Graycassis marengo, 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 : 227-228

Graycassis marengo , new species

Figures 542–545 ; Map 62

TYPES: Female holotype and male allotype taken in pitfall traps at an elevation of 1120 m 2.2 km NE along Chimney Road from Chaelundi Road , Marengo State Forest , 308069S, 1528249E, New South Wales (Feb. 4–Apr. 9, 1993; M. Gray, G. Cassis), deposited in AMS ( KS35332 ).

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

DIAGNOSIS: The bifid median apophysis, bearing a long and distally incised prolateral prong (fig. 542) of males, and the narrow anteromedian epigynal septum and shape of the anterior portion of the epigynum (fig. 544) are diagnostic.

MALE: Total length 5.3. Carapace dark reddish­brown, abdominal scutum brown, soft portions of abdomen gray, venter with longitudinal pale markings; legs brownish orange, femora darkest. Leg spination typical for genus. Retrolateral tibial apophysis bifid, with ventral prong hook­shaped (fig. 543); median apophysis with long medial prong (fig. 542).

FEMALE: Total length 5.6. Coloration as in male. Leg spination typical for genus. Epigynum wide, anterior half divided by septum (fig. 544); spermathecae each with anterior accessory lobe (fig. 545).

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED: New South Wales: Big Bull Creek, 2.7 km NE along Foamy Creek Road from Chaelundi Road , Marengo State Forest , 308079S, 1528259E, Feb. 4–Apr. 9, 1993, pitfall, elev. 920 m (M. Gray, G. Cassis, AMS KS35331 ), 13 ?; 0.9 km S along Chaelundi Road from Big Bull Creek Road, Mount Hyland Nature Reserve, 308099S, 1528279E, Feb. 4–Apr. 9, 1993, pitfall, elev. 1080 m (M. Gray, G. Cassis, AMS KS35320 ), 16?, 1 /; 1.9 km N along Chaelundi Road from Big Bull Creek Road, Mount Hyland Nature Reserve, 308089S, 1528269E, Feb. 4–Apr. 9, 1993, pitfall, elev. 1160 m (M. Gray, G. Cassis, AMS KS35323 ), 18?, 1 /; 0.4 km SW along Chimney Road from junction of Buckboard and Foamy Creek Roads, Marengo State Forest , 308069S, 1528259E, Feb. 4–Apr. 9, 1993, pitfall, elev. 1090 m (M. Gray, G. Cassis, AMS KS35340 ), 1 ?; 2.2 km NE along Chimney Road from Chaelundi Road, Marengo State Forest , 308069S, 1528249E, Feb. 4–Apr. 9, 1993, pitfall, elev. 1120 m (M. Gray, G. Cassis, AMS KS35332 ), 2 ?; 0.4 km ENE junction of Hardens and Chaelundi Roads, Marengo State Forest , 308089S, 1528259E, Feb. 4–Apr. 9, 1993, pitfall, elev. 1290 m (M. Gray, G. Cassis, AMS KS35328 ), 1 ?; Obeloe Creek, 2.0 km SW along Obeloe Road from Chaelundi Road , Mount Hyland Nature Reserve , 308099S, 1528279E, Feb. 4–Apr. 9, 1993, pitfall, elev. 910 m (M. Gray, G. Cassis, AMS KS35326 ), 23?, 2 /; Opossum Creek, upstream of Foamy Creek Road, Marengo State Forest , 308069S, 1528259E, Feb. 4–Apr. 9, 1993, pitfall, elev. 830 m (M. Gray, G. Cassis, AMS KS35343 ), 18?, 3/.

DISTRIBUTION: New South Wales (map 62).

Figures

Map 62. Records of Prionosternum porongurup, new species (squares), Graycassis marengo, new species (circle), and Asadipus uphill, new species (triangle).

Figs. 542–545. Graycassis marengo, new species. 542. Left male palp, ventral view. 543. Same, retrolateral view. 544. Epigynum, ventral view. 545. Same, dorsal view.