Leviana minima, Framenau & Kuntner, 2022

Framenau, Volker W. & Kuntner, Matjaz, 2022, The new Australian leaf-curling orb-weaving spider genus Leviana (Araneae, Araneidae), Evolutionary Systematics 6 (2), pp. 103-133 : 103

Leviana minima sp. nov.

Figs 14 , 15A-D , 16A-E

Type material.

Holotype male, Thornton Peak, N of Daintree (16°10'S, 145°22'E, Queensland, Australia), rainforest site 39, 610 m, November 1975, M. Gray, foliage (AM KS.131102).

Etymology.

The specific epithet is an adjective in apposition (minimus, Latin - smallest) and refers to the small size of the species in comparison to all other Leviana gen. nov. species.

Other material examined.

Australia: Queensland: 1 male, 1 female, Atherton Tableland, Rose Gums , 17°18'44"S, 145°42'9"E (NHMD 12189) ; 1 female, Bellenden Ker , 17°16'S, 145°51'E (QM S26350 ) ; 9 males, 5 females, 19 juv., same locality (QM S27694 ) ; 3 males, 8 females, 6 juv., Bellenden Ker Range, 17°16'S, 145°51'E (QM) ; 1 female, same locality (QM) ; 2 males, 1 female, 3 juv., Bellenden Ker , summit, 17°15'53"S, 145°51'29"E (QM S59262 ) ; 1 female, Cape Tribulation , 3 km W, 16°05'S, 145°28'E (QM) ; 2 males, 14 females, 3 juv., Cape Tribulation , 4.5-5km W, 16°05'S, 145°28'E (QM) ; 1 female, same locality (QM) ; 2 females, Cape Tribulation , 5 km W, 16°05'S, 145°28'E (QM) ; 1 male, Carbine Tableland, Devils Thumb , 16°23'48"S, 145°17'38"E (QM S29997 ) ; 3 females, 1 juv., Carbine Tableland, Devils Thumb , 16°23'48"S, 145°17'38"E (QM) ; 1 female, 1 juv., same locality (QM S29996 ) ; 1 male, same locality (QM S29987 ) ; 1 male, Cardwell Range, Upper Broadwater Creek Valley , 18°18'S, 145°56'E (QM) ; 1 male, same locality (QM) ; 1 male, 5 females, Chujeba Peak , 16°56'S, 145°39'E (QM S41534 ) ; 10 females, same locality (QM S41587 ) ; 4 females, same locality (QM S33587 ) ; 1 male, same locality (QM S41586 ) ; 3 females, Devils Thumb , 16°24'S, 145°18'E (QM) ; 1 female, Isley Hills , 17°02'52"S, 145°41'25"E (QM S58223 ) ; 1 female, Kirrama Range, Douglas Creek Road, 18°12'S, 145°45'E (QM) ; 2 males, 2 females, 1 juv., same locality (QM) ; 4 females, Lambs Head , 10 km W Edmonton, 17°02'S, 145°38'E (QM S41512 ) ; 1 female, same locality (QM S69379 ) ; 1 female, 3 juv., Malaan State Forest , 17°35'30"S, 145°36'45"E (QM) ; 1 female, Massey Range , 4 km W of Bellenden Ker, 17°15'45"S, 145°49'06"E (QM S59006 ) ; 12 males, 23 females, 6 juv., same locality (QM S80636 ) ; 1 female, Mossman Bluff Track, 5-10 km W Mossman, 16°28'S, 145°22'E (QM S33943 ) ; 1 female, Mossman, 11 km NW, near Plane Crash , 16°23'S, 145°17'E (QM S46822 ) ; 1 female, same locality (QM S25201 ) ; 1 female, Mt Bartle Frere , 17°23'S, 145°47'E (QM S75226 ) ; 1 male, same locality (QM) ; 1 female, same locality (QM) ; 8 males, 9 females, 5 juv., same locality (QM) ; 5 females, 1 juv., Mt Demi , summit, 7 km SW Mossman, 16°30'S, 145°19'E (QM S38179 ) ; 1 male, 2 females, 2 juv., Mt Fisher , 17°32'S, 145°33'E (QM) ; 2 females, 1 juv., same locality (QM) ; 1 male, same locality (QM S38148 ) ; 2 males, 2 females, Mt Fisher, Kjellberg Road , 17°32'S, 145°33'E (QM S46411 ) ; 3 females, same locality (QM S38143 ) ; 1 male, Mt Haig , 17°06'S, 145°36'E (QM S31456 ) ; 1 female, 2 juv., Mt Halcyon , 16°03'S, 145°25'E (QM S58261 ) ; 3 females, Mt Halcyon , summit, 16°03'16"S, 145°25'16"E (QM S58257 ) ; 1 female, same locality (QM S38634 ) ; 2 males, same locality (QM S38657 ) ; 1 male, 3 females, Mt Halifax , 19°07'S, 146°23'E (QM S17946 ) ; 7 males, 5 females, 5 juv., Mt Halifax , SE ridge, 19°07'S, 146°23'E (QM S17954 ) ; 1 male, Mt Hemmant , 16°07'S, 145°25'E (QM S41146 ) ; 1 male, Mt Hugh Nelson , SE shoulder, 17°30'05"S, 145°33'15"E (QM S59804 ) ; 2 females, Mt Kooroomool , summit, 7 km S, 17°54'S, 145°41'E (QM S47301 ) ; 1 female, Mt Lewis , 5.5 km N of, 16°35'S, 145°17'E (QM) ; 1 male, Mt Pieter-Botte , 16°04'S, 145°24'E (QM S32468 ) ; 1 male, Mt Sorrow summit, Cape Tribulation , 16°06'S, 145°26'E (QM) ; 4 females, Mt Williams , summit, 16°55'S, 145°40'E (QM) ; 1 female, Paluma Township , 19°00'S, 146°13'E (QM S59068 ) ; 4 males, same locality (QM S59066 ) ; 1 male, Roaring Meg Valley , 16°04'S, 145°25'E (QM S58277 ) ; 2 females, Roots and Saltwater Creeks Divide, via Mossman , 16°25'S, 145°16'E (QM S35959 ) ; 1 male, 6 females, Stewart Creek , 4 km NNE Mt Spurgeon, 16°24'19"S, 145°13'01"E (QM) ; 1 female, The Crater National Park , tower nearby, 17°27'S, 145°29'E (QM S38225 ) ; 2 females, 1 juv., Thornton Peak , 16°10'S, 145°22'E (QM) ; 8 females, 1 juv., Thornton Peak , 16°10'S, 145°22'E (QM) ; 3 females, same locality (QM) ; 2 males, 7 females, same locality (QM) ; 1 male, 7 females, same locality (QM) ; 1 male, 5 females, 3 juv., Thornton Peak , 11 km NE Daintree, 16°10'S, 145°22'E (QM) ; 11 females, 5 juv., Thornton Peak , N of Daintree, 16°10'S, 145°22'E (AM KS.600) ; 4 males, 11 females, 17 juv., Thornton Peak , N of Daintree, 16°10'S, 145°22'E (AM KS.498) ; 1 female, same locality (AM KS131103 ) ; 1 female, same locality (AM KS131104 ) ; 3 males, 16 females, 20 juv., same locality (AM KS.550) ; 1 male, 4 females, 1 juv., Upper Boulder Creek , 17°50'S, 145°54'E (QM) ; 1 female, Upper Boulder Creek Valley , 17°50'S, 145°54'E (QM) ; 2 males, 2 females, Upper Boulder Creek , 11 km NW Tully, 17°50'S, 145°54'E (QM) ; 1 female, Upper Boulder Creek, via Tully , 17°50'S, 145°54'E (QM) ; 2 females, Walter Hill Range , 17°47'S, 145°49'E (QM S41138 ) ; 1 male, same locality (QM S41113 ) ; 1 male, Windsor Tableland , 16°12'S, 145°05'E (QM) .

Diagnosis.

Leviana minima sp. nov. is the smallest of all species in the genus with all specimens 3 mm or less in total length. In contrast, no other Leviana gen. nov. specimen was measured less than 3.5 mm. The median apophysis of the male pedipalp is morphologically closest to L. mulieraria comb. nov., as it is not broadly lobed apically, but somewhat tapers into a round tip; however, it is narrower in L. mulieraria comb. nov. than in L. minima sp. nov. (Fig. 15 vs Fig. 17A ). Similarly, the epigyne of L. minima sp. nov. is most similar to that of L. mulieraria comb. nov. as the atrium of both is not bulging and has distinct, narrow lateral ridges (Fig. 16C, D vs Fig. 18C ). However, the lateral edges of the epigyne are much more protruding in posterior view in L. minima sp. nov. than in L. mulieraria comb. nov. (Fig. 16E vs Fig. 18D ).

Description.

Male (based on holotype; AM KS.131102). Total length 2.0. Carapace (Fig. 15A ) 1.1 long, 0.9 wide; uniformly light brown, centrally somewhat lighter posterior of cephalic area; few brown setae centrally; fovea indistinct elongate depression. Eyes: AME 0.09, ALE 0.05, PME 0.08, PLE 0.05; row of eyes: AME 0.23, PME 0.22, PLE 0.49. Sternum (Fig. 15B ) 0.5 long, 0.4 wide, yellowish-brown; dark grey pigmentation towards margins; few brown setae in anterior half. Labium 0.18 long, 0.11 wide; yellow-brown. Maxillae yellow-brown with dark pigmentation laterally. Chelicerae yellowish-brown; three retromarginal teeth of equal size, three promarginal teeth with the median largest. Legs: leg formula I> II> IV> III; light brown with some grey pigmentation and comparatively long, distinct setae, specifically on legs I and II; lengths of segments (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total leg length): pedipalp 0.2 + 0.1 + 0.1 + - + 0.3 = 0.7, I 1.1 + 0.5 + 0.8 + 0.8 + 0.4 = 3.6, II 0.9 + 0.4 + 0.7 +0.7 + 0.4 = 3.0, III 0.5 + 0.2 + 0.3 + 0.3 + 0.1 = 1.5, IV 0.7 + 0.2 + 0.5 + 0.5 + 0.3 = 2.2. Abdomen (Fig. 15A, B ) 1.1 long, 1.1 wide; ovoid; dorsally olive-grey but centrally lighter; covered with long light brown bristles; venter centrally olive grey lighter spots laterally, few brown setae; spinnerets olive brown.

Pedipalps (Fig. 15C, D ): median apophysis apically tapering into a rounded tip, basally with short spine in arch; terminal apophysis stout and sclerotised; embolus with short tip but hidden behind conductor in ventral view; conductor asymmetrically T-shaped.

Female (based on AM KS.131103; epigyne variation AM KS.131104). Total length 2.5. Carapace (Fig. 16A ) 1.2 long, 1.0 wide; light brown laterally with some grey pigmentation, centrally somewhat lighter; fovea shallow and poorly demarcated. Eyes: AME 0.11, ALE 0.05, PME 0.09, PLE 0.05; row of eyes: AME 0.27, PME 0.18, PLE 0.58. Sternum (Fig. 16B ) 0.6 long, 0.5 wide; yellowish-brown; faint grey pigmentation towards margins; few brown setae mainly in anterior half. Labium 0.14 long, 0.25 wide, colouration as male. Maxillae as male. Chelicerae yellowish-brown; frontally with dark grey pigmentation in basal half; three promarginal teeth, with the median largest; three retromarginal teeth of similar size. Legs: leg formula I> II> IV> III; light brown with some dark pigmentation, specifically apically on all femora and tibiae; metatarsi and tarsi darker; lengths of segments (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length of leg): pedipalp 0.3 + 0.1 + 0.2 + - + 0.4 = 1.0, I 1.2 + 0.4 + 0.9 + 0.9 + 0.5 = 3.8, II 1.1 + 0.5 + 0.8 + 0.8 + 0.4 = 3.56, III 0.7 + 0.3 + 0.4 + 0.4 + 0.3 = 2.1, IV 1.0 + 0.4 + 0.6 + 0.7 + 0.4 = 2.9. Abdomen (Fig. 16A, B ) 1.6 long, 1.5 wide; ovoid, slightly dorsoventrally compressed; dorsally with dark Leviana folium pattern that is lighter centrally, particularly in anterior half with large white guanine patches; venter as male; spinnerets olive-brown.

Epigyne (Fig. 16C-F ); wider than long, laterally with semicircular narrow rims; scape triangular with rounded tip; broken off half-way in most specimens (Fig. 14D ); lateral borders of epigyne protruding laterally in posterior view (Fig. 16E ).

Variation.

Males total length 1.8-2.1 (n = 4), females 2.0-3.0 (n = 12). Colour variations of this species mainly occur on the abdomen, where the Leviana folium pattern can be more or less distinct. The scape was broken off in all but two of the 12 females measured.

Life history and habitat preferences.

Mature females of L. minima sp. nov. have been found between October and June, and mature males between October and May. Curiously, no females were found in February and no males in January, indicating that there may be two reproductive periods throughout the year, one in spring and one in late summer.

Many of the specimens of L. minima sp, nov. were collected at altitudes from altitudes higher than 800 m, suggesting a preference for mountainous regions. Here the spiders have been largely found in rainforest. In contrast to other species of Leviana gen. nov., there are no records of L. minima sp. nov. that describe leaf-curling behaviour.

Distribution.

Leviana minima sp. nov. has only beен found in northern coastal Queensland between ca. 16°S and 19°S Latitude (Fig. 14 ).

Figures

Figure 14. Distribution records of Leviana folium sp. nov., L. minima sp. nov. and L. mulieraria comb. nov.

Figure 15. Leviana minima sp. nov., male holotype (AM KS. 131102). A. Habitus, dorsal view; B. Habitus, ventral view; C. Left male pedipalp, ventral view; left male pedipalp, dorsal view. Scale bars: 1 mm (A, B); 0.1 mm (C, D).

Figure 16. Leviana minima sp. nov., female (A, B, D AM KS. 131103; C, E AM KS. 131104). A. Habitus, dorsal view; B. Habitus, ventral view; C. Epigyne, ventral view; D. Epigyne, ventral view; E. Epigyne, posterior view. Scale bars: 1 mm (A, B); 0.1 mm (C, D).

Figure 17. Leviana mulieraria comb. nov., male (QM S 116640). A. Habitus, dorsal view; B. Habitus, ventral view; C. Left male pedipalp, ventral view; left male pedipalp, dorsal view. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B); 0.2 mm (C, D).

Figure 18. Leviana mulieraria comb. nov., female (QM S 116639). A. Habitus, dorsal view; B. Habitus, ventral view; C. Epigyne, ventral view; D. Epigyne, posterior view. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B); 0.2 mm (C, D).