Prodidomus rufus Hentz

Platnick, N. I. & Baehr, B., 2006, A Revision Of The Australasian Ground Spiders Of The Family Prodidomidae (Araneae: Gnaphosoidea), Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2006 (298), pp. 1-287 : 13-20

Prodidomus rufus Hentz Figures 24–28

Prodidomus rufus Hentz, 1847: 467 , pl. 12, fig. 3 (female holotype from Alabama, no specific locality, destroyed). — Banks, 1892: 259, figs. 12.1–4 (juvenile). — Bryant, 1935: 164, fig. 1 (female); 1949: 22, fig. 1 (male). — Cooke, 1964: 266, figs. 15, 29, 30 (male, female). – Platnick, 1976: 38, figs. 4, 5 (female). — Hu and Wang, 1981: 51, figs. 1–8 (male, female). — Song, 1987: 342, fig. 296 (male, female).

Miltia gulosa Simon, 1884 : CLXI (female holotype from Nouméa, New Caledonia, in MNHN, examined). NEW SYNONYMY.

Prodidomus gulosus: Simon, 1893a: 333 , figs. 296– 299 (female). – Dalmas, 1919: 318, fig. 26 (female).

Prodidomus imaidzumii Kishida, 1914: 324 (female holotype from Iyo, Ehime Prefecture, Skikoku, Japan, lost). — Yaginuma, 1960: 117, pl. 53, fig. 97 (female). — Platnick, 1976: 38, figs. 1–3 (female). — Chen and Zhang, 1991: 240, figs. 250.1–5 (male, female). — Song et al., 1999: 432, figs. 14E, 258L–O (male, female). NEW SYNONYMY.

Hyltonia scottae Birabén, 1954: 13 , figs. 1–7 (male holotype from Posadas, Misiones, Argentina, in MLP, examined). NEW SYNONYMY.

DIAGNOSIS: Specimens of this species can easily be separated from the other Australasian members of the genus by their widely divergent, geniculate chelicerae, as well as their very different genitalia (figs. 24–28).

MALE: Total length 4.30. Carapace 2.00 long, 1.62 wide, 0.44 high, length/width 1.23; sternum 1.10 long, 0.90 wide, length/width 1.22; abdomen 2.30 long, 1.40 wide; coxa I 0.94 long; relative length of coxae I–IV 1.00:0.64:0.53:0.68. Carapace, sternum, mouthparts, legs orange; abdomen cinnamon brown, venter pale. Carapace flattened; sternum ovoid, reaching between coxae IV, with precoxal and intercoxal sclerites. PME, PLE procurved; AME, ALE straight; PLE largest, triangular; eye group width 0.56 of

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Figs. 18–23. Left tarsus IV of female, showing claws and claw tufts. 18. Prodidomus woodleigh , new species, retrolateral view. 19. Molycria quadricauda (Simon) , retrolateral view. 20. Wydundra carinda , new species, retrolateral view. 21, 23. Wesmaldra bidgemia , new species, retrolateral and ventral views. 22. Cryptoerithus occultus Rainbow , retrolateral view.

head width; AME 0.14; ALE 0.14; PME 0.14; PLE 0.16; AME–AME 0.06; AME–ALE 0.02; PME–PME 0.14; PME–PLE 0.00; ALE–PLE 0.00; eye group AME–PME 0.40; AME–AME 0.34; PME–PME 0.44. Clypeus 0.06 high. Chelicerae widely divergent, geniculate, without teeth; endites long, convergent, anteriorly pointed, without serrula; labium inverted u-shaped. Abdomen

covered with gray setae, ALS 0.13 of abdominal length, contiguous, with long piriform gland spigots; PLS greatly enlarged, canoe-shaped. Femora I, II dorsally incrassate. Palp (figs. 24–26): cymbium retrolaterally straight, with dorsoapical scopula; conductor, median apophysis, terminal apophysis absent; sperm duct semicircular; embolus thickened, sinuous, originating prolaterally, embolar base hidden behind tegulum; most dorsal prong of retrolateral tibial apophysis long, sharply pointed.

FEMALE: Total length 4.96. Carapace 2.04 long, 1.72 wide, 0.70 high, length/width 1.19; sternum 1.20 long, 0.96 wide, length/ width 1.25; abdomen 2.92 long, 1.80 wide; coxa I 0.82 long; relative length of coxae I– IV 1.00:0.73:0.65:0.78. Coloration as in male. Eye sizes as in male, but eye group width 0.52 of head width; AME–AME 0.08; PME–PME 0.18; AME–AME 0.36; PME– PME 0.46. ALS 0.12 of abdominal length. Epigynum (figs. 27, 28) with two large, lateral, inverted u-shaped copulatory openings; epigynal ducts wide, spermathecae widely separated.

MATERIAL EXAMINED: Argentina: Misiones: Posadas, Dec. 6, 1948 (M. Birabén, MLP), 1Oi (holotype). Chile: Región de Antofagasta (II): Antofagasta, 1989 (J. Vidal, IBU 4664), 1♀. Japan: Honshu: Wakayama Pref.: Shirahama, Dec. 29, 1969 (H. Minato, OGU), 1♀. Kyushu: Miyazaki Pref.: Miyazaki City, Aug. 6, 1959 (I. Kayashima, OGU), 1♀. New Caledonia: Nouméa (Savès, MNHN), 1♀ (holotype). St. Helena: no specific locality, Sept. 26, 2003 (P., M. Ashmole, CJM), 1Oi, Oct. 29, 2003 (P., M. Ashmole, CJM), 1♀. United States: California: Imperial Co.: San Felipe Creek, 1 mi W Harpers Well, July 11, 1968, dune association (M. Irwin, P. Rauch, UCR), 1♀. Kings Co.: Kettleman Hills, Feb. 4, 1994, under rocks and boards (W. Tyson, CDFA), 1♀. Los Angeles Co.: possibly Claremont, late summer 1995 ( UCR), 1♀. Riverside Co.: 600 Central Ave., 0.25 mi W Sycamore Canyon Park, Riverside, May 27, 1995, on bathroom faucet (R. Vetter, AMNH), 1Oi, Feb. 19, 1996, on dining room wall at night during rainy weather (R. Vetter, AMNH), 1♀. Texas: Bexar Co.: San Antonio, Nov. 18, 1939 (W. Kaller, AMNH), 1♀. Dallas Co.: Bluff View, on N.W. Highway, Dallas, May 16, 1935, under stone (S. Jones, MCZ), 1♀. Denton Co.: Denton, Dec. 4, 1946, in house (S. Jones, MCZ), 1Oi.

DISTRIBUTION: Widespread, probably synanthropic; recorded from China, Japan, New Caledonia, the United States, Cuba (Alayón, 1992), Argentina, and Chile, probably widespread from the Mediterranean to southern Africa as well (under such probable synonyms as P. hispanicus Dalmas , P. geniculosus Dalmas , and P. capensis Purcell ).

SYNONYMY: Platnick (1976) commented on the remarkable similarity between the Japanese species Prodidomus imaidzumii and the North American type species of the genus, P. rufus . Over subsequent years, additional material has become available, including modern specimens from California and Chile. These newly available females indicate that the slight epigynal differences observed among the few specimens available in 1976 all fall within the range of variation shown by Californian specimens alone. It now seems likely that this species is very widespread, that its presence in North America may be due only to human transport, and that other synonyms probably exist. Indeed, it is possible that most of the described taxa with widely divergent chelicerae (i.e., the members of the rufus group of Dalmas, 1919: 316, and group 4 of Cooke, 1964: 260) are actually synonyms of P. rufus . Surprisingly, though, the species described from Hawaii as Prodidomus singulus by Suman (1967) clearly belongs to a different species group.

Prodidomus woodleigh , new species

Figures 4, 11, 18, 29–34; Map 1

TYPES: Male holotype and female allotype taken in pitfall traps at Woodleigh Station , 26 ° 129S, 114 ° 329E, Western Australia (Aug. 22–Oct. 11, 1994; M. Harvey), deposited in WAM (T45022) .

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

DIAGNOSIS: Males resemble those of P. beattyi but have a shorter embolus (fig. 30); females also resemble those of P. beattyi but have more highly convoluted lateral epigynal ducts (fig. 33).

MALE: Total length 1.90. Carapace 0.86 long, 0.60 wide, 0.20 high, length/width 1.43; sternum 0.60 long, 0.44 wide, length/width 1.36; abdomen 1.04 long, 0.80 wide; coxa I 0.30 long; relative length of coxae I–IV 1.00:0.66:0.47:0.66. Body, legs pale, abdomen covered with gray setae. PLE largest, triangular; eye group width 0.65 of head width; AME 0.06; ALE 0.10; PME 0.08; PLE 0.12; AME–AME 0.02; AME–ALE 0.00; PME– PME 0.02; PME–PLE 0.00; ALE–PLE 0.00; eye group AME–PME 0.26; AME–AME 0.14; PME–PME 0.18. Clypeus 0.02 high. Labium triangular. ALS 0.11 of abdominal length, contiguous. Palp (figs. 29–31): con- ductor originating distally, spatulate; embolus prolaterally situated, thin, straight, hidden behind tegulum; most dorsal prong of retrolateral tibial apophysis blunt, together with other two prongs on common mound.

FEMALE: Total length 2.84. Carapace 1.24 long, 0.96 wide, 0.40 high, length/width 1.29; sternum 0.86 long, 0.62 wide, length/ width 1.38; abdomen 1.60 long, 1.34 wide; coxa I 0.40 long; relative length of coxae I–IV 1.00:0.65:0.60:1.00. Coloration as in male. Eye group width 0.58 of head width; AME 0.08; ALE 0.08; PME 0.10; PLE 0.10; AME– AME 0.04; eye group AME–PME 0.28; AME–AME 0.20; PME–PME 0.24. ALS 0.15 of abdominal length. Epigynum (figs. 32, 33) with copulatory opening mshaped, connected to epigastric fold.

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED: Western Australia: Barlee Range Nature Reserve , 23 ° 069S, 116 ° 009E, Sept. 1995, pitfall (S. van Leeuwen, B. Bromilow, WAM 99 /650), 1 Oi ; Barrow Island , WAPET camp, 20 ° 509S, 115 ° 279E, Nov. 5–Dec. 3, 1993, pitfalls (M. Harvey, J. Waldock, WAM T45045), 1 Oi, 1♀ ; Barrow Island, 1 km W Warehouse, 20 ° 449S, 115 ° 269E, Nov. 4–Dec. 3, 1993, pitfalls (M. Harvey, J. Waldock, WAM T45046), 5 Oi ; Boolathana Station , 24 ° 259S, 113 ° 409E, Sept. 30, 1994 – Jan. 15, 1995, pitfall (N. McKenzie, J. Rolfe, WAM T44992), 1 Oi, 2♀ ; Boolathana Station, 24 ° 259S, 113 ° 419E, Aug. 20–Sept. 30, 1994, pitfall (A. Sampey, WAM T44993), 1 Oi , Sept. 30, 1994 – Jan. 15, 1995, pitfall (N. McKenzie, J. Rolfe, WAM T44994), 1♀ ; Boolathana Station, 24 ° 259S, 113 ° 429E, Aug. 20–Sept. 30, 1994, pitfall (A. Sampey, WAM T44995), 1♀, Sept. 30, 1994 – Jan. 15, 1995, pitfall (N. McKenzie, J. Rolfe, WAM T44996, 44997 ), 2 Oi , 1♀, Jan. 15– May 29, 1995, pitfall (J. Waldock, WAM T44998), 1♀, May 29–Aug. 25, 1995, pitfall (N. Hall, WAM T44999), 1♀ ; Boolathana Station, 24 ° 259S, 113 ° 459E, Aug. 20–Sept. 30, 1994, pitfalls (A. Sampey, WAM T45000), 1 Oi , 3♀, Sept. 30, 1994 – Jan. 15, 1995, pitfalls (N. McKenzie, J. Rolfe, WAM T45001), 2♀, Jan. 15–May 31, 1995, pitfall (J. Waldock, WAM T45002), 2♀ ; Boolathana Station , 24 ° 259S, 113 ° 469E, Aug. 20–Sept. 30, 1994, pitfalls (A. Sampey, WAM T45003), 1 Oi, 2♀ ; Bush Bay, 25 ° 059S, 113 ° 439E, Aug. 16–Sept. 30, 1994, pitfalls (M. Harvey, WAM T45004), 3 Oi , Jan. 16–May 23, 1995, pitfall (P. West, WAM T45005), 1 Oi ; Cape Cuvier, Quobba Station , 24 ° 139S, 113 ° 289E, Aug. 21–Sept. 29, 1994, pitfalls (P. West, WAM T45007), 2 Oi, 1♀ ; Cape Cuvier, Quobba Station , 24 ° 139S, 113 ° 309E, Aug. 21–Sept. 28, 1994, pitfall (P. West, WAM T45006), 1♀ ; NW Cape Peninsula, near cave C-163, 22 ° 099S, 114 ° 099E, June 2, 1990 (J. Waldock, WAM 99 /649), 1 Oi ; Kennedy Range National Park , 24 ° 309S, 115 ° 019E, Aug. 18–Oct. 6, 1994, pitfall (M. Harvey, WAM T45008), 1♀, Oct. 6, 1994 – Jan. 14, 1995, pitfall (N. McKenzie, J. Rolfe, WAM T45009), 1 Oi ; Kennedy Range National Park, 24 ° 319S, 114 ° 589E, Aug. 18–Oct. 4, 1994, pitfall (M. Harvey, WAM T45010), 1 Oi , May 29–Aug. 28, 1995, pitfalls (N. Hall, WAM T45011), 2♀ ; Kennedy Range National Park , 24 ° 339S, 114 ° 589E, Aug. 18– Oct. 4, 1994, pitfall (M. Harvey, WAM T45012), 1♀ ; Mardathuna Station , 24 ° 269S, 114 ° 309E, Jan. 14–May 24, 1995, pitfall (A. Sampey, WAM T45014), 1♀ ; Mardathuna Station , 24 ° 279S, 114 ° 301E, Aug. 19–Oct. 5, 1994, pitfall (P. West, WAM T45013), 2♀ ; Meedo Station , 25 ° 379S, 114 ° 429E, Aug. 22– Oct. 11, 1994, pitfall (N. Mckenzie, J. Rolfe, WAM T45016), 1♀ ; Meedo Station , 25 ° 399S, 114 ° 389E, Oct. 11, 1994 – Jan. 12, 1995, pitfall (P. West, WAM T45015), 1♀ ; Meedo Station , 25 ° 419S, 114 ° 379E, Aug. 22–Oct. 11, 1994, pitfall (P. West, WAM T45017), 2♀ ; Nerren Nerren Station , 27 ° 009S, 114 ° 329E, May 11– Aug. 18, 1995, pitfall (N. Hall, WAM T45019), 1♀ ; Nerren Nerren Station , 27 ° 039S, 114 ° 349E, Oct. 16, 1994 – Jan. 11, 1995, pitfall (N. McKenzie, J. Rolfe, WAM T45018), 1♀ ; Nerren Nerren Station , 27 ° 039S, 114 ° 369E, Oct. 16, 1994 – Jan. 11, 1995, pitfall (N. McKenzie, J. Rolfe, WAM T45020), 1♀ ; Woodleigh Station , 26 ° 129S, 114 ° 259E, Oct. 10, 1994 – Jan. 12, 1995, pitfall (N. McKenzie, J. Rolfe, WAM T45024), 1♀, Jan. 12–May 17, 1995, pitfall (P. West, WAM T45025), 1♀, May 17–Aug. 21, 1995, pitfall (N. Hall, WAM T45026), 1♀ ; Woodleigh Station , 26 ° 129S, 114 ° 329E, Oct. 11, 1994 – Jan. 12, 1995, pitfall (N. McKenzie, J. Rolfe, WAM T45023), 1♀ ; Woodleigh Station , 26 ° 139S, 114 ° 359E, Aug. 22–Oct. 12, 1994, pitfalls (M. Harvey, WAM T45021), 1 Oi, 1♀ ; Woodstock Station, 21 ° 379S, 118 ° 589E, Feb. 10–17, 1989, pitfall (J. Dell, R. How, J. Waldock, WAM T45044), 1 Oi ; Zuytdorp , 27 ° 169S, 114 ° 049E, Oct. 17, 1994 – Jan. 11, 1995, pitfall (N. McKenzie, J. Rolfe, WAM T45027), 1♀ .

DISTRIBUTION: Known only from Western Australia (map 1).

Prodidomus sampeyae , new species

Figures 35–39; Map 2

TYPE: Male holotype taken in pitfall trap at Bidgemia Station, Gasgoyne Junction , 25 ° 139S, 115 ° 319E, Western Australia (Aug. 17–Oct. 4, 1994; A. Sampey), deposited in WAM (T45028) .

ETYMOLOGY: The specific name honors Miss Alison Sampey, the collector of the holotype.

DIAGNOSIS: Males can easily be recognized by the thickened embolus (fig. 36), females by the m-shaped posterior epigynal margin (fig. 38).

MALE: Total length 2.14. Carapace 0.94 long, 0.66 wide, 0.26 high, length/width 1.42; sternum 0.70 long, 0.54 wide, length/width 1.29; abdomen 1.20 long, 0.82 wide; coxa I 0.36 long; relative length of coxae I–IV 1.00:0.66:0.55:0.83. Body, legs pale yellow. Eye group width 0.71 of head width; AME 0.08; ALE 0.08; PME 0.10; PLE 0.10; AME– AME 0.02; AME–ALE 0.00; PME–PME 0.02; PME–PLE 0.00; ALE–PLE 0.00; eye group AME–PME 0.24; AME–AME 0.18; PME–PME 0.20. Clypeus 0.03 high. Abdomen covered with gray setae; ALS 0.16 of abdominal length, slightly separated. Palp (figs. 35–37): conductor originating prodistally, spatulate; embolus thickened, originating basally; most dorsal prong of retrolateral tibial apophysis blunt, on common mound together with other two prongs.

FEMALE: Total length 3.20. Carapace 1.38 long, 1.10 wide, 0.40 high, length/width 1.25; sternum 0.84 long, 0.74 wide, length/ width 1.13; abdomen 1.82 long, 1.52 wide; coxa I 0.44 long; relative length of coxae I–IV 1.00:0.77:0.72:0.95. Coloration as in male. Eye group width 0.63 of head width; ALE 0.10; PME 0.12; PLE 0.14; AME–AME 0.06; PME–PME 0.06; eye group AME–PME 0.32; AME–AME 0.22; PME–PME 0.28. Clypeus 0.06 high. ALS 0.11 of abdominal length. Epigynum (figs. 38, 39) with two medium sized, lateral, inverted u-shaped copulatory openings, connected to epigastric fold; anterior epigynal ducts enlarged, spermathecae widely separated.

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED: Western Australia: Bidgemia Station, Gasgoyne Junction,

2006 PLATNICK AND BAEHR: AUSTRALASIAN PRODIDOMIDAE 19

25 ° 139S, 115 ° 319E, Jan. 13–June 5, 1995, pitfall (J. Waldock, WAM T45029), 1♀ ; Wiluna, 26 ° 369S, 120 ° 139E, 1997, grazing, chenopod (H. Pringle, MNT A003361 ), 1♀ .

DISTRIBUTION: Known only from Western Australia (map 2).

Prodidomus kimberley , new species Figures 40–44; Map 1 TYPE: Male holotype taken under rock in

savanna woodland along Victoria Highway, 26.2 km E Kununurra, Kimberley Region , 15 ° 539S, 128 ° 569E, Western Australia (May 26, 1999; M. Gray, G. Milledge, H. Smith), deposited in AMS ( KS57258 ) .

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

DIAGNOSIS: Males can easily be recognized by the long embolus which originates near the posterior edge of the tegulum (fig. 41), females by the similarly long and narrow median and lateral epigynal ducts (fig. 44).

MALE: Total length 1.98. Carapace 0.78 long, 0.60 wide, 0.20 high, length/width 1.30; sternum 0.56 long, 0.46 wide, length/width 1.22; abdomen 1.20 long, 0.70 wide; coxa I 0.28 long; relative length of coxae I–IV 1.00:0.71:0.57:0.71. Body, legs pale. PLE largest, rectangular; eye group width 0.65 of head width; AME 0.06; ALE 0.08; PME 0.10; PLE 0.08; AME–AME 0.02; AME–ALE 0.00; PME–PME 0.02; PME– PLE 0.00; ALE–PLE 0.00; eye group AME– PME 0.22; AME–AME 0.16; PME–PME 0.18. Clypeus 0.02 high. Carapace and abdomen covered with gray setae. ALS 0.15 of abdominal length, slightly separated. Palp (figs. 40–42): conductor and median apophysis absent; embolus long, thin, semicircular, originating basally, embolar base hidden behind tegulum; most dorsal prong of retrolateral tibial apophysis blunt, on common mound together with other two prongs.

FEMALE: Total length 1.80. Carapace 0.90 long, 0.68 wide, 0.18 high, length/width 1.32; sternum 0.70 long, 0.44 wide, length/ width 1.59; abdomen 0.90 long, 0.64 wide; coxa I 0.26 long; relative length of coxae I–IV 1.00:0.61:0.53:0.77. Coloration as in male. Eye group width 0.68 of head width; PME 0.12; PLE 0.10; AME–AME 0.14. ALS 0.22 of abdominal length. Epigynum (figs. 43, 44) with two small, lateral, semicircular copulatory openings, connected to epigastric fold; anterior and median part of epigynal ducts thin, anteriorly curled, spermathecae widely separated.

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED: Northern Territory: Mount Sanford Station , 17 ° 189S, 130 ° 459E, July 3–9, 1996, pitfall, loam soil (T. Churchill, MNT A000958 ), 1 Oi ; Mirrai, Mount Cahill, Kakadu National Park , 12 ° 539S, 132 ° 429E, July 5–7, 1994, under stone (M. Harvey, D. Hyder, WAM T45040), 1 Oi ; Sherwin Creek, 14 ° 439S, 134 ° 189E, May 1996, savanna (A. Hertog, MNT A000988 ), 1 Oi. Western Australia: Great Northern Highway , 52 km N Turkey Creek, Kimberley Region, 16 ° 389S, 128 ° 129E, June 1–12, 1999, pitfall, savanna woodland, base of rocky outcrop (M. Gray, G. Milledge, H. Smith, AMS KS57263 ), 1♀ ; Point Spring Nature Reserve, NNW Kununurra, Kimberley Region , 15 ° 259S, 128 ° 539E, May 29–June 11, 1999, pitfall, savanna woodland, base of rocky outcrop (M. Gray, G. Milledge, H. Smith, AMS KS57253 ), 1 Oi .

DISTRIBUTION: Known only from Western Australia and the Northern Territory (map 1).