Rayforstia scuta (Forster, 1959), comb. n.

Figs 86H, 87H

Textricella scuta Forster, 1959: 293, figs 46–50 (holotype male from Norsewood, Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand, in MNZ, not examined). Brignoli, 1983: 375. Platnick, 2009.

Selected material examined. NEW ZEALAND: North Island: Hawke’s Bay: Norsewood, 27.I.1948, P. Culliford, 3♀ (MCZ) ; same data, 4♁, 9♀ (AMNH); Norsewood Motor Camp, 14.VII.1966, R. Forster, 1♁ (AMNH) . Waikato: Lake Rotopounamu, SW. of Turangi, 4–9.IV.1980, A. Newton, M. Thayer, 4♁ (AMNH) ; Taumarunui County, S. side of Whakapapanui Stream, 18.I.1967, K. Wise, 1♁, 2♀ (AMNH) . South Island: Canterbury: Lewis Pass, 1.IV.2006, M. Rix, 1♁ (WAM T94454) .

Remarks. Rayforstia scuta is an unusual, widespread species from the North and South Islands of New Zealand. It is most similar to the other six-eyed species of Rayforstia described from New Zealand ( R. plebeia, R. propinqua, R. salmoni and R. wisei), but can be distinguished by the distinctive shape of the male anterior sclerite, which extends posteriorly well beyond the epigastric furrow (see Forster 1959, fig. 46).