Bomis hippoponoi Szymkowiak, 2017

Szymkowiak, Paweł & Królikowska, Sylwia, 2017, Redescription of Bomis larvata L. Koch, 1874 with the description of a new Australian species, Zootaxa 4323 (4), pp. 451-468 : 459-466

Bomis hippoponoi Szymkowiak sp. nov.

Figs 29–55 .

Etymology. Hippop - refers to a hippopotamus-like shape of the clypeus. The word hippopotamus is derived from Greek. The suffix -onoi is established as a tribute to the Japanese arachnologist Hirotsugu Ono, one of the world most prominent arachnologists specializing in the taxonomy of Thomisidae .

Type material: Holotype: female, AUSTRALIA: South Australia: Second Valley, 8.5 km SSE, Fleurieu Swamp Survey , TOR 00903, [35°36’05”S, 138°16’45”E], 4–10 December 1996 ( SAM NN28137 ).

Paratypes: AUSTRALIA: New South Wales: 3 females, Lord Howe Island , December 1915 – January 1916, A.M. Lea leg., Rainbow 1920 det. as Diaea albiceris (misidentification) ( SAM NN257 ) . Queensland: 1 male, Brisbane, Carindale, Bulimba Creek , 15 m, forest, red gum woodland, sweeping net, 51650, [27°30.2’S, 153°06.6’E], 3 November 2003, S. Wright leg. ( QM S 67337 ) ; 1 male, Brisbane, Ransome, Chelsea Rd. , iron bank open forest, sweeping net, 51708, [27°29.0’S, 153°11.3’E], 10 November 2003, S. Wright leg. ( QM S 65914 ) ; 2 females, Upper Brookfield, Gold Creek Reserve , 140 m, spotted gum open forest, sweeping net, 51879, [27°27.9’S, 152°52.5’E], 23 February 2004, QM party leg. ( QM S 65535) ; 1 female, Brisbane, Victoria Point, Eprapah Creek , Corridor , 20 m, Pyrethrum open woodland, 19737, [27.586°S, 153.273°E], 10 February 2010, A. Nakamura, C.J. Burwell. leg. ( QM S 88202 ) . South Australia: 1 female, Mount Lofty Ranges, Aldinga Scrub , 14 September 1975, H.M. Cooper leg. ( SAM NN28184 ) ; 1 male, Aldgate , i1079, on bush, December 1984, B. Guerin leg. ( SAM NN370 ) ; 1 female, Aldgate , i1079, December 1984, detailed as B. larvata (misidentification), B. Guerin leg. ( SAM NN373 ) ; 1 female, Aldgate, Mount Lofty Ranges , on reeds, [35°01’00”S, 138°44’00”E], November 1984, B. Guerin leg. ( SAM NN28142 ) ; 1 male, Aldgate, Mount Lofty Ranges , on garden shrub, [35°01’00”S, 138°44’00”E], November 1984, B. Guerin leg. ( SAM NN28141 ) ; 4 males, 1 female, Mount Lofty Ranges, Blacks Bluff, Hallett Cove , on Beyeria leschenaultia , 24 January 1968, H.M. Cooper leg. ( SAM NN28172-6 ) ; 1 female, Mount Lofty Ranges, Hallett Cove, Black Bluff , on Bayeria leschenaultia , 14 August 1975, H.M. Cooper leg. ( SAM NN28183 ) ; 1 female, Mount Lofty Ranges, Hallett Cove, 1 mile S to Curlew Point and pt. Stanvac , foot of coastal cliffs, 1 February 1967, H.M. Cooper leg. ( SAM NN28140 ) ; 1 male, Adelaide district, Hallett Cove , beating, May 1967, [35°04’00”S, 138°30’00”E], H.M. Cooper leg. ( SAM NN28156-7 ) ; 1 female, Adelaide district, West Beach , on daisy bushes, 20 November 1975, [34°57’00”S, 138°30’00”E], R. Brooks leg. ( SAM NN28200 ) ; 1 female, Mount Lofty Ranges, Mount Lofty Ranges, Mount Compass , on coral fern, 28 May [year? no data], [35°21’00”S, 138°17’00”E], R. Cook leg. ( SAM NN28181 ) ; 1 male, Mount Lofty Ranges, Mount Compass (2.5 km NE), sweeping net, [35°20’00”S, 138°38’00”E], 10 December 1996, [WIL01202], ( SAM NN28151 ) ; 1 female, Sedan (10 km N) , 1 female, Mount Lofty Ranges, Mount Compass (9 km E), pitfall, [WIL 00802], [35°21’20”S, 138°43’01”E], 4–10 December 1996 ( SAM NN28186 ) ; Western Murray Flats , beating bushes, [34°34’00”S, 139°18’0”E], 1985 ( SAM NN28139 ) ; 3 females (one female detached, epigyne, prosoma and opisthosoma separately in microvial), Kangaroo Island, Cape Gantheaume, Point Tinline , [35°59’00”S, 137°37’0”E], 10–11 November 1987, B. Guerin leg. ( SAM NN28143-5 ) ; 1 male, 2 juveniles, Kangaroo Island, Muston , beating dense undergrowth, [35°48’15”S, 137°44’24”E], H.M. Cooper leg. ( SAM NN28153–5 ) ; 1 male, Kangaroo Island, Muston (2 miles W), [35°48’15”S, 137°44’24”E], 24 June 1975, H.M. Cooper leg. ( SAM NN28180 ) ; 1 female, Kangaroo Island., Muston , on Correa , 1 July 1967, H.M. Cooper leg. ( SAM NN28197 ) ; 2 females, Kangaroo Island, Point Reynolds (N of Pennington Bay), dense underscrub, 29 June 1967, H.M. Cooper leg. ( SAM NN28198–9 ) ; 1 male, 1 female, Sellicks Hill , dunes (shrubs), February 1967, H.M. Cooper leg. ( SAM NN28146–7 ) ; 1 female, Southern Flinders Ranges, Melrose , [32°50’00”S, 138°11’00”E], October [year? no data], A.M. Lea leg. ( SAM NN28152 ) ; 4 males, 12 females, Fleurieu Peninsula, Normanville, Bungala River , coastal sand dunes, 5 June 1967, H. M. Cooper leg. ( SAM NN28158–71 ) ; 1 female, Mount Barker Ranges, Mount Barker summit, [35°3’47”S, 138°55’16”E], 14 September 1975, A. Lees leg. ( SAM NN28182 ) ; 1 male, 7 females, Eyre Peninsula, 3 miles N of Ceduna, Denial Bay , coastal strip of sand dunes, 6 June 1968, H.M. Cooper leg. ( SAM NN28189–96 ) ; 2 females, Wallaroo, North end of bay, beaten off Olearia axillaris (?), [32°53’00”S, 135°37’00”E], 27 September 1968, H.M. Cooper leg. ( SAM NN28201–2 ) .

Other material examined. AUSTRALIA: Queensland: 2 subadult females , 1 subadult male, 1 juvenile, Brisbane, Ransome, Ransome Reserve , 10 m, Casuarina sp. woodland, sweeping net, [27°29.6’S, 153°11.1’E], 10 November 2003, S. Wright leg. ( QM S 65915 ) . South Australia: 13 juveniles, Mount Lofty Ranges, Blacks Bluff, Hallett Cove , on Beyeria leschenaultia , 24 January 1968, H.M. Cooper leg. ( SAM NN28172-6 ) ; 10 juveniles, Mount Lofty Ranges, Hallett Cove, Black Bluff , on Bayeria leschenaultia , 14 August 1975, H.M. Cooper leg. ( SAM NN28183 ) ; 1 juvenile, Adelaide district, West Beach , on daisy bushes, 20 November 1975, [34°57’00”S, 138°30’00”E], R. Brooks leg. ( SAM NN28200 ) ; 1 juvenile, Hallett Cove , on Alyxia buxifolia , 17 March 1967, H.M. Cooper leg. ( SAM NN28185 ) ; 28 juveniles, Sellicks Hill , dunes (shrubs), February 1967, H.M. Cooper leg. ( SAM NN28146–7 ) ; 1 subadult female, 2 juveniles, West Island, near Victor harbor, [35°37’00”S, 138°36’00”E], April 1989, S. Lewer leg. ( SAM NN28148–50 ) ; 1 juvenile, Southern Flinders Ranges, Mount Remarkable , summit, [32°49’00”S, 138°09’00”E], April 1967, H.M. Cooper leg. ( SAM NN28188 ) ; 1 juvenile, Eyre Peninsula, 3 miles N of Ceduna, Denial Bay , coastal strip of sand dunes, 6 June 1968, H.M. Cooper leg. ( SAM NN28189–96 ) .

Diagnosis. Anterior margin of clypeus straight ( Figs 36 , 39–40 ) with dense strobiliform and spinose setae ( Fig. 42 ). Venter of opisthosoma with one semi-circular apodeme in the middle and two pairs of small triangular apodemes on the ( Fig. 45 ). Epigyne 1.5 to 2 times wider than long with two protruding conical protuberances situated close to each other ( Figs 33 , 37 , 46 ); epigynal orifices directed posteriorly on top of two conical protuberances ( Fig. 46 ). Male palp with slightly curved bean-shape tegulum ( Figs 48 , 53 ); embolus one quarter the length of tegulum ( Figs 48 , 53–54 ) and protuberance on cymbial depression with plumose and bacilliform hairless setae situated in apical-cymbial depression ( Fig. 54 ); cymbial retrolateral margin without notch.

Description. Female: Body length: 2.38 (holotype), 1.72–3.30 (mean=2.15, SD±0.29, n=41), prosoma length: 0.98 (holotype), 0.87–1.25 (mean=1.06, SD±0.08, n=40), prosoma width: 1.00 (holotype), 0.84–1.22 (mean=1.02, SD±0.07, n=41), prosoma height: 0.62 (holotype), 0.49–0.85 (mean=0.69, SD±0.08, n=41), prosoma length/width ratio: 0.98 (holotype), mean 1.01 (n=41), opisthosoma length: 1.40 (holotype), 1.12–2.3 (mean=1.52, SD±0.24, n=41), opisthosoma width: 1.93 (holotype), 1.47–2.88 (mean=1.9, SD±0.28, n=41), opisthosoma height: 1.4 (holotype), 0.75–2.35 (mean=1.12, SD±0.36, n=41), opisthosoma length/width ratio: 0.72 (holotype), mean 0.80 (n=41). Prosoma convex, the highest point at half of its length, the widest about at half of its height ( Fig. 36 ); almost the whole dorsum including clypeus and the area of eyes (excluding the area of posterior declivity) are covered by small, numerous tubercles and tiny rounded cavities, best developed on clypeus ( Fig. 41 ); ratio of width to height is 1.47; shape of the prosoma resembles a head of a hippopotamus in frontal view ( Figs 36 , 39–40 ). Clypeus length 0.39, width 0.65; with rounded lateral margins ( Figs 36 , 39–40 ) covered by 12–14 strobiliform setae (diameter of 5 µm) projecting from small tubercles ( Fig. 42 ); the ratio of clypeus length to AME-AME distance 1.5. Eyes. All lenses are small, of nearly the same diameter (0.038 –0.042), rounded (except eliptical PME), ALE, PLE and PME form a separate group of eyes with lenses, separated by an equal distance from each other within a group, MOA takes the shape of a trapezium; AME-AME 0.26, AME-ALE 0.1, ALE-ALE 0.58, ALE-PLE 0.12, ALE-PME 0.13, PLE-PLE 0.59, AME-PME 0.2, PME-PME 0.24, PME-PLE 0.13, MOA length 0.26, MOA anterior width 0.26, MOA posterior width 0.32, x/y ratio 0.71, diameter of lenses: ALEŻPLEŻAME>PME, size of eyes tubercles: ALE>PLE=PME>AME. Chelicerae small fangs have a promarginal area with numerous short, peg-like setae ( Fig. 40 ). Labium triangular, significantly narrowing anteriorly, length 0.14, width 0.14; maxillae’s length 0.26; width of labium + maxillae 0.41. Sternum heart-shaped with raised margins, plain central part and shape of posterior part as wide caudal fish fin (1/3 width of the sternum) ( Fig. 43 ), ratio of maximum width of sternum to width of its posterior part is 2.24, integument reticulated with alveolate and nearly rounded small cavities ( Fig. 43 ) and plumose setae on surface; length 0.47, width 0.4. Integument of all legs is reticulated with numerous wrinkles, cavities, having a single trichobothrium dorsally on the anterior edges of metatarsi and five plumose setae dorsally on the tibiae’s posterior edges of legs I, II and IV; leg formula: II-I-IV-III.

Length of leg segments in females of Bomis hippoponoi sp. nov.

Dorsum of opisthosoma with apodemes in arrangement of 1-2-2 ( Fig. 44 ) with two elongated stripes from the centre of opisthosoma to its margins ( Fig. 44 ); eight folds around the sides. The epigyne wide, two outlines of adjoining peanut-shaped insemination ducts oriented towards each other initially, with highly sclerotized internal margins ( Figs 33 , 37 ); curled reproductive ducts make one turn toward the spherical spermathecae ( Figs 34 , 38 ). The prosoma is dark laterally and lighter in the middle, with incidental dark markings ( Figs 29, 31 ); the dorsum of the opisthosoma has a light anterior part and a separate white stripe or white paths extending above the intermediate pair of dorsal apodemes ( Figs 29, 31 ); the posterior part of the dorsum appears both light and darkcolored ( Figs 29, 31 ); marginal folds have usually several white spots ( Fig. 31 ).

Male: Body length: 1.38–1.7 (mean 1.57, SD±0.12, n=15), prosoma length: 0.75–1.44 (mean 0.9, SD ±0.16, n=15), prosoma width: 0.72–0.92 (mean 0.85, SD±0.05, n=15), prosoma height: 0.48–0.72 (mean 0.59, SD±0.06, n=15), prosoma length/width ratio: mean 1.06 (n=15), opisthosoma length: 0.82–1.25 (mean 1.12, SD±0.14, n=15), opisthosoma width: 1.1–1.48 (mean 1.31, SD±0.12, n=15), opisthosoma height: 0.6–1 (mean 0.77, SD±0.13, n=15), opisthosoma length/width ratio: mean 0.85 (n=15). The prosoma is as wide as long ( Figs 32 , 47 ), and is covered by numerous tubercles and rounded small cavities ( Fig. 50 ). The clypeus is 0.35 long with the ratio of its length to AME-AME distance being 2.0, the ventral margin is straight ( Figs 50–51 ) with numerous marginal strobiliform setae ( Fig. 51 ). All eyes and eye tubercles are small, ALE, PLE and PME tubercles of equal size, the x/ y ratio of 0.77, the diameter of lenses AME>ALE=PLE>PME, the size of eye tubercles ALE=PLE ≈ PME>AME. The legs have rugose surfaces covered by various types of setae, the most diverse on the tibiae (plain spiniform, spinose, robust ensiform with truncated tip, plumose with clavate shape) ( Fig. 52 ), two or three trichobothria are found on each tibia dorsally on the proximal end and one trichobothrium on each metatarsus on the dorsal side, the leg formula follows the pattern of I=II-III=IV. Embolus is short, one quarter the length of the tegulum ( Figs 48 , 53– 54 ). Cymbial depression with protuberance supplied by several hairy setae and one hairless, baciliform seta with circularly twisted furrows (groves) ( Fig. 54 ), on top of the cymbium there are numerous setae similar to the ventral cymbial protuberance ( Fig. 54 ). The palpal tibia has no apophyses ( Figs 48–49 , 53, 55 ), but four types of setae retrolaterally (baciliform, setiform, spiniform, clavate; all spinose) ( Figs 49 , 55 ). The other parts of the body and appendages correspond to the female description.

Distribution. The species has been recorded most frequently in Southern Australia. It was also collected in Queensland and in New South Wales (Lord Howe Island).

Habitat preferences. The species inhabits mainly shrubs, dense undergrowth and reeds. It is found in woodlands, gardens, on coastal cliffs and in sand dunes.

Remarks on identification. Though it is difficult to distinguish these two species in the field due to their small dimensions, the slightly divergent patterns on a female dorsal part of the abdomen is a good feature for the initial identification. The white transverse stripe is situated anteriorly to the intermediate pair of apodemes in females of B. hippoponoi but posteriorly in B. larvata . The two species are easily identified when the diagnostic features are analyzed with optical equipment. Also the ratio of the sternum’s width to the width of its posterior part (SWR) is slightly different. Mean SWR for B. larvata was 2.31 and for B. hippoponoi 2.24 ( Fig. 56 ). However, there is a zone of overlap, and the discriminant analysis did not separate the data set into two groups (Wilks' Lambda=0.95, F=2.51, p=0.11).

Figures

FIGURE 56. Mean ratio of the sternum width in its widest part to the width of its posterior part (SWR) in B. larvata and B. hippoponoi. BOMLAR, Bomis larvata; BOMHIP, Bomis hippoponoi.

FIGURES 29–34. Bomis hippoponoi, female and male. 29–30 habitus of holotype (29 dorsal, 30 frontal); 31 different pattern of habitus of female, dorsal; 32 habitus of male, dorsal; 33 epigyne, ventral; 34 vulva, dorsal. Scale bars: (29–31) = 0.5 mm; (32) = 0.4 mm; (33, 34) = 0.05 mm.

FIGURES 35–38. Bomis hippoponoi, female. 35 habitus, dorsal; 36 prosoma, frontal; 37 epigyne, ventral; 38 vulva, dorsal. Scale bars: (35, 36) = 1 mm; (37, 38) = 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 39–44. Bomis hippoponoi, female, SEM photos. 39 prosoma, frontal; 40 clypeus and chelicerae; 41 clypeus, surface of integument; 42 setae on margin of clypeus; 43 sternum, posterior; 44 opisthosoma, dorsum, anterior. PaR1-Pa1—width of marginal strobiliform seta (mss) (=5.684 µm). Scale bars: (39, 40) = 0.1 mm; (41, 43) 0.02 mm; (42) = 0.01 mm; (44) = 0.2 mm.

FIGURES 45–46. Bomis hippoponoi, female, SEM photos. 45 opisthosoma, venter, anterior; 46 epigyne, ventral. Scale bars: (45, 46) = 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 47–49. Bomis hippoponoi, male. 47 habitus, dorsal; 48–49 left pedipalp (48 ventral, 49 retrolateral). Scale bars: (47) = 1 mm; (48, 49) = 0.1 mm.

FIGURES 50–55. Bomis hippoponoi, male, SEM photos. 50 prosoma and fore legs, frontal; 51 clypeus and chelicerae; 52 setae on tibia of leg left II; 53 left pedipalp, ventral; 54 right pedipalp, apical, ventral; 55 right pedipalp, retrolateral. Scale bars: (50) = 0.2 mm; (51, 53, 55) = 0.03 mm; (52, 54) = 0.02.