Telaprocera joanae, Harmer & Framenau, 2008

Harmer, Aaron M. T. & Framenau, Volker W., 2008, Telaprocera (Araneae: Araneidae), a new genus of Australian orb-web spiders with highly elongated webs, Zootaxa 1956 (1), pp. 59-80 : 75-79

Telaprocera joanae sp. nov.

( Figs 28–37 )

Type material. Holotype male, Lamington National Park , national park campground at Green Mountains section, Queensland, Australia, 28°13’49”S, 153°08’04”E, A.M.T. Harmer, March 2006 ( QM S83008 ) . Paratype female, same data ( QM S83009 ) .

Other material examined. AUSTRALIA: New South Wales: 1 male, 1 female, 1 juvenile, Bruxner Park, Orara East State Forest , Coffs Harbour, 30°14’S, 153°06’E ( SAM NN24374 ) ; 1 male, 2 females, Richmond Range , 28°59’S, 152°45’E ( QM S83012 ) . Queensland: 1 female, Boombana National Park , 27°24’S, 152°47’E ( QM S65294) ; 4 females, 15 juveniles, Bunya Mountains National Park, Dandabah , 26°51’S, 151°34’E ( QM S83006 ) ; 2 females, 2 juveniles, Crediton , 21°13’S, 148°35’E ( QM S83004 ) ; 1 female, Dalrymple Heights , 21°04’S, 148°35’E ( AM KS6390 ) ; 1 female, same data ( AM KS0286 ) ; 1 female, Dalrymple Heights, Mt William , lower slopes, 21°01’S, 148°36’E ( AM KS0361 ) ; 1 female, Eungella , schoolhouse, 21°08’S, 148°29’E ( QM S69323) ; 1 female, Lamington National Park , 28°15’S, 153°08’E ( QM S83005 ) ; same data ( ZMUC) ; 1 female, 4 juveniles, Lamington National Park, Binna Burra , 28°12’S, 153°11’E ( QM S27554 ) ; 1 male, 5 females, 13 juveniles, same data ( QM S83002 ) ; 1 male, Lamington National Park, Binna Burra, Tullawallal Circuit , 28°12’S, 153°11’E ( SAM NN24371 ) ; 1 male, same data ( SAM NN24373 ) ; 1 female, same data ( SAM NN24372 ) ; 1 male, 3 females, 1 juvenile, Lamington National Park, Nagarigoon , 28°12’S, 153°10’E ( QM S83014 ) ; 1 male, Lamington National Park , national park campground, 28°13'49"S, 153°08'04"E ( WAM T85242) ; 1 female, same data ( WAM T85243) ; 3 males, 1 female, Lamington National Park, near O’Reillys Guesthouse , 28°14’05”S, 153°08’13”E ( ZMUC) ; 2 males, 3 females, Lamington National Park, O’Reillys Trail , 28°14’S, 153°08’E ( ZMUC) ; 3 males, 1 female, same data ( ZMUC) ; 1 female, same data ( QM S83007 ) ; 1 male, 2 females, Lamington National Park, Python Trail , 28°15’S, 153°08’E ( ZMUC) ; 1 male, 1 female, Mt Deongwar , 3km S, 27°13’41”S, 152°15’36”E ( QM S83003 ) ; 1 male, Mt Superbus , 28°14’S, 152°29’E ( QM S83013 ) ; 1 male, Tamborine National Park, Witches Falls , 27°56’27”S, 153°10’48”E ( ZMUC) ; 3 females, same data ( ZMUC) . Victoria: 1 female, Alfred National Park , 19km E Cann River, 37°32’S, 149°20’E ( AM KS3649 ) .

Etymology. The species is named in memory of the senior author’s maternal grandmother, Joan Worth.

Diagnosis. This species is generally smaller than T. maudae sp. nov. and is characterised by the green colouration, narrower, more tapered abdomen, with white dorsolateral humeral projections and strong scalloped pattern on the posterior lateral surface ( Figs 28, 30 ). The median apophysis of the male pedipalp is reduced in comparison to the median apophysis of T. maudae sp. nov., and is not dish-shaped ( Figs 7 , 32 ). There is a basoembolic apophysis present ( Figs 7, 8 , 32 ), and a digitiform process originating on the terminal apophysis ( Figs 9 , 32, 33 ), both of which are lacking in T. maudae sp. nov. Females can be distinguished by the comparatively wider epigyne, which is approximately two and a half times wider than long, and the short distal portion of the scape which is curved posteriorly and partially covering the copulatory openings ( Figs 11 , 34, 35 ).

Description. Holotype male (Lamington National Park, QM S83008 ). Carapace yellow-brown with dark band around margins and dark markings posteriorly of cephalic region ( Fig. 28 ). Fovea triangular, apex pointed anteriorly with dark radiating pattern ( Fig. 28 ). Black rings around eyes. Long silvery-white setae between PME. Cephalic region densely hirsute with silvery-white setae. Chelicerae light brown with four promarginal teeth, apical and second tooth from proximal end much larger than others; three retromarginal teeth, apical tooth much smaller than others. Labium dark brown proximally, fading to white distally ( Fig. 29 ). Sternum yellow-brown with dark tinges towards margins. Abdomen with green, white and brown colouration, approximately round but strongly tapered posteriorly, longer than wide ( Fig. 28 ). Distinct cruciform pattern, with vertical band running length of abdomen and horizontal band terminating in two pronounced white dorsolateral humeral projections ( Fig. 28 ). Strong scalloped pattern on posterior lateral surface of abdomen. Legs yellow-brown with dark patches ( Figs 28, 29 ). Tibiae I with short, very stout spines, arranged more or less evenly over surface, tibiae II with fewer spines. Spines less robust than in T. maudae . Median apophysis of male pedipalp approximately hatchet-shaped ( Figs 7 , 32 ). Conductor with cleft supporting embolus and basoembolic apophysis, large curled lobe adjacent to cleft ( Figs 7 , 32 ). Basoembolic apophysis subequal in size to, and running alongside embolus, inserted at base of embolus ( Figs 7, 8 , 32 ). Terminal apophysis large, sickle-shaped, with digitiform process originating approximately one third of length along from proximal end of terminal apophysis (7, 9, 33).

Paratype female (Lamington National Park, QM S83009 ). Female somatic characters are as in male with the following exceptions: carapace paler with slight greenish tinge ( Fig. 30 ). Row of dark macrosetae running along midline of carapace from fovea to PME. Three retromarginal teeth of similar size. Sternum yellowbrown in centre but with wide black band around margins ( Fig. 31 ). Abdomen comparatively larger than male, as long as wide and less tapered posteriorly ( Fig. 30 ). Epigyne in ventral view approximately two and a half times wider than long ( Fig. 34 ), moderately hirsute. Extreme distal portion of scape curved posteriorly and partially covering copulatory openings, wide posterior plate extending from directly below distal portion of scape ( Figs 11 , 35 ). Spermathecae relatively large, spherical in shape, spaced more widely apart than in T. maudae sp. nov. ( Figs 34. 36 ).

Variation. Carapace, abdomen and legs may have stronger green colouration. This green colouration is very distinct in live specimens ( Fig. 2 ) and fades after preservation in EtOH.

Measurements. Male holotype (female paratype): total length 3.9 (4.6). Carapace length 2.2 (2.2), width 1.9 (1.8). Sternum length 0.9 (0.9), width 0.8 (0.8). Clypeus 0.13 (0.13). Eyes: AME 0.15 (0.15), ALE 0.08 (0.08), PME 0.13 (0.10), PLE 0.13 (0.1). Row of eyes: AME 0.38 (0.38), ALE 0.80 (0.85), PME 0.25 (0.28), PLE 0.95 (0.95). Legs (femur + patella/tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): I 3.1 (2.3) + 3.7 (2.7) + 3.4 (2.2) + 1.2 (0.9) = 11.4 (8.1); II 2.6 (2.0) + 3.1 (2.3) + 3.0 (1.9) + 1.1 (0.9) = 9.8 (7.1); III 1.6 (1.5) + 1.7 (1.5) + 1.2 (0.9) + 0.7 (0.6) = 5.1 (4.5); IV 1.9 (1.7) + 2.0 (1.8) + 1.6 (1.4) + 0.7 (0.6) = 6.2 (5.5).

Distribution. This species occurs along the east coast of Australia and is most often collected in southeast Queensland and in the Richmond Ranges in the northeast of New South Wales ( Fig. 37 ). Spiders have been collected as far north as Dalrymple Heights in Queensland, and as far south as Victoria, with a single specimen collected from Alfred National Park in far east Gippsland. The distribution overlaps with T. maudae sp. nov. in some areas, with large populations of both species occurring sympatrically in Lamington National Park. This species also tends to be collected at areas of higher altitude along the Great Dividing Range.

Life history. The life history characteristics of T. joanae sp. nov. are similar to those of T. maudae sp. nov. The webs of the two species are indistinguishable in the field, and are often found on the same tree.

Figures

FIGURE 37. Distribution map for recorded specimens of Telaprocera joanae sp. nov.

FIGURES 28–31. Telaprocera joanae sp. nov. male and female habitus. 28, male, dorsal view; 29, male, ventral view; 30, female, dorsal view; 31, female, ventral view. Scale bars = 1 mm.

FIGURES 32–36. Telaprocera joanae sp. nov. male, WAM T85242 (32–33), and female, WAM T85243 (34–36), genitalia. 32, left male pedipalp, baso-retrolateral view; 33, left male pedipalp, prolateral view; 34, epigyne, ventral view; 35, epigyne, aboral view; 36; epigyne, dorsal view. Scale bars = 0.5 mm (male), 0.25 mm (female). Abbreviations: BA, basoembolic apophysis; C, conductor; D, digitiform process; Cy, cymbium; K, dorsal keel; E, embolus; MA, median apophysis; PC, paracymbium; R, radix; Sp, spermatheca; ST, subtegulum; T, tegulum; TA, terminal apophysis; Ti, tibia.

FIGURES 4–9. Male genitalia of T. maudae sp. nov. (4–6), and T. joanae sp. nov. (7–9). 4, left pedipalp, baso-retrolateral view; 5, paracymbium and dorsal keel, dorsolateral view; 6, embolus, baso-retrolateral view; 7, left pedipalp, basoretrolateral view; 8, tip of embolus and basoembolic apophysis; 9, terminal apophysis and digitiform process, apical view. Abbreviations: BA, basoembolic apophysis; C, conductor; D, digitiform process; E, embolus; K, dorsal keel; MA median apophysis; PC, paracymbium; pl, proximal lobe; R, radix; TA, terminal apophysis; Ti, tibia.

FIGURES 10–15. Telaprocera maudae sp. nov. epigyne (10) and spinnerets (12–15) and T. joanae sp. nov. epigyne (11). 10, 11, epigyne, aboral view; 12, spinnerets, ventral view; 13, left anterior lateral spinneret; 14, left posterior lateral spinneret; 15, posterior median spinnerets. Abbreviations: ac, aciniform gland spigots; ag, aggregate gland spigot; ALS, anterior lateral spinneret; cy, cylindrical gland spigot; fl, flagelliform gland spigot; ma-ap, major ampullate gland spigot; mi-ap, minor ampullate gland spigot; n, nubbin; pi, piriform gland spigot; PLS, posterior lateral spinneret; PMS, posterior median spinneret; S, scape.

FIGURES 1–2. Adults of Telaprocera gen. nov. in their webs, Lamington National Park, QLD. 1, T. maudae sp. nov. female; 2, T. joanae sp. nov. male.