Aname pallida L. Koch, 1873

Figs 1, 6, 15–17

Aname pallida L. Koch, 1873: 465, pl. 35 fig. 8.

Aname pallida – Raven 1981: 329, figs 1–3, 13, 48; 1985: 403, fig. 2. — Harvey et al. 2018: 444, figs 3–4, 16a–f. — Rix et al. 2021: figs 3, 5, 7–8.

Aname “MYG689” – Rix et al. 2021: figs 3, 5, 7.

non Aname pallida – Raven 1981: figs 8–10, 14, 44–47, 49 (illustrated male QMB S696 [Rockhampton], females QMB S697 [Biloela], QMB S703 [Monto], and females in fig. 46 [Gin Gin], fig. 47 [Banana], fig. 49 [Gladstone], all here identified as A. ferruginea sp. nov.). — Harvey et al. 2018: fig. 16g (imaged female QMB S9413 from Mount Elliot, here identified as A. giraulti (Rainbow, 1914)) .

Diagnosis

Males of A. pallida can be distinguished from all species for which males are known except A. attenuata, A. blackdownensis, A. convoluta sp. nov., A. ferruginea sp. nov., A. giraulti, A. intermedia sp. nov., and A. vigilata sp. nov. by a moderate to large body size (carapace length>4.0 mm), and the presence of a long embolus (embolus length/ bulb length>1.5), a proximal excavation less than or equal to half the length of metatarsus I, and a prominent and sharp heel on metatarsus I (Fig. 15Q). Males of A. pallida can be distinguished from those of A. attenuata, A. blackdownensis, A. convoluta, A. intermedia, and A. vigilata by the presence of a reflexed embolus with a small hook at the tip, and the absence of short, thorn-like setae along the retrolateral edge of the asetose depression on the palp tibia (Fig. 15K–M; cf. Figs 18, 21, 23, 29, 33). Males of A. pallida can be distinguished from those of A. ferruginea sp. nov. by the presence of a longer and more reflexed embolus (embolus length / bulb length>2.2), and a shorter, more triangular tibial spur (Fig. 15J–Q; cf. Fig. 25). Males of A. pallida can be distinguished from those of A. giraulti by the presence of a longer embolus (embolus length / bulb length ~ 2.5; cf. ~ 2.3 in A. giraulti) (Fig. 15L; cf. Fig. 27).

Females of A. pallida can be distinguished from all species for which females are known except A. ferruginea sp. nov. and A. giraulti by the presence of spermathecae with two vesicles, with relatively long and straight lateral vesicles (lateral vesicle length /genitalia width>0.25) that curve medially at their ends, and very short, straight medial vesicles (medial vesicle length/ lateral vesicle length <0.5) (Fig. 16D, L). Females of A. pallida can be distinguished from those of A. ferruginea by the presence of spermathecae with more elongate lateral vesicles (lateral vesicle length/ width>2.0) (Fig. 16L; cf. Fig. 26). Females of A. pallida can be distinguished from those of A. giraulti by their distribution (Fig. 6), occurring in central Queensland, in or near the Central Mackay Coast Bioregion (based on current data females of A. pallida and A. giraulti cannot be confidently distinguished morphologically) (Fig. 16; cf. Fig. 28).

Type material

Holotype

AUSTRALIA – Queensland • subadult ♂; Bowen; 20°01′ S, 148°15′ E; ZMH MGH 8104.

Other material examined

AUSTRALIA – Queensland • 1 juv.; Mount Bramston, off Links Road, Whitsunday Shores Estate; 20°04′ S, 148°15′ E; 40 m a.s.l.; 18 Aug. 2023; M.G. Rix, J.D. Wilson and T.L. Miller leg.; excavated, open burrow on firebreak trail, dry vine scrub; QMB S118199 • 1 juv.; Mount Bramston, off Links Road, Whitsunday Shores Estate; 20°04′ S, 148°15′ E; 40 m a.s.l.; 18 Aug. 2023; M.G. Rix, J.D. Wilson and T.L. Miller leg.; excavated, open burrow on firebreak trail, dry vine scrub; QMB S118200 • 1 ♀; SW of Bowen, off Mount Dangar Road, near corner of Peter Delemothe Road; 20°07′ S, 148°08′ E; 42 m a.s.l.; 18 Aug. 2023; M.G. Rix, J.D. Wilson and T.L. Miller leg.; excavated, open burrow on ground, sclerophyll forest; QMB S118198 • 1 ♀; Conway National Park, Swamp Bay Trail, off Shute Harbour Road, Shute Bay; 20°17′ S, 148°46′ E; 12 m a.s.l.; 19 Aug. 2023; M.G. Rix, J.D. Wilson and T.L. Miller leg.; excavated, open burrow on bank, sclerophyll forest; QMB S118201 • 1 ♂; Cannonvale; 20°17′ S, 148°40′ E; 31 Oct. 2003; J. Wyeth leg.; QMB S61051 • 1 ♂; Dent Island, via Mackay; 20°21′ S, 148°56′ E; Oct. 1954; J.S. Hayes leg.; WAM T151830 • 1 ♂; Proserpine, Airport Drive, Site XY12; 20°29′ S, 148°34′ E; 36 m a.s.l.; 5 Nov. 2007 – 13 Feb. 2008; R.J. Raven leg.; pitfall trap, closed woodland; QMB S85631 • 1 ♂; Proserpine, near Airport, Whitsunday Sporting Car Club track, Site XY13; 20°29′ S, 148°34′ E; 5 Nov. 2007 – 13 Feb. 2008; R.J. Raven leg.; QMB S85423 • 1 juv.; Proserpine, Deadmans Creek; 20°30′ S, 148°33′ E; 21 m a.s.l.; 10 Nov. 2007; R.J. Raven leg.; pitfall trap, open forest; QMB S86836 • 1 ♂; Proserpine, Thompson Creek, site XY15; 20°31′ S, 148°33′ E; 30 m a.s.l.; 6 Nov. 2007 – 13 Feb. 2008; R.J. Raven leg.; pitfall trap, closed forest; QMB S85374 • 1 ♂; Proserpine, Thompson Creek, site XY14; 20°31′ S, 148°34′ E; 44 m a.s.l.; 12 Nov. 2007; R.J. Raven leg.; closed forest; QMB S86817 • 1 juv.; Proserpine, Thompson Creek; 20°32′ S, 148°33′ E; 30 m a.s.l.; 19 Aug. 2023; M.G. Rix, J.D. Wilson and T.L. Miller leg.; excavated, open burrow on ground, sclerophyll forest; QMB S118202 • 1 ♀; Proserpine, Thompson Creek, site XY16; 20°33′ S, 148°30′ E; 9 Nov. 2007; R.J. Raven leg.; rainforest; QMB S86854 • 1 ♀; Finlaysons Point, 2 km NW of Seaforth; 20°53′ S, 148°57′ E; 11 m a.s.l.; 20 Aug. 2023; M.G. Rix, J.D. Wilson and T.L. Miller leg.; excavated, open burrow on ground, littoral rainforest; QMB S118205 • 1 ♀; Finlaysons Point, 2 km NW of Seaforth; 20°53′ S, 148°57′ E; 13 m a.s.l.; 20 Aug. 2023; M.G. Rix, J.D. Wilson and T.L. Miller leg.; excavated, open burrow on ground, littoral rainforest; QMB S118203 • 1 ♀; Finlaysons Point, 2 km NW of Seaforth; 20°53′ S, 148°57′ E; 13 m a.s.l.; 20 Aug. 2023; M.G. Rix, J.D. Wilson and T.L. Miller leg.; excavated, open burrow on ground, littoral rainforest; QMB S118204 • 1 ♀; WSW of Seaforth, Mount Ossa-Seaforth Road; 20°55′ S, 148°55′ E; 16 m a.s.l.; 16 Feb. 2023; M.G. Rix, M.S. Harvey and T.L. Miller leg.; excavated, open burrow on bank next to road; QMB S118231 • 1 ♂; 5 km S of Moranbah; 22°02′ S, 148°03′ E; 25 Jun.–20 Dec. 1997; G.B. Monteith and E. Kruck leg.; intercept trap, gravel ridge; QMB S32446 • 1 ♂; 5 km S of Moranbah; 22°02′ S, 148°03′ E; 25 Jun.–20 Dec. 1997; G.B. Monteith and E. Kruck leg.; pitfall trap, bendee scrub; QMB S44334 .

Description

Male (QMB S86817)

GENERAL (Fig. 15A–Q). Body length 18.57, in good condition, colour presumably faded due to preservation.

DORSAL PROSOMA (Fig. 15A, E–F). Carapace length 7.46, width 6.43, length/width 1.16, clypeus to fovea length/carapace length 0.70, caput width/carapace width 0.68, carapace red-brown, caput slightly darker than thorax, reflective setae present, heavy on caput, moderate on thorax, fovea procurved, fovea width/carapace length 0.12 (Fig. 15A, F); chelicerae dark red-brown, rastellum absent or inconspicuous, chelicerae length/carapace length 0.61 (Fig. 15A); eye group rectangular, width/length 1.99, eye tubercle present (Fig. 15E).

ABDOMEN (Fig. 15B, D). Abdomen length 6.87, grey, dorsal pattern absent, with full covering of reflective setae.

VENTRAL PROSOMA (Fig. 15C, G–I). Labium cuspules absent (Fig. 15H); maxillae heel distinct, cuspules present, count =about 90, extending posteriorly onto heel, extending laterally about 25% of maxillae length (Fig. 15C, I); coxae cuspules absent, thorn-like setae on prolateral face present (Fig. 15C, I); sternum length/width 1.19, central sternum with consistent covering of short setae, row of longer setae around posterior edges (Fig. 15G–H); posterior sigilla ovoid, central sternum to posterior sigilla length/ sternum length 0.21, posterior sigilla length/sternum length 0.16 (Fig. 15G–H); other sigilla small, round and lateral (Fig. 15G–H).

LEG I (Fig. 15N–Q). Leg I red-brown, lighter on distal metatarsus and tarsus, reflective setae on dorsal femur, femur length 6.14, patella length 4.12, tibia length 4.53, metatarsus length 4.23, tarsus length 2.78, total length 21.80, leg I length/carapace length 2.92 (Fig. 15N–O); scopulae on distal metatarsus and tarsus (Fig. 15N–O); spine count Fe D 1, Fe PL 1, Pa PL 2 (distal rubbed off), Ti PL 0, Ti RL 0, Me PL 0, Me RL 0, Ta 0 (Fig. 15N–O); tibia length/width [TIL/TID] 3.24, even width along length, spur present, intermediate triangular/digitiform, knuckle absent, megaspine angled at 30 degrees, length to distal face of spur/tibia length [TIS/TIL] 0.50, spur height/tibia width [TISH/TID] 0.70, megaspine length/tibia length 0.26 (Fig. 15N–P); metatarsus relatively straight, proximal excavation present, excavation concave with pronounced heel, heel sharp, excavation length/metatarsus length [MIPEL/ MIL] 0.47, metatarsus length/width [MIL/MID] 3.91 (Fig. 15N–O, Q).

PEDIPALP (Fig. 15J–M). Tibia length 3.01, width 1.27, length/width [PTL/PTD] 2.38, asetose depression present, depression length/palp tibia length [PDL/PTL] 0.65, retrolateral face with consistent covering of light setae, ventral face with two elongate bristle-like setae below depression, prolateral face with two disto-ventral spines, disto-medial spine absent (Fig. 15J–K); patella prolateral face with 2 (both rubbed off) spines (Fig. 15J–K); cymbium with scopulae present distally (Fig. 15J–K); copulatory organ total length 2.12, length/palp tibia length 0.70 (Fig. 15L–M); bulb length/width 1.06 (Fig. 15L–M); embolus strongly reflexed, attenuate, tapering and curving relatively evenly to point, one slight bend, at about 0.1 of length, small hook on tip, width at base/bulb width 0.28, embolus length/bulb length 2.49 (Fig. 15L–M).

Female (QMB S118205)

GENERAL (Fig. 16A–L). Body length 23.10, in good condition except slight damage to abdomen.

DORSAL PROSOMA (Fig. 16A, E–F). Carapace length 8.52, width 6.68, length/width 1.28, clypeus to fovea length/carapace length 0.68, caput width/carapace width 0.76, carapace red-brown, reflective setae present, moderate on caput, moderate on thorax, fovea procurved, fovea width/carapace length 0.14 (Fig. 16A, F); chelicerae red-brown, rastellum absent or inconspicuous, chelicerae length/carapace length 0.50 (Fig. 16A); eye group rectangular, width/length 2.05, eye tubercle present (Fig. 16E).

ABDOMEN (Fig. 16B, D). Abdomen length 10.64, brown, dorsal pattern absent, with consistent cover of short setae.

VENTRAL PROSOMA (Fig. 16C, G–I). Labium cuspules absent (Fig. 16H); maxillae heel distinct, cuspules present, count =about 135, extending posteriorly onto heel, extending laterally about 30% of maxillae length (Fig. 16C, I); coxae cuspules absent, thorn-like setae on prolateral face present (Fig. 16C, I); sternum length/width 1.24, almost all setae rubbed off, row of longer setae around posterior edges (Fig. 16G–H); posterior sigilla ovoid, central sternum to posterior sigilla length/sternum length 0.20, posterior sigilla length/sternum length 0.14 (Fig. 16G–H); other sigilla small, round and lateral (Fig. 16G–H).

LEG I (Fig. 16J–K). Leg I red-brown, darker on patella and tibia, reflective setae on dorsal femur, femur length 5.84, patella length 4.16, tibia length 4.16, metatarsus length 3.75, tarsus length 2.41, total length 20.33, leg I length/carapace length 2.39; scopulae on distal metatarsus and tarsus; spine count Fe D 1, Fe PL 1, Pa PL 2, Ti PL 3, Ti RL 4, Me PL 2, Me RL 3, Ta 0; tibia length/width [TIL/TID] 2.94.

GENITALIA (Fig. 16D, L). Epigastric furrow extending slightly, posterior edge with rounded shape (Fig. 16D); spermathecae with two vesicles each (Fig. 16L); lateral vesicle relatively straight with ends curving medially, length 0.96, lateral vesicle length/genitalia width 0.47, length/width at base 2.23, crown un-demarcated (Fig. 16L); medial vesicle short, relatively straight and projecting ventrally, medial vesicle length/genitalia width 0.13, length/width 1.93, medial vesicle length/lateral vesicle length 0.29 (Fig. 16L).

Subadult male (holotype, ZMH MGH 8104)

GENERAL (Fig. 17A–K). Body length 18.51, in very poor condition, cuticle very faded and cuticle and tissue hardened and fragmented.

DORSAL PROSOMA (Fig. 17A, E). Carapace length 6.64, width 5.26, length/width 1.26, clypeus to fovea length/carapace length 0.70, caput width/carapace width 0.62, carapace pallid, reflective setae present, light on caput, light on thorax, fovea procurved (Fig. 17A); chelicerae yellow, rastellum absent or inconspicuous, chelicerae length/carapace length 0.53 (Fig. 17A); eye group rectangular, width/length 1.88, eye tubercle present (Fig. 17E).

ABDOMEN (Fig. 17B, D). Abdomen length 8.39, yellow-brown, dorsal pattern absent.

VENTRAL PROSOMA (Fig. 17C, I). Labium cuspules absent (Fig. 17C); maxillae heel distinct, cuspules present, count =about 80, extending posteriorly onto heel, extending laterally about 30% of maxillae length (Fig. 17C, I); coxae cuspules absent, thorn-like setae on prolateral face present (Fig. 17C, I); sternum length/width 1.04, some posterior setae rubbed off, central sternum with consistent covering of moderate setae, row of longer setae around posterior edges (Fig. 17C); posterior sigilla ovoid, central sternum to posterior sigilla length/sternum length 0.28, posterior sigilla length/sternum length 0.17 (Fig. 17C); other sigilla small, round and lateral (Fig. 17C).

LEG I (Fig. 17J–K). Leg I pallid yellow, femur length 4.56, patella length 2.89, tibia length 2.72, metatarsus length 2.48; scopulae on distal metatarsus and tarsus; spine count Fe D 1, Fe PL 1, Pa PL 2, Ti PL 3, Ti RL 4, Me PL 2, Ta 0; tibia length/width [TIL/TID] 2.75.

Distribution and natural history

Aname pallida occurs in central-eastern Queensland, in the Central Mackay Coast bioregion, extending from Moranbah in the south-west to Bowen in the north-east (Fig. 6). It constructs an open, silk-lined burrow without silk outside of the entrance, often on an angle, and with a hidden secondary ‘wishbone’ entrance (Fig. 6).

Remarks

The subadult male holotype of A. pallida is in very poor condition and therefore lacks many of the most informative taxonomic characters. However, based on current data, only two species occur near the type locality of Bowen, and one is significantly larger than the other. Given that the subadult male holotype of A. pallida is quite large (i.e. carapace length 6.64), and based on somatic morphology, we have determined that the larger species matches A. pallida, and the smaller species is here described as A. litoralis sp. nov.