LYCOSINAE Sundevall, 1833

Framenau, Volker W. & Baehr, Barbara C., 2007, Revision of the Australian wolf spider genus Dingosa Roewer, 1955 (Araneae, Lycosidae), Journal of Natural History 41 (25 - 28), pp. 1603-1629 : 1605-1618

Subfamily LYCOSINAE Sundevall, 1833

Dingosa Roewer, 1955

Lycosa Latreille, 1804 (in part): L. Koch 1877, p 930 –932; Hickman 1967, p 80.

Pardosa C. L. Koch, 1847 (in part): Simon 1909, p 191 –192; McKay 1979, p 225 –229; McKay 1985a, p 101 –105; McKay 1985b, p 85.

Allocosa Banks, 1900 (in part): Guy 1966, p 33, 47, 63.

Geolycosa Montgomery, 1904 (in part): Roewer 1955a, p 243; McKay 1973, p 380. Dingosa Roewer 1955a, p 240 (nomen nudum); Roewer 1955b, p 762 –763.

Type species. Lycosa simsoni Simon, 1898 , by original designation ( Roewer 1955b) (gender feminine).

Diagnosis

Species of the genus Dingosa differ from all other species within the Lycosidae by a combination of somatic and genitalic characters. The cephalic area of the prosoma is elevated ( Figure 2A ), the light median band of the prosoma has two short and longitudinal dark lines between fovea and PLE, and there is a narrow median light band between the eyes ( Figure 1A–H ). The opisthosoma has a unique serrated cardiac mark ( Figure 1A–H ). Legs are comparatively longer than in many other Lycosinae , in particular in males (average ratio leg length to prosoma width: leg 154.7, leg 254.5, leg 354.4, leg 455.9; n 54 species). In comparison, this leg ratio is much lower for the species of the Australian genus Venatrix (leg 153.6, leg 253.2, leg 353.0, leg 454.2; data for 17 species derived from Framenau and Vink 2001). The embolic division is unusually large for members of the Lycosinae occupying at least half the length of the cymbium cavity, with long and curved terminal apophysis and embolus ( Figures 2C , 3A , 5A , 6A ). The tegular apophysis is elongated and points more or less apically, in contrast to most Lycosinae in which it points retrolaterally.

Description

Medium-sized wolf spiders (TL 6.50–15.00). Males smaller than females. Prosoma longer than wide, dorsal profile with distinctly elevated cephalic region ( Figure 2A ). Flanks of cephalic region steep in frontal view ( Figure 2B ). Dorsal shield of prosoma brown to dark brown with light median and submarginal bands. Median band with two short dark lines between PLE and fovea, sometimes forming a V. Narrow white line of white setae medially between eyes. AME larger than ALE, AE row shorter than PME row; AE row slightly procurved ( Figure 2B ). Chelicerae with three promarginal teeth, with the median largest and three retromarginal teeth of equal size. Labium about as long as wide, but generally little longer than wide in males and little wider than long in females. Opisthosoma dorsally light grey to dark olive-grey with distinct darker serrated cardiac mark in anterior half, accentuated by light lateral bands ( Figure 1A–H ). Leg formula IV.I.II.III. Legs brown with longitudinal dark pattern ( D. serrata , D. simsoni ) or indistinct light patches ( D. humphreysi , D. murata ). Spination of legs: males: femur: three dorsal, two apicoprolateral, two retrolateral ( D. humphreysi , D. serrata only), one apicoretrolateral (missing in D. murata ); patella: one prolateral, one retrolateral; tibia: one dorsal in apical half, three ventral pairs, two prolateral, two retrolateral; metatarsus: three ventral pairs, two prolateral, one retrolateral, one apicoventral, one apicoprolateral, one apicoretrolateral. Females: three dorsal, two retrolateral (missing in D. humphreysi ), two apicoprolateral, one apicoretrolateral; patella: one prolateral, one retrolateral; tibia: three ventral pairs, two prolateral; metatarsus: three ventral pairs, one apicoventral.

Male pedipalp with undivided, relatively narrow tegulum. Tegular apophysis elongated, pointing more or less apically, its tip straight or curved ventrally. Subtegulum narrow and situated basally on bulb. Embolic division large, terminal apophysis semicircular and broad at its tip, embolus originating prolaterally on embolic division and semicircular, long and relatively thin. Cymbium tip without macrosetae or spines.

Female epigyne with inverted T-shaped median septum (indistinct in D. serrata ). Spermathecal heads somewhat elongated and sometimes with distinct anterior tip ( D. humphreysi , D. murata ). Spermathecal stalks short.

Remarks

The genus Dingosa belongs to the subfamily Lycosinae as the male pedipalp has a transverse tegular apophysis (although somewhat elongated apically) with a sinuous channel on the dorsal surface ( Dondale 1986; Murphy et al. 2006). The closest relative of this genus may be found in the monotypic Australian genus Mainosa Framenau, 2006 ( Framenau 2006a) . Similar to Dingosa , Mainosa builds a turret around the entrance of their burrow and has very long legs, in particular in males. However, male and female genitalia show considerable differences and the coloration of spiders, with Mainosa having light transverse bars on an otherwise blackish opisthosoma, is very different.

The four species of Dingosa can be separated into two distinct groups based on somatic and genital morphology. Dingosa simsoni and D. serrata have very distinct serrated bands on the opisthosoma, whereas the tooth-like shapes on these bands are comparatively flat in D. humphreysi and D. murata . These two groups are also evident when comparing genital morphology. Males of both D. humphreysi and D. murata have a tooth basally on the tegular apophysis in the male pedipalp that is absent in the other two species, and the lateral edges of the transverse part of the median septum in the female epigyne curve anteriorly, but not so in D. simsoni and D. serrata .

Dingosa simsoni ( Simon, 1898)

( Figures 1A, B , 2A–F , 4 )

Lycosa simsoni Simon 1898, p 29 ; Rainbow 1911, p 273; Bonnet 1957, p 2622; McKay 1973, p 379; McKay 1985b, p 83.

Dingosa simsoni (Simon) : Roewer 1955a, p 240; Roewer 1959, p 360, Figure 199; Platnick 1998, p 550.

not Lycosa simsoni Simon sensu Hickman 1967, p 80 , Figures 142, 143, Plate 13, Figure 3 (misidentification).

Pardosa serrata (L. Koch) : McCullough 2000, p 35 –36, Figures 3.17–3.20, 3.25 (not Pardosa serrata sensu L. Koch, 1877 , misidentification).

Material examined

Holotype: female, Launceston (41 ° 269S, 147 ° 089E, Tasmania, Australia) ( MHNP 4640 ) . Other material examined. Australia: New South Wales: one female, 5 juv., Broken Hill , 17 miles S, 32 ° 129S, 141 ° 279E ( QM S64938) ; one female with eggsac, Cobar, 31 ° 299S, 145 ° 509E ( AM KS84121 ) ; one female, Cobar, 30 miles E, 31 ° 299S, 146 ° 209E ( AM KS84122 ) ; two males, Fowlers Gap, 31 ° 049S, 141 ° 439E ( AM KS43591 ) ; one female with eggsac, Round Hill, Euabalong, 33 ° 009S, 146 ° 249E ( AM KS84120 ) . Northern Territory: one male, Glen of Palms, 3 km S, Finke National Park , 24 ° 059500S, 132 ° 509000E ( SAM NN16779 ) ; one female, Katherine District , 14 ° 289S, 132 ° 169E ( NMV K8125 ) ; two females, Roper River region , 14 ° 499S, 134 ° 089E ( NMV K8165 ) . South Australia: one female, Brookfield Conservation Park, 34 ° 219S, 139 ° 289E ( SAM NN16699 ) ; two females, Bunyeroo Creek , ABC Range, 31 ° 249S, 138 ° 329E ( SAM NN16732–3 ) ; three females, Catacombs, N of Knowles Cave , 31 ° 079S, 130 ° 379E ( SAM NN16694–6 ) ; one female, Clover Lake, Calperum Station , 34 ° 009S, 140 ° 479E ( SAM NN16700 ) ; one male, Commonwealth Hill Station , 29 ° 579S, 134 ° 109E ( SAM NN16726 ) ; one female, Hambidge, 33 ° 239S, 135 ° 579E ( SAM NN16750 ) ; one male, Hanging Knoll, 2 km W, 26 ° 199230S, 130 ° 239360E ( SAM NN16770 ) ; one male, two females, 1 juv., Koonalda, 6 km W, 31 ° 279S, 129 ° 519E ( AM KS30556 ) ; one female, Lake Callabonna , 29 ° 529000S, 140 ° 089020E ( SAM NN16693 ) ; three females, Lake Gairdner , 32 ° 189000S, 135 ° 509200E ( SAM NN16728–30 ) ; one female with eggsac, Lake Gilles , 32 ° 479S, 136 ° 489E ( SAM NN16753 ) ; two females, Moonarie Gap , Wilpena Pound, 31 ° 369S, 138 ° 379E ( SAM NN16734–5 ) ; one male, Mt Cooperinna , 17.5 km NNE, 26 ° 199200S, 130 ° 079560E ( SAM NN16773 ) ; three males, Mt Cooperinna , 17.5 km NNE, 26 ° 199200S, 130 ° 079560E ( SAM NN16771–2 ) ; four males, Mt Kintore , 7 km NNW, 26 ° 299560S, 130 ° 279220E ( SAM NN16774–7 ) ; one male, Mt Kintore , 8.4 km NW, 26 ° 299570S, 130 ° 269200E ( SAM NN16778 ) ; one male, Munyaroo Conservation Park, 33 ° 199500S, 137 ° 149000E ( SAM NN16754 ) ; one female, Para Hills, Adelaide, 34 ° 489S, 138 ° 399E ( SAM NN16711 ) ; four males, Renmark , 29 km NNW, 33 ° 319S, 140 ° 249E ( QM S24514 ) ; two females, Sambot WH (near), Arcoona Creek , Gammon Ranges, 30 ° 269S, 139 ° 029E ( SAM NN16736–7 ) ; one female with spiderlings, Scott Creek , near Morgan, 34 ° 069S, 139 ° 409E ( SAM NN16704 ) ; one male, Scrubby Peak, 4 km S, 32 ° 319S, 135 ° 199E ( SAM NN16727 ) ; one female, one female with eggsac, Terowie, 33 ° 409480S, 138 ° 579440E ( SAM NN16721–2 ) ; one female, Whyalla, 33 ° 029S, 137 ° 349E ( SAM NN23326 ) ; one male, one female with eggsac, Whyalla Fauna Park, 33 ° 029S, 137 ° 349E ( SAM NN16766 , SAM NN23325 ) ; two females, Wipena Pound Range, Flat E of Moonarie Gap , 31 ° 369S, 138 ° 379E ( WAM 71 /637–8) ; two females, Wudinna Hill, 32 ° 599440S, 135 ° 329520E ( SAM NN16767– 8 ) . Tasmania: one female, Mulgrave Crescent, Launceston , 41 ° 269S, 147 ° 089E ( QM S64937) . Victoria: one female, Lake Albacutja, NW corner, ca 15 km WSW of Yaapeet , 36 ° 049S, 141 ° 559E ( NMV K9264 ) ; one female, Little Desert , 36 ° 339S, 141 ° 389E ( QM S64936 ) ; three females, Point Nepean, 38 ° 189S, 144 ° 399E ( AM KS84119 ) . Western Australia: two females, two females with eggsac , one female with spiderlings, Western Australia (no exact location,? Perth region , W. J. Lane collection; see Lane 1965) ( WAM T 53880, T53884–6 , T 53900) ; one male, Boolathana Station , 24 ° 249490S, 113 ° 409300E ( WAM T 51281) ; three males, Boolathana Station , 24 ° 249490S, 113 ° 399470E ( WAM T 51289) ; four males, Boolathana Station , 24 ° 249490S, 113 ° 409300E ( WAM T 51288) ; five males, Boolathana Station , 24 ° 249490S, 113 ° 429240E ( WAM T 51286) ; two females, Boorabin , 31 ° 139S, 120 ° 199E ( WAM T51251, T51253) ; two females, Boorabin Rock , 31 ° 129S, 120 ° 179E ( WAM T 51249) ; one female, Borden, N of, at junction Kojonup / Gnowangerup / Borden Roads, 34 ° 009S, 118 ° 169E ( WAM 69 /915) ; one female, Burnabinmah Station , 28 ° 479S, 117 ° 229E ( WAM 69 /819) ; one male, Bush Bay , 25 ° 079340S, 113 ° 499220E ( WAM T 51290) ; five males, Bush Bay , 25 ° 049400S, 113 ° 369370E ( WAM T 51285) ; one female, Canning Stock Route, Well 10–1, 24 ° 519S, 121 ° 399E ( NMV K8170 ) ; two females, Carnegie Homestead, 0.5 km W, Carnegie camp, 25 ° 489S, 122 ° 589E ( WAM T53725–6 ) ; one male, Doodlakine , ca 5 km NW, 31 ° 369S, 117 ° 489E ( WAM T 55264) ; one male, Erikin Road , 31 ° 579510S, 117 ° 569050E ( WAM T 51248) ; 11 males, two females, Exclamation Lake , 32 ° 469260S, 121 ° 269490E ( WAM T 45892, T 45894, T 45896, T45898–9 , T51228, T51230) ; five males, Exclamation Lake , 32 ° 509280S, 121 ° 239170E ( WAM T 51229) ; six males, Exclamation Lake , 32 ° 519430S, 121 ° 249040E ( WAM T 51231) ; one male, Exclamation Lake , 32 ° 499180S, 121 ° 249450E ( WAM T 51232) ; one male, Exclamation Lake , 32 ° 469S, 121 ° 269E ( WAM T 45849) ; one male, one female, Exclamation Lake area , 32 ° 479S, 121 ° 249E ( WAM T45843, T45857) ; one female with eggsac, Forrest , 30 ° 449S, 127 ° 419E ( WAM T 53661) ; one female, Goomalling Road, 31 ° 339S, 116 ° 299E ( WAM 70 /194) ; one female, Goongarrie , 29 ° 559S, 121 ° 159E ( WAM T 53850) ; one male, Grasspatch, Fitzgerald Locality 41, 33 ° 149S, 121 ° 439E ( WAM T 62462) ; one female, Great Northern Highway , 214 mile peg (no exact location) ( WAM 69 /85) ; one female, Harrismith East, 32 ° 569S, 117 ° 519E ( WAM 70 /191) ; two females, 1 juv., Hyden, The Humps, 32 ° 279S, 118 ° 549E ( WAM 71 /1425–7) ; one male, Jouerdie Nature Reserve , 30 ° 389110S, 118 ° 259390E ( WAM T 51264) ; one male, Kadji Kadji , SE of, N along powerline, 29 ° 109180S, 116 ° 239160E ( WAM T 51259) ; one male, Kellerberrin area , 31 ° 209S, 117 ° 459E ( WAM T 62304) ; three males, Kennedy Range National Park , 24 ° 339050S, 114 ° 579320E ( WAM T 51282) ; one male, 4 juv., Lake Mollerin, West , 30 ° 319410S, 117 ° 339540E ( WAM T 51260) ; one male, Lake Ninan Shire Reserve, East , 30 ° 579090S, 116 ° 399290E ( WAM T 51254) ; one male, Mardathuna Station , 24 ° 259430S, 114 ° 309000E ( WAM T 51283) ; one male, Mt Elvire , 2.5 km 160 ° from, 29 ° 169400S, 119 ° 399000E ( WAM T 53745) ; six males, Mt Narryer Station , 26 ° 359S, 115 ° 559E ( WAM T 53621) ; eight males, Nanga Station , 26 ° 289400S, 114 ° 049340E ( WAM T51284, T51287) ; three females, Narembeen Camp Site, 32 ° 049S, 118 ° 249E ( WAM 69 /908–10) ; one female, Narrogin Reserve , 32 ° 569S, 117 ° 119E ( WAM 69 /1011) ; one male, North Dragon Rocks Nature Reserve , 32 ° 419270S, 118 ° 589300E ( WAM T 51263) ; one female, Numbudding , W of (N of train track), 31 ° 119490S, 117 ° 329510E ( WAM T 53723) ; one female, Premier Downs Station , 74 km N of Rawlina – Wharburton Road, Great Victoria Desert, 29 ° 499S, 125 ° 439E ( SAM NN16781 ) ; one female, South Cunaring Hill , 32 ° 259S, 116 ° 489E ( WAM 68 / 514) ; one female with eggsac, South of Walebing , 30 ° 429S, 116 ° 139E ( WAM 69 /833); WA , one male, one female, Tammin, 31 ° 389S, 117 ° 299E ( WAM 69 /912, 69/914) ; one female, Tarin Rock Reserve , 33 ° 069S, 118 ° 139E ( WAM 71 /1432) ; one female, Toolibin, 32 ° 579S, 117 ° 379E ( WAM 70 /190) ; four males, West of Karlgarin, Reservoir Road , 32 ° 329000S, 118 ° 319090E ( WAM T 51257) ; three males, West Perenjori Nature Reserve , 29 ° 279520S, 116 ° 129360E ( WAM T 51268) ; one female with eggsac, Wiluna, 3 km S, Yeelirrie turnoff, 26 ° 519140S, 120 ° 179380E ( SAM NN16782 ) ; two females, Wongan Hills, 30 ° 549S, 116 ° 439E ( WAM 70 /192–3) ; one female, Wongan Hills, WA Agriculture Department Research Station , 30 ° 549S, 116 ° 439E ( WAM 70 /189) ; one male, Wydgee Homestead , 17 km, 125 ° from, 28 ° 569S, 117 ° 589E ( WAM T 53750) ; one female with eggsac, Yalgoo Road, 8 miles (no exact location) ( WAM 68 /856) ; one female, Yelbeni , W of, 31 ° 109240S, 117 ° 399320E ( WAM T 53724) ; one male, Yenyanning Lakes , 32 ° 139380S, 117 ° 139080E ( WAM T 51267) ; one male, Yokrakine Rock, 31 ° 259S, 117 ° 319E ( WAM 71 /1422) ; one female, Yorkrakine, 31 ° 229S, 117 ° 359E ( WAM 69 /911) .

Diagnosis

Dingosa simsoni is closely related to D. serrata , but differs in the curled tip of the tegular apophysis of the male pedipalp (keeled in D. serrata ). The epigyne of D. simsoni is much shorter than that of D. serrata and has a distinct and continuous anterior margin whereas the anterior pockets are separated in D. serrata .

Description

Male. Based on WAM T 62462.

Prosoma, dorsal shield ( Figures 1A , 2A ): dark brown; indistinct black radial pattern; white radial lines of white setae; light brown median band widening from fovea towards PLE and here including two short and dark brown longitudinal lines that form an open V; narrow central line of white setae between eyes from behind PLE to clypeus and diagonal line of white setae between PME and PLE; distinct light brown submarginal bands; dark brown, blotchy marginal bands; white setae in median and submarginal bands; otherwise black setae; few brown macrosetae around eyes; six bristles below AE, one long bristle between AME.

Sternum: brown; white setae which are longer towards margins.

Labium: longer than wide; dark brown; front end truncated and white.

Chelicerae: light brown with few darker discolorations; basally covered with dense white setae.

Pedipalps ( Figure 2C, D ): terminal apophysis with broad tip, embolus strong with pointed tip; tip of tegular apophysis curled ventrally ( Figure 2E ).

Opisthosoma ( Figure 1A ): dark brown to black with laterally serrated median band; light yellow-brown lines laterally of serrated band; lateral sides of opisthosoma dark olive-brown; serrated band with silvery setae, serrated corners somewhat darker as they carry dark brown setae; white setae in yellow-brown bands. Venter light brown, somewhat darker centrally; covered with white setae, but a few brown setae laterally and in a patch centrally in front of epigastric furrow. Spinnerets brown.

Legs: leg formula VI.I.II.III; light brown, femora with some brown longitudinal banding; tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi of leg I darker than other legs; scopulate setae ventrally on metatarsi of leg I. Spination of leg I: femur: three dorsal, two apicoprolateral, one apicoretrolateral; patella: one prolateral, one retrolateral; tibia: one dorsal in apical half, three ventral pairs, two prolateral, two retrolateral; metatarsus: three ventral pairs, two prolateral, one retrolateral, one apicoventral, one apicoprolateral, one apicoretrolateral.

Female. Based on WAM T 73725.

Prosoma, dorsal shield ( Figure 1B ), and chelicerae: as male.

Sternum: yellow-brown; covered with very long white setae.

Labium: wider than long; dark brown; front end truncated and white

Opisthosoma: as male ( Figure 1B ). Venter yellow-brown, covered with white setae. Spinnerets: brown.

Epigyne, ventral view ( Figure 2E ): median septum inverted T-shaped, but anterior end widening; anterior margin continuous.

Epigyne, dorsal view ( Figure 2F ): heads of spermathecae elongated triangular; stalks of spermathecae short.

Legs: leg formula IV.I.II.III; coloration as male but distal segments of leg I not darker. Spination of leg I: femur: three dorsal, two retrolateral, two apicoprolateral, one apicoretrolateral; patella: one prolateral, one retrolateral; tibia: three ventral pairs, two prolateral; metatarsus: three ventral pairs, one apicoventral.

Measurements. Male WAM T 62462 (female WAM T 73725): TL 10.25 (12.63), PL 5.13 (5.38), PW 4.00 (4.38). Eyes: AME 0.21 (0.24), ALE 0.15 (0.18), PME 0.45 (0.45), PLE 0.42 (0.41). Row of eyes: AE 1.12 (1.33), PME 1.39 (1.61), PLE 1.79 (2.03). Sternum (length/width) 2.13/1.88 (2.13/1.88). Labium (length/width) 0.64/0.73 (0.82/0.76). OL 4.38 (7.13), OW 2.88 (5.25). Legs: lengths of segments (femur+patella/tibia+metatarsus+ tarsus5total length): pedipalp 1.56+1.88+ – +1.8855.31, I 5.00+6.25+4.63+2.25518.13, II 4.75+5.63+4.75+2.38517.50, III 4.50+5.13+4.63+2.50516.75, IV 5.88+6.88+7.00+ 3.00522.75 (pedipalp 1.56+2.38+ – +1.7555.69, I 4.38+5.25+3.13+1.75514.50, II 4.00+ 4.88+3.25+2.00514.13, III 3.75+4.38+3.38+2.00513.50, IV 5.00+6.13+5.25+2.50518.88).

Variation. Males (females) (range, mean¡SD): TL 7.80–12.75, 9.68¡1.55; PL 4.20– 5.85, 5.10¡0.52; PW 3.15–4.35, 3.80¡0.43; n 59 (TL 8.40–15.00, 11.59¡1.75; PL 4.20–7.35, 5.32¡0.84; PW 3.00–5.25, 3.86¡0.58; n 523).

Life history and habitat preferences

Dingosa simsoni is winter-mature. Adult spiders can be found between April, when the first males appear in search for females, and October. Females with eggsacs have been found as early as July, but appear to be most common in August and September.

Habitat descriptions for D. simsoni include ‘‘sand dunes’’ or ‘‘base of sand dunes’’, ‘‘remnant bushland’’, ‘‘open shrubland of Acacia ’’ and ‘‘mallee’’ or ‘‘mulga’’ suggesting a preference for open, sparsely vegetated habitats on sandy or eroded dry soils. McCullough (2000) illustrated D. simsoni (as Pardosa serrata ) and reported it common at his study site, near Burra, South Australia. Here, D. simsoni occupied stony, hard-packing clay–sandy loam soil on reefs of shale over sandstone bedrock. The vegetation consisted of patchy remnants of native and introduced grasses.

Remarks

Dingosa simsoni is currently associated with the common name ‘‘Grey Wolf Spider’’. However, this common name is based on the misidentification of this species by Hickman (1967) who re-described Lycosa simsoni as a large, trapdoor-building, burrowing wolf spider that is common in south-eastern Australia including Tasmania. It appears that Hickman (1967) did not examine the holotype female of D. simsoni but based his identification on a poor illustration of the epigyne in Roewer (1959). Some popular spider books and webpages (e.g. Mascord 1970, p. 108; Australian Museum 2003) continued to identify the common trapdoor-building Grey Wolf Spider from south-eastern Australia as Dingosa , perpetuating Hickman’s (1967) misidentification. The Grey Wolf Spider illustrated by Hickman (1967) is an undescribed species of an unnamed genus of Australian wolf spiders to which Lycosa leucophaeoides (L. Koch, 1877) also belongs.

Walckenaer (1837) described the first wolf spider from Australia, Lycosa irrorata Walckenaer, 1837 , based on a male collected in Tasmania. The species is currently catalogued as nomen dubium ( Platnick 2007; based on Roewer 1955a). The type material could not be found in the MNHP, where Walckenaer’s material was expected to be housed (E.-A. Leguin, personal communication). The original description suggests that this species could be a Dingosa , most likely D. simsoni as this species is the only representative of this genus in Tasmania. Walckenaer (1837, p 325) stressed in particular an elevated cephalic region (‘‘ Les quatre yeux des deux lignes postérieures sont portés sur un léger renflement du corselet ’’), which is very uncommon in Australian wolf spiders. However, the description is not detailed enough to undoubtedly support Lycosa irrorata as a senior synonym of D. simsoni .

Distribution

Mainland Australia south of 24 ° S latitude and Tasmania ( Figure 4 ) .

Dingosa humphreysi (McKay, 1985) , n. comb.

( Figures 1C, D , 3A–D , 4 )

Pardosa humphreysi McKay 1985a, p 101 –103, Figure 1a–c, e, g, h , Plate 1; Platnick 1989, p 378.

Material examined

Holotype: male, Lake Cronin (32 ° 229150S, 119 ° 499300E, Western Australia, Australia), 4– 10 February 1981, W. F. Humphreys et al., WAM Goldfields Survey site LCR 7 , mallee/ Triodia lunette, pitfall trap ( WAM 84 /602) . Paratypes: eight males, data as holotype ( WAM 84 /603–7, QM S409 ) examined ; 15 males, Lake Cronin (32 ° 229300S, 119 ° 499350E, Western Australia), 4–10 February 1981, W. F. Humphreys et al., WAM Goldfields Survey site LCR 8 , mallee/ Triodia , pitfall trap ( WAM 84 /608–22) ; four males, Lake Cronin (32 ° 239150S, 119 ° 459000E, Western Australia), 4–10 February 1981, W. F. Humphreys et al., WAM Goldfields Survey site LCR 5 ( WAM 84 /623–26) ; one female, Boorabin (31 ° 139S, 120 ° 139E, Western Australia), 24–29 March 1981, W. F. Humphreys et al., WAM Goldfields Survey site BNR 2, heath with occasional mallee ( WAM 84 /627) ; one female, Boorabin (31 ° 159S, 120 ° 049E, Western Australia), 24–29 March 1981, W. F. Humphreys et al., WAM Goldfields Survey BNR 1, Callitris heat/isolate, debris ( WAM 84 /628) ; three males, Goongarrie (29 ° 559200S, 121 ° 079550E, Western Australia), 10–16 March 1979, R . A. How , WAM Goldfields Survey site GGR 2, dune site, pitfall trap ( WAM 84 /629–31) ; eight males, Goongarrie (29 ° 559200S, 121 ° 079550E, Western Australia), 10–16 March 1979, R . A. How , WAM Goldfields Survey site GGR 3, dune base, pitfall trap ( WAM 84 /632–9) ; nine males, Goongarrie (29 ° 559200S, 121 ° 079550E, Western Australia), 10–16 March 1979, R . A. How , WAM Goldfields Survey site GGR 1, dune, pitfall trap ( WAM 84 /629–48) ; one female, Goongarrie (29 ° 559S, 121 ° 089E, Western Australia), 15–21 July 1981, W. F. Humphreys, WAM Goldfieds Survey site GGR 3, dune slack, litter turret ( WAM 84 /649) .

Other material examined. Australia: South Australia: five males, Hambidge , 33 ° 239S, 135 ° 579E ( SAM NN16743 , NN16745–6 , NN16749 , NN16751 ) ; one female, Keilira Station , 13 km N, 36 ° 359S, 140 ° 109E ( SAM NN16678 ) ; one male, one female, Ngarkat Conservation Park , 35 ° 479S, 140 ° 369E ( SAM NN16685 , NN16687 ) ; one male, one female, Ngarkat Conservation Park, Pinnaroo–Bordertown Road , 35 ° 489080S, 140 ° 489000E ( SAM NN16683 , NN16692 ) ; one male, Ngarkat Conservation Park, Pinnaroo–Bordertown Road , 35 ° 429140S, 140 ° 489000E ( SAM NN16682 ) ; one male, Ngarkat Conservation Park, Pinnaroo–Bordertown Road , 5 km N of S boundary, 35 ° 439310S, 140 ° 479480E ( SAM NN16688 ) ; one male, Ngarkat Conservation Park , border track, 6 km E Kirra, 35 ° 469160S, 140 ° 579400E ( SAM NN23324 ) two males, five females, Pinkawillinie Conservation Park , 33 ° 079S, 136 ° 009E ( SAM NN16755– 9 , NN 16762 , NN16764 ) . Victoria: one female, Little Desert , 36 ° 339S, 141 ° 389E ( QM S64935) . Western Australia: one male, WA, Lake Cronin , 32 ° 229150S, 119 ° 499300E ( WAM 84 /602) ; four males, Point Salvation , 7–8 km WNW, 28 ° 129S, 123 ° 369E ( WAM T 62372) ; 10 males, two females, Queen Victoria Springs Nature Reserve , 30 ° 149S, 123 ° 419E ( WAM T48546, T48555, T48559, T48586, T48629, T48734, T48802, T53111, T53114) .

Diagnosis

Somatic and genitalic characters place D. humphreysi close to D. murata . The longitudinal cardiac mark on the opisthosoma is less serrated than in D. simsoni and D. serrata in both species and males carry a small tooth at the base of the tegular apophysis of the male pedipalp. Males of D. humphreysi and D. murata can be distinguished by the shape of the tegular apophysis, which is curved apically in D. humphreysi but not so in D. murata . Females clearly differ in the shape of the epigyne. The median septum in D. humphreysi does not have truncated edges on the transverse part as evident in D. murata .

Description

Male. Based on WAM T 48586.

Prosoma, dorsal shield ( Figure 1C ): brown; indistinct dark brown radial pattern; light brown median band widening from fovea towards PLE and here including a V-shaped darker pattern; narrow median line of white setae between eyes; distinct light brown submarginal bands; indistinct narrow dark brown marginal bands; white setae in median and submarginal bands; otherwise brown setae; few brown macrosetae around eyes; four bristles below AE, one long bristle between AME.

Sternum: yellow-brown; white setae and fewer brown macrosetae.

Labium: as long as wide; brown; front end truncated and white.

Chelicerae: brown, light brown frontally; few white setae basally.

Pedipalps ( Figure 3A, B ): terminal apophysis semicircular, its tip broad and indented; embolus sickle-shaped; tegular apophysis with basal tooth and ventrally curled tip ( Figure 3B ).

Opisthosoma ( Figure 1C ): light brownish grey through a dense cover of light setae; brown cardiac mark in anterior half accentuated by dark edges of dark setae. Venter yellow; covered with white setae, brown setae in a patch centrally in front of epigastric furrow. Spinnerets brown.

Legs: leg formula VI.I.II.III; brown. Spination of leg I: femur: three dorsal, two apicoprolateral, two retrolateral, one apicoretrolateral; patella: one prolateral, one retrolateral; tibia: one dorsal in apical half, three ventral pairs, two prolateral, two retrolateral; metatarsus: three ventral pairs, two prolateral, one retrolateral, one apicoventral, one apicoprolateral, one apicoretrolateral.

Female. Based on WAM 84/649.

Prosoma, dorsal shield ( Figure 1D ): as male, submarginal bands less distinct.

Sternum and labium: as male.

Chelicerae: dark reddish brown; few white setae basally, few brown setae.

Opisthosoma ( Figure 1D ): olive-brown; dark brown longitudinal cardiac mark weakly serrated; irregular yellow-brown patches lateral of cardiac mark and in posterior half; silvery-white setae and few brown setae on cardiac mark. Venter yellow-brown, covered with white setae. Spinnerets: light brown.

Epigyne, ventral view ( Figure 3C ): median septum inverted T-shaped, its lateral ends reaching under the anterior pockets.

Epigyne, dorsal view ( Figure 3D ): heads of spermathecae with anterior tips; stalks of spermathecae short.

Legs: leg formula IV.I.II.III; brown; scopulate setae on metatarsi and tarsi of leg I and II. Spination of leg I: femur: three dorsal, two apicoprolateral, one apicoretrolateral; patella: one prolateral, one retrolateral; tibia: three ventral pairs, two prolateral, one retrolateral; metatarsus: three ventral pairs, one apicoventral.

Measurements. Male WAM T 48586 (female WAM 84/649): TL 11.25 (13.25), PL 5.75 (6.25), PW 4.00 (4.50). Eyes: AME 0.29 (0.35), ALE 0.17 (0.25), PME 0.52 (0.58), PLE 0.44 (0.52). Row of eyes: AE 1.17 (1.44), PME 1.38 (1.71), PLE 1.71 (2.19). Sternum (length/width) 2.25/1.88 (2.38/2.13). Labium (length/width) 0.67/0.67 (0.90/ 0.90). OL 5.38 (6.75), OW 3.13 (5.63). Legs: lengths of segments (femur+patella/ tibia+metatarsus+tarsus5total length): pedipalp 2.50 +2.25+ – +2.1356.88, I 5.63+7.13+ 6.13+3.13522.00, II 5.25+6.50+5.75+3.00520.50, III 5.00+6.25+6.13+3.00520.38, IV 6.88+8.13+7.63+3.63526.25 (pedipalp 2.38+2.75+ – +2.2557.38, I 4.50+5.63+3.63+ 2.25516.00, II 4.25+5.00+3.50+2.25515.00, III 4.25+4.75+3.75+2.13514.88, IV 5.63+ 6.50+5.75+2.88520.75).

Variation. Males (females) (range, mean¡SD): TL 7.35–10.50, 8.94¡0.96; PL 4.05– 5.85, 4.88¡0.56; PW 2.85–4.05, 3.45¡0.36; n 512 (TL 8.40–12.00, 10.15¡1.26; PL 4.35–5.70, 4.87¡0.49; PW 3.00–4.20, 3.46¡0.43; n 59).

Life history and habitat preferences

Adult spiders have mainly been found between February and July, peaking in April and March, which suggests reproductive activity in late summer and autumn. Females caring for brood have so far not been collected.

Habitat descriptions for this species include ‘‘dune shrubland’’, ‘‘dunes’’ and ‘‘dune bases’’, but also ‘‘ Trioida grassland’’ and ‘‘mallee’’ suggesting similar habitat preferences as D. simsoni .

Distribution

Western Australia, South Australia, into western Victoria ( Figure 4 ).

Figures

Figure 1. Photographs (dorsal view) of species of Dingosa. (A) Male of D. simsoni (Simon) from Grass Patch, Western Australia (WAM T62462); (B) female of D. simsoni (Simon) from Carnegie Homestead, Western Australia (WAM T53725); (C) male of D. humphreysi (McKay) from Hambidge, South Australia (SAM NN 16745); (D) female of D. humphreysi (McKay) from Goongarrie, Western Australia (WAM 84/649); (E) male holotype of D. murata sp. n. from Zuytdorp, Western Australia (WAM T51303); (F) female paratype of D. murata sp. n. from North Tarin Rock Nature Reserve, Western Australia (WAM 71/1428); (G) male of D. serrata (L. Koch) from Bold Park, Perth, Western Australia (WAM T58362); (H) female of D. serrata (L. Koch) from Murdoch University campus, Perth, Western Australia (WAM T62470).

Figure 2. Dingosa simsoni (Simon), male from Grass Patch, Western Australia (WAM T62462) and female from Numbudding, Western Australia (WAM T53723). (A, B) Male carapace, lateral and frontal view. (C, D) Left pedipalp, ventral and lateral views, respectively; (E, F) female epigyne, ventral and dorsal views, respectively. Scale bars: 1.00 mm (A, B); 0.50 mm (C, D); 0.10 mm (E, F).

Figure 3. Dingosa humphreysi (McKay), male from Queen Victoria Springs Nature Reserve, Western Australia (WAM T48586) and female from Goongarrie, Western Australia (WAM 84/649). (A, B) Left pedipalp, ventral and lateral views, respectively; (C, D) female epigyne, ventral and dorsal views, respectively. Scale bars: 0.50 mm (A, B); 0.10 mm (C, D).

Figure 4. Records of Dingosa in Australia. Dingosa simsoni (Simon) (full circles; 112 records); D. humphreysi (McKay) (light squares; 41 records).

Figure 5. Dingosa murata sp. n., male holotype from Zuytdorp, Western Australia (WAM T51303) and female from North Tarin Rock Nature Reserve, Western Australia (WAM 71/1428). (A, B) Left pedipalp, ventral and lateral views, respectively; (C, D) female epigyne, ventral and dorsal views, respectively. Scale bars: 0.50 mm (A, B); 0.10 mm (C, D).

Figure 6. Dingosa serrata (L. Koch), male from Baldivis, Western Australia (WAM T60074) and female from Murdoch University campus, Perth, Western Australia (WAM T62470). (A, B) Left pedipalp, ventral and lateral views, respectively; (C, D) female epigyne, ventral and dorsal views, respectively. Scale bars: 0.50 mm (A, B); 0.10 mm (C, D).