatarsus: 4 ventral pairs, 1 prolateral, 1 apicoprolateral.

Measurements. TL 3.46, CL 1.93, CW 1.25. Eyes: AME 0.07, ALE 0.06, PME 0.17, PLE 0.17. Row of eyes: AE 0.47, PME 0.63, PLE 0.70. Sternum (length/width) 0.81/0.72. Labium (length/width) 0.24/0.28. AL 1.62, AW 0.94. Legs: Length of segments: Pedipalp 0.71+0.67+-+0.64=2.02, I 1.21+1.60+1.03+0.74=4.58; II 1.21+1.49+1.0 3+0.71=4.44, III 1.10+1.28+1.14+0.64=4.16; IV 1.67+1.92+1.82+0.89=6.30.

Variation. Size (range, mean ± s.d.): TL 3.46–3.71, 3.57 ± 0.15; CL 1.93–2.20, 2.06 ± 0.10; CW 1.25–1.40, 1.30 ± 0.06, n = 5. There was not major difference in colour pattern in any of the males, although the abdomen was somewhat lighter in one specimen.

Female. Unknown.

Life history and habitat preferences. Unknown.

Distribution. Kochosa tongiorgii sp. nov. is only know from the type locality, Davies Creek National Park, north-eastern Queensland ( Fig. 27 ).

Figures

FIGURE 27. Distribution records of Kochosa tasmaniensis sp. nov., K. timwintoni sp. nov., K. tongiorgii sp. nov. and K. westralia sp. nov.

FIGURE 30A–E. Kochosa tongiorgii sp. nov., male holotype, QM S83707. A, B, male habitus, dorsal and ventral view; C, D, male, left pedipalp, ventral and retrolateral view; E, male, left pedipalp, apical section. Scale bars: A, B, 1.0 mm; C, D, 0.2 mm; E, 0.1 mm.