Tasmanicosa musgravei (McKay, 1974) comb. nov.

Musgrave’s alpine wolf spider

(Figs 1G, 3I, 4D, 6F, 7F, 18A–K, 19)

Lycosa musgravei McKay 1974, 34–35, figs 2A–C; Brignoli 1983: 450; McKay 1985: 80; Framenau 2004: 30–33, figs 3A–G, 4.

Type data. Holotype. Male, Mt Kosciusko [36°27’S, 148°16’E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA], 30 January 1966, L. Voysey (AM KS23) (examined).

Other material examined. 10 males, 40 females (two with eggsac and one with spiderlings), and eight juveniles in 40 records (Appendix B).

Diagnosis. Males of T. musgravei resemble T subrufa based on the shape of the tegular apophysis (Figs. 18J, 27K) but differ by the basally bent terminal apophysis (Figs. 18I, 27I). Females (Fig. 3D) most resemble T. gilberta (Fig. 3G) in having a wide and deep atrium, but the median septum is anchor—rather than inverted T-shaped and is widening anteriorly.

Description. Male (based on QM S70787).

Total length 20.3.

Prosoma. Length 11.3, width 8.4; carapace reddish-brown with genus-specific Union-Jack pattern and irregular light median and marginal bands (Fig. 18A); sternum dark reddish-brown with light brown setae (Fig. 18C).

Eyes. Diameter of AME 0.36, ALE 0.50, PME 0.68, PLE 0.65.

Chelicerae. Reddish-brown with an elongated patch of light setae frontally.

Labium. Dark brown, anteriorly somewhat lighter (Fig. 18C).

Endites. Dark brown, lighter anteriorly (Fig. 18C).

Legs. Greyish-brown and covered with silvery setae; venter of coxae reddish-brown, basally slightly lighter (Fig. 18C).

Opisthosoma. Length 9.0, width 6.8; indistinct folium pattern dorsally (Fig. 18A); venter black (Fig. 18C).

Pedipalps. Cymbium dorsally with a dense layer of silvery setae; tip with ca. 5 macrosetae (Figs 18E–F); tegular apophysis ridge widely gaping, ventral process with two tips (Fig. 6F, 18J–K); embolus broad, sickleshaped with abruptly tapering tip; terminal apophysis broad with two ridges and strongly bent tip (Fig. 18I).

Female (based on QM S70785).

Total length 21.7.

Prosoma. Length 11.0, width 7.6; colouration of carapace and sternum as male (Figs 18B, D).

Eyes. Diameter of AME 0.37, ALE 0.36, PME 0.77, PLE 0.65.

Chelicerae, labium, endites, legs and opisthosoma. Opisthosoma length 11.0, width 7.5, otherwise as male, but dorsal folium pattern on opisthosoma more distinct and frontal chelicerae setae darker (orange-brown) (Figs 18B, D).

Epigyne. Wider than long, median septum anchor-shaped with basally narrow but anteriorly widening median septum (Fig. 18G), spermathecal heads small with twisted spermathecal stalks (Fig. 18H).

Life history and habitat preferences. Tasmanicosa musgravei is an alpine wolf spider. Records are generally from higher than 1,000 m above sea level. It is apparently the most frequently observed wolf spider in the Snowy Mountains (NSW) and open burrows are found in tall alpine herb fields and grasslands (Green & Osborne 1994). Two records from Elsternwick (suburban Melbourne) maybe the result of misplacement through human recreational activities (Framenau 2004). Mature spiders are generally found between November and May, but are most common in the summer months. Females with eggsac have been collected in December and May.

Distribution. Tasmanicosa musgravei can be found in the Australian Alps in the Australian Capital Territory, in New South Wales, and Victoria (Fig. 19).