Aname giraulti (Rainbow, 1914) stat. rev.

Figs 1, 6, 27–28

Chenistonia giraulti Rainbow, 1914: 243, figs 52–57.

Aname collinsorum Raven, 1985: 391, figs 6, 41, 50–52 (new synonymy).

Aname pallida L. Koch, 1873 – Raven 1985: 403 (synonymy of Chenistonia giraulti Rainbow, 1914 with Aname pallida L. Koch, 1873 here rejected). — Harvey et al. 2018: fig. 16g (imaged female QMB S9413 from Mount Elliot, here identified as A. giraulti).

non Aname collinsorum – Raven 1985: figs 12, 31, 55, 57 (illustrated female allotype QMB S1260 [100 Mile Swamp, Rosella Plains], and two females QMB S1284 [Mount Mulligan], here identified as A. scutitheca sp. nov.).

Diagnosis

Males of A. giraulti 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. intermedia sp. nov., A. pallida, 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. 27Q). Males of A. giraulti 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. 27K–M; cf. Figs 18, 21, 23, 29, 33). Males of A. giraulti can be distinguished from those of A. ferruginea by the presence of a longer and more reflexed embolus (embolus length/bulb length>2.2), and a shorter, more triangular tibial spur (Fig. 27J–Q; cf. Fig. 25). Males of A. giraulti can be distinguished from those of A. pallida by the presence of a shorter embolus (embolus length / bulb length ~2.3; cf. ~ 2.5 in A. pallida) (Fig. 27L; cf. Fig. 15).

Females of A. giraulti can be distinguished from all species for which females are known except A. ferruginea sp. nov. and A. pallida 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. 28D, L). Females of A. giraulti can be distinguished from those of A. ferruginea by the presence of spermathecae with more elongate lateral vesicles (lateral vesicle length/ width>2) (Fig. 28L; cf. Fig. 26). Females of A. giraulti can be distinguished from those of A. pallida by their distribution (Fig. 6), occurring in tropical north Queensland, in the Wet Tropics, Einasleigh Uplands or the northern part of the Brigalow Belt North bioregions (based on current data females of A. pallida and A. giraulti cannot be confidently distinguished morphologically) (Fig. 28; cf. Fig. 16).

Type material

Lectotype

AUSTRALIA – Queensland • 1 ♂; Nelson [Gordonvale]; 17°06′ S, 145°47′ E; AMS KS6391.

Other material examined

AUSTRALIA – Queensland • 1 juv.; Mount Molloy, Wetherby Road, NE of Rifle Creek Rest Area; 16°40′ S, 145°20′ E; 387 m a.s.l.; 9 May 2023; J.D. Wilson and M.G. Rix leg.; excavated, wet sclerophyll forest; QMB S118313 • 1 juv.; Mount Molloy, Wetherby Road NE of Rifle Creek Rest Area; 16°40′ S, 145°20′ E; 385 m a.s.l.; 12 May 2023; J.D. Wilson and M.G. Rix leg.; QMB S118322 • 1 ♂; Mount Molloy; 16°41′ S, 145°20′ E; 10 Dec. 1978; A. Walford-Huggins leg.; QMB S9411 • 1 ♂; Atherton, Zogla [Tolga]; 17°13′ S, 145°28′ E; 9 Nov. 1999; R. Elick, via B.Y. Main leg.; hand collected, inside house after rain; WAM T151657 • 1 ♂; Kalunga, via Herberton; 17°26′ S, 145°18′ E; 7 Dec. 2009; N. Kung leg.; QMB S69139 • 1 ♀; Irvinebank, via Herberton; 17°26′ S, 145°12′ E; 26 Oct. 1993; R. Gravener leg.; AMS KS36911 • 1 ♀; Silver Valley Road, off Kennedy Highway, W of Ravenshoe; 17°36′ S, 145°18′ E; 726 m a.s.l.; 13 May 2023; J.D. Wilson and M.G. Rix leg.; QMB S118339 • 1 ♂; Cardwell; 18°22′ S, 145°49′ E; 5 Sep. 1994; C. Richards leg.; QMB S25815 • 1 ♂; Rosella Plains, 100 Mile Swamp; 18°25′ S, 144°28′ E; 4–7 Nov. 1979; K. McDonald leg.; grassy open forest; QMB S1259 (holotype of Aname collinsorum Raven, 1985) • 1 ♀; Gregory Developmental Road, 1 km E of Marble Creek crossing; 19°06′ S, 145°16′ E; 440 m a.s.l.; 15 May 2023; J.D. Wilson and M.G. Rix leg.; QMB S118345 • 1 ♀; Gregory Developmental Road, 1 km E of Marble Creek crossing; 19°06′ S, 145°16′ E; 433 m a.s.l.; 15 May 2023; J.D. Wilson and M.G. Rix leg.; QMB S118344 • 1 ♂; Magnetic Island, Aracadia, 10 Mirimar Palms, Mirimar Crescent; 19°09′ S, 146°51′ E; Jan. 1989; I. McCallum leg.; hand collected, caught in laundry washtub; QMB S11272 • 1 ♂; Townsville, Roseneath; 19°22′ S, 146°50′ E; 27 Nov. 1995; D. Wilson leg.; QMB S30537 • 1 ♂; Oak Valley, near Townsville; 19°24′ S, 146°49′ E; 29 Dec. 1988; Mrs Mackay leg.; hand collected, under pillow in house; QMB S11274 • 1 ♂; Bowling Green Bay National Park, Mount Elliot section, picnic grounds; 19°25′ S, 146°55′ E; 23 Nov. 1983; J. Denison leg.; hand collected, in leaf litter after rain; QMB S9808 • 1 ♀; Bowling Green Bay National Park, Mount Elliot section, near Alligator Creek Day Use Area; 19°26′ S, 146°57′ E; 44 m a.s.l.; 17 May 2023; J.D. Wilson and M.G. Rix leg.; QMB S118356 • 1 juv.; Bowling Green Bay National Park, Mount Elliot section, near Alligator Creek Day Use Area; 19°26′ S, 146°57′ E; 52 m a.s.l.; 17 May 2023; J.D. Wilson and M.G. Rix leg.; QMB S118355 • 1 ♂; Bowling Green Bay National Park, Mount Elliot section; 19°29′ S, 146°55′ E; 17 Oct. 1985; C. Adams leg.; hand collected, edge of creek near house; QMB S9798 • 1 ♂; Bowling Green Bay National Park, Mount Elliot section; 19°31′ S, 146°58′ E; 9 Nov. 1999; M. Towers leg.; QMB S60777 • 1 ♂; Mount Garnet; 19°31′ S, 146°58′ E; 31 Dec. 1960; I.E. Mackay leg.; hand collected, found in small silk-lined depression under burnt log, slight forested area; QMB S9765 .

Description

Male (holotype of A. collinsorum Raven, 1985, QMB S1259)

GENERAL (Fig. 27A–Q). Body length 23.27, in moderate condition, colour faded significantly due to preservation.

DORSAL PROSOMA (Fig. 27A, E–F). Carapace length 8.64, width 7.09, length/width 1.22, clypeus to fovea length/carapace length 0.68, caput width/carapace width 0.68, carapace red-brown, reflective setae present, heavy on caput, moderate on thorax, fovea procurved, fovea width/carapace length 0.11 (Fig. 27A, F); chelicerae dark red-brown, rastellum absent or inconspicuous, chelicerae length/carapace length 0.57 (Fig. 27A); eye group rectangular, width/length 1.88, eye tubercle present (Fig. 27E).

ABDOMEN (Fig. 27B, D). Abdomen length 9.69, grey-brown, dorsal pattern absent, with consistent cover of short setae.

VENTRAL PROSOMA (Fig. 27C, G–I). Labium cuspules absent (Fig. 27H); maxillae heel distinct, cuspules present, count =about 108, extending posteriorly onto heel, extending laterally about 25% of maxillae length (Fig. 27C, I); coxae cuspules absent, thorn-like setae on prolateral face present (Fig. 27C, I); sternum length/width 1.19, central sternum with consistent covering of short setae, row of longer setae around posterior edges (Fig. 27G–H); posterior sigilla ovoid, central sternum to posterior sigilla length/ sternum length 0.19, posterior sigilla length/sternum length 0.16 (Fig. 27G–H); other sigilla small, round and lateral (Fig. 27G–H).

LEG I (Fig. 27N–Q). Leg I orange-brown, lighter on distal metatarsus and tarsus, femur length 7.21, patella length 4.72, tibia length 5.41, metatarsus length 4.81, tarsus length 3.22, total length 25.36, leg I length/carapace length 2.94 (Fig. 27N–O); scopulae on distal metatarsus and tarsus (Fig. 27N–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. 27N–O); tibia length/width [TIL/TID] 3.52, even width along length, spur present, intermediate triangular/digitiform, knuckle absent, megaspine angled at 20 degrees, length to distal face of spur/ tibia length [TIS/TIL] 0.50, spur height/tibia width [TISH/TID] 0.65, megaspine length/tibia length 0.20 (Fig. 27N–P); metatarsus relatively straight, proximal excavation present, excavation concave with pronounced heel, heel sharp, excavation length/metatarsus length [MIPEL/MIL] 0.43, metatarsus length/width [MIL/MID] 3.47 (Fig. 27N–O, Q).

PEDIPALP (Fig. 27J–M). Tibia length 3.67, width 1.51, length/width [PTL/PTD] 2.43, asetose depression present, depression length/palp tibia length [PDL/PTL] 0.66, retrolateral face with consistent covering of light setae, ventral face with two elongate bristle-like setae below depression, prolateral face with patch of spines on distal half, disto-medial spine absent (Fig. 27J–K); patella prolateral face with 2 spines (Fig. 27J–K); cymbium with scopulae present distally (Fig. 27J–K); copulatory organ total length 2.13, length/palp tibia length 0.58 (Fig. 27L–M); bulb length/width 0.98 (Fig. 27L–M); embolus 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 0.29, embolus length/bulb length 2.29 (Fig. 27L–M).

Female (QMB S118344)

GENERAL (Fig. 28A–L). Body length 25.60, in good condition.

DORSAL PROSOMA (Fig. 28A, E–F). Carapace length 7.97, width 5.96, length/width 1.34, clypeus to fovea length/carapace length 0.66, caput width/carapace width 0.75, carapace red-brown, caput slighty darker than thorax, reflective setae present, moderate on caput, light on thorax, fovea procurved, fovea width/carapace length 0.11 (Fig. 28A, F); chelicerae dark red-brown, rastellum absent or inconspicuous, chelicerae length/carapace length 0.49 (Fig. 28A); eye group rectangular, width/length 1.89, eye tubercle present (Fig. 28E).

ABDOMEN (Fig. 28B, D). Abdomen length 12.88, light brown, darker dorsally, dorsal pattern absent, with consistent cover of short setae.

VENTRAL PROSOMA (Fig. 28C, G–I). Labium cuspules absent (Fig. 28H); maxillae heel distinct, cuspules present, count =about 107, extending posteriorly onto heel, extending laterally about 40% of maxillae length (Fig. 28C, I); coxae cuspules absent, thorn-like setae on prolateral face present (Fig. 28C, I); sternum length/width 1.25, central sternum with consistent covering of moderate setae, row of longer setae around posterior edges, setae at higher density around anterior edges (Fig. 28G–H); posterior sigilla ovoid, central sternum to posterior sigilla length/sternum length 0.21, posterior sigilla length/ sternum length 0.14 (Fig. 28G–H); other sigilla small, round and lateral (Fig. 28G–H).

LEG I (Fig. 28J–K). Leg I pallid, darker on distal tarsus, femur length 5.55, patella length 3.70, tibia length 3.74, metatarsus length 3.43, tarsus length 2.35, total length 18.78, leg I length/carapace length 2.36; scopulae on distal metatarsus and tarsus; spine count Fe D 1, Fe PL 1, Pa PL 2, Ti PL 2, Ti RL 4 (proximal weak), Me PL 2, Me RL 3, Ta 0; tibia length/width [TIL/TID] 2.89.

GENITALIA (Fig. 28D, L). Epigastric furrow extending slightly, posterior edge with rounded shape (Fig. 28D); spermathecae with two vesicles each (Fig. 28L); lateral vesicle relatively straight with ends curving medially, length 0.77, lateral vesicle length/genitalia width 0.48, length/width at base 2.28, crown un-demarcated (Fig. 28L); medial vesicle short, relatively straight and projecting ventrally, medial vesicle length/genitalia width 0.09, length/width 1.31, medial vesicle length/lateral vesicle length 0.19 (Fig. 28L).

Distribution and natural history

Aname giraulti occurs in north-eastern Queensland, in the Brigalow Belt North, Einasleigh Uplands and Wet Tropics bioregions, extending from around Mount Elliot, in the south, to approximately Mount Molloy in the north, and as far west as Rosella Plains (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

This species was previously in synonymy with Aname pallida; however, morphological examination, along with molecular divergence values (12.22% average pairwise divergence for COI) indicate that it is a distinct species, of which Aname collinsorum Raven, 1985 is a junior synonym. Although we have examined both the A. giraulti lectotype and the A. collinsorum holotype to confirm that they are conspecific, we have imaged the A. collinsorum holotype due to it being more recently collected and in better condition.