Graycassis styx, PLATNICK, 2000

PLATNICK, NORMAN I., 2000, A Relimitation And Revision Of The Australasian Ground Spider Family Lamponidae (Araneae: Gnaphosoidea), Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2000 (245), pp. 1-328 : 228-229

Graycassis styx , new species

Figures 546–549 ; Map 63

TYPES: Female holotype and male allotype taken in pitfall traps at an elevation of 1070 m off Cunnawarra Trail, c. 2 km N Cunnawarra Creek, Styx River State Forest , 308329S, 1528209E, New South Wales (Feb. 4–Apr. 9, 1993; M. Gray, G. Cassis), deposited in AMS ( KS35371 ) .

ETYMOLOGY: The specific name is a noun in apposition taken from the type locality.

DIAGNOSIS: This species seems closest to G. marengo but can be distinguished by the basally enlarged median prong on the median apophysis (fig. 546) of males, and the longer epigynal ducts (fig. 549) of females.

MALE: Total length 5.8. Coloration as in G. marengo . Leg spination: tibiae III v2­2­2. Retrolateral tibial apophysis bifid, with ventral prong hook­shaped (fig. 547); median apophysis with long, basally widened medial prong (fig. 546).

FEMALE: Total length 6.5. Coloration as in G. marengo . Leg spination typical for genus. Epigynum wide, anterior one­third divided by septum (fig. 548); spermathecae each with anterior accessory lobe situated posterior of their tip (fig. 549).

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED: New South Wales: bottom end of Cliffs Trail, c. 1.3 km from Oxley Road, Styx River State Forest , 308339S, 1528209E, Feb. 4–Apr. 9, 1993, pitfall, elev. 1080 m (M. Gray, G. Cassis, AMS KS35362 ), 7?, 2 /; off Cunnawarra Trail, Styx River State Forest , 308329S, 1528209E, Feb. 4–Apr. 9, 1993, pitfall, elev. 1130 m (M. Gray, G. Cassis, AMS KS35367 ), 8?, 3 /; off Cunnawarra Trail, 800 m N Cunnawarra Creek in gully running SE, Styx River State Forest , 308339S, 1528199E, Feb. 4–Apr. 9, 1993, pitfall, elev. 950 m (M. Gray, G. Cassis, AMS KS35375 ), 3 ?; off Cunnawarra Trail, c. 2 km N Cunnawarra Creek, Styx River State Forest , 308329S, 1528209E, Feb. 4–Apr. 9, 1993, pitfall, elev. 1070 m (M. Gray, G. Cassis, AMS KS35371 ), 2 ?.

DISTRIBUTION: New South Wales (map 63).

Figures

Map 63. Records of Graycassis styx, new species (circle), Asadipus barlee, new species (squares), and A. julia, new species (triangles).

Figs. 546–549. Graycassis styx, new species. 546. Left male palp, ventral view. 547. Same, retrolateral view. 548. Epigynum, ventral view. 549. Same, dorsal view.