Artoria mckayi Framenau, 2002

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 mckayi Framenau, 2002 Figs 1 A–B, 30, 31 A–H, 46G McKay Creek Runner

Artoria mckayi Framenau, 2002: 220-222, figs A–F, 14.

Material examined.

Holotype male, Ovens River near Smoko (36°48'S, 147°02'E, Victoria, AUSRALIA), 16 December 1998, riparian gravel bank at the water’s edge, V.W. Framenau (NMV K7531).

Other material examined.

13 males, 15 females (3 with eggsac) and 2 juveniles in 15 records (14 NSW, 1 ACT). AUSTRALIA: Australian Capital Territory: 1 male, Tidbinbilla, 35°26'S, 148°56'E (SAM NN13548). New South Wales: 1 female, Brookvale Creek, 33°46 ’10” S, 151°16 ’04” E (AM KS125974); 3 males, 2 females, Gloucester River, 31°59'S, 151°58'E (NMV K7564); 1 female, Jamberoo Mountain, 34°40'S, 150°43'E (AM KS54476); 1 female, Limeburners Creek crossing, off Bucketts Way, Karuah River Drainage, 32°37'S, 151°53'E (AM KS43639); 1 female, Mooney Mooney Rainforest, S of Road Bridge, 33°31'S, 151°12'E (AM KS1523); 4 males, 2 females, 2 juv., Mt Rose Station, 33°49'S, 150°04'E (AM KS10022); 1 male, 1 female, Mt Warning, Murwillumbah, 28°24'S, 153°16'E (SAM NN13549-50); 1 male, Nadgee Nature Reserve, 37°22'S, 149°55'E (AM KS32175); 1 female, New England National Park, Nulla Nulla Creek Campground, 30°30'S, 152°29'E (AM KS71562); 1 female, Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, 30°48 ’26” S, 152°07 ’02” E (AM KS124378); 3 females, St Marys, 33°46'S, 150°46'E (AM KS8135); 1 male, Upper Hunter River, Jerrys Plains, 32°31 ’05” S, 150°56 ’04” E (AM KS100870); 2 males, Wilson River Flora Reserve, 31°13'S, 152°26'E (AM KS9713).

Diagnosis.

Artoria mckayi is most similar to A. albopedipalpis Framenau, 2002, a species which has only been recorded from Victoria (Framenau, 2002). The ventrally-pointing tegular apophysis of the male pedipalp (Fig. 31E) is somewhat similar to that of A. berenice (Fig. 11E) but is much slimmer. The female epigyne (Fig. 31G) may resembles that of A. berenice (Fig. 11G) but is overall much rounder and less constricted posteriorly.

Description.

Artoria mckayi has been described in detail ( Framenau 2002). A diagnosis and life and diagnostic images (Figs 1 A–B, 31 A–H, 46G) are provided here to facilitate identification.

Life history and habitat preferences.

Artoria mckayi is a riparian habitat specialist and can mainly be found along the edges of rivers and creeks on both muddy and rocky banks. In NSW and the ACT mature spiders have been found between October and May. In Victoria, the adult spiders (species ‘A’ in Framenau et al. 2002) can be found throughout the year with lower numbers mainly in spring (March).

Distribution.

Artoria mckayi occurs at rivers and creeks of the Great Dividing Range (Fig. 30). The species otherwise occurs in Queensland, Victoria, south-eastern South Australia and Tasmania ( Framenau 2002; 2005).