Pungalina, Richardson, Barry J., 2013

Richardson, Barry J., 2013, New unidentate jumping spider genera (Araneae: Salticidae) from Australia, Zootaxa 3716 (3), pp. 460-474 : 472

Pungalina n. gen.

Type species: Pungalina weiri Richardson 2013 .

Etymology. The name reflects the name of the type locality, Pungalina Station, and is to be treated as female in gender.

Diagnosis. This Australian genus of small unidentate spiders most resembles the much larger ‘ Breda ’ jovialis, a species erroneously placed in this central American genus, (Davies and Zabka 1989) and temporarily and incorrectly placed by Ruiz & Brescovit (2013) in a convenient Australian genus, Ocrisiona Simon 1901 , awaiting further revision. In both species the spermathecae are partially divided into two compartments. These vesicles are close to the epigastric fold and there is a shallow median pouch in the fold. The insemination ducts begin anteriorly and move posteriorly, forming outward curves before joining the anterior edge of the spermathecae. There is a small diverticulum from the lateral side of the duct in ‘ Breda ’ but not in Pungalina . The size and placement of the fertilization ducts also differ. In ‘ Breda ’ the fertilization duct is almost as long as the long insemination duct, and finishes close to the gonopore. In Pungalina it is extremely short. The palp is of a generally similar form to that in ‘ Breda ’ though the embolus is much longer and thinner. The cephalothorax is low and flat as in ‘ Breda ’ and some other Australian forms however PLE and PME lie in an indentation (fig. 43) in the cephalothorax in Pungalina . The genus is found in litter unlike ‘ Breda ’ which is found under bark or on foliage. Sub-familial placement is uncertain, though Astiae or Hasarinae are possibilities.