Mitzoruga insularis, Raven, Robert J., 2009

Raven, Robert J., 2009, Revisions of Australian ground-hunting spiders: IV. The spider subfamily Diaprograptinae subfam. nov. (Araneomorphae: Miturgidae), Zootaxa 2035, pp. 1-40 : 26-29

Mitzoruga insularis sp. nov.

( Figs 17 a–g, 18a, b, 25a)

Material examined. Holotype. Male, Dudley Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island, 35°48'S 137°52'E, South Australia, 11–12 November 1987, D. Hirst ( SAMA NN 6218).

Paratypes. Allotype female, same data as holotype ( SAMA NN 6219). South Australia: 1 male, 8 females [3j], same data as holotype ( SAMA NN 6220–8); 2 males, Grassdale, Kelly Hill CP, Kangaroo Is, 9 November 1987, D. Hirst ( SAMA NN 6239–40); 1 male, Aldinga Scrub, 30 December 1986, D. Hirst ( SAMA NN 6229); 1 female, Dudley CP, Kangaroo Is, 2 November 1987, D. Hirst, ( SAMA NN 6243); 1 female, Sellicks–Aldinga Scrub, 16–26 June 1987, E. G. Mathews, J. A. Forest ( SAMA NN 6230); 1 female, [4j2p], Sellicks–Aldinga Scrub, 13 April 1987, D. Hirst ( SAMA NN 6273); 2 females, Bucks Camp Well, hill N of, Mt Rescue CP, 35°36'S 140°18'E, 18 March 1992, D. Hirst ( SAMA NN 6270–1); 3 females, same data ( SAMA NN 6267–9); 1 female, [4j], NE Jimmy's Well, 35°51'S 140°18'E, 20 March 1992, D. Hirst ( SAMA NN 6184); 2 females, Box Flat, 35°36'S 140°23'E, 19 March 1992, D. Hirst, mallee, litter (vibration) ( SAMA NN 6250–1); 2 females, 4km S Box Flat, 35°38'S 140°23'E, 19 March 1992, D. Hirst ( SAMA NN 6216–7); 1 female, 10km N Kelira, Hirst's Old Farm, 36°37'S 140°10'E, 22 March 1992, D. Hirst, vibration ( SAMA NN 6203); 2 females, Kellys Hills Caves, around Kangaroo Is, 2 December 1984, J. Thurmer ( SAMA NN 6241–2); 2 males, 4 females [1j1p], Cape Torrens CP, Kangaroo Is, end of Jump-off Rd, 4 November 1987, D. Hirst ( SAMA NN 6244–9); 4 females, Jimmy's Well, 35°17'S 140°02'E, 17 March 1992, D. Hirst ( SAMA NN 6211–3, NN 6272); 2 females, between Bucks Camp Well and Rabbit Is, 35°56'S 140°19'E, 18 March 1992, D. Hirst ( SAMA NN 6214–5); 1 female, 4km N Bucks Camp Well, Mt Rescue CP, 35°54'S 140°18'E, 18 March 1992, D. Hirst, vibration ( SAMA NN 6272); 1 male, 1 female, 2.4 km N Sandford Dam, Danggalli CP, 33°19'05"S, 140°54'49"E, 22 November 1996, D. Hirst ( SAMA NN 6123); 1 female, Koppio Hills, NW Todd R Reservoir, W side of Bald Hill, near creek, 26 March 1987, D. C. Lee and D. Hirst ( SAMA NN 6274); 1 female [1j], Kolay Hut, 32°33'S 135°36'E, 8–11 December 1989, D. Hirst ( SAMA NN 6232); 1 male, 18 miles E Abrakurrie, 4 January 1960, P. Aitken ( SAMA NN 6231); male, Kangaroo Is, Flinders Chase NP, West Bay, 35°54'S 136°32'E, pan trap, January 1986, A. D. Austin ( WAM 98/1694); 1 female, Crystal Brook Caravan Park, 33°21'S 138°12'E, South Australia, 21 April 1992, D. Hirst ( SAMA NN 6196); 7 females, Gum Lagoon CP, 36°17'S 140°20'E, 26 March1992, D. Hirst, vibration ( SAMA NN 6204–10); 1 male, Renmark, 14km WNW, 34°06'S 140°36'E, mallee on dune, pitfall and intercept traps, 13 December 1995 – 25 January 1996, K. R. Pullen (QM S70305). Western Australia: 2 females, Stirling Range NP, White Gum Flat, 34°24'S 117°55'E, 1 April 1993 (under wandoo bark), M. S. Harvey, J. M. Waldock ( WAM 98/ 1698–99); female, Huntingdale, 11 December 1988, A. F. Longbottom ( WAM 98/1695); female, Dwellingup, 32°43'S 116°04'E, Curara block, pitfall trap, 24 September 1976, J. D. Majer ( WAM 98/1696); 1 female, same locality, 1971, J. Springett (AMS KS52064); 3 females, Gelorup, lot 101, Gelorup Drive, 33°23'S 115°39'E, attracted to vibration of vehicle, 15 March 1996, K. F. and A. F. Longbottom ( WAM 98/ 1700–1703); 1 male, 1 female, Hepburn Heights (HH2), wet pitfalls, 31°49'07"S 115°46'11"E, 28 November 1995 – 29 January 1996, M. S. Harvey, J. M. Waldock ( WAM T74021, T74022); 1 male, Cannington Botanical Reserve, 32°01'29"S 115°58'57"E, December, 1986, W. Humphreys et al. ( WAM T56016); 1 male, 2 females, York, 10km SW, 31°57'S 116°42'E, rocky scrub, litter, 5 December 1996, R. J. Raven (QM S31462 ). New South Wales. 1 male, Gubatta (site 8G), 33°35'S 146°36'E, road verge, 6–14 December 1999, D. Driscoll (QM S53938 ); 1 male, as above but 12–18 October 1999 (QM S52895 ); 1 male, Gubatta (site 9G), 33°34'S 146°32'E, spinifex, 6–14 December 1999, D. Driscoll (QM S53772 ); 1 female, as above but 12–18 October 1999 (QM S52977); 1 female, Humbug Ck, 8km SW West Wyalong, 33°59'S 147°10'E, grassland, 18 December 1997 – 10 January 1998, K. and D. Krebs (QM S46702 ); 1 female, Taleeban (site 8T), 33°53'S 146°28'E, road verge, 3–10 November 1999, D. Driscoll (QM S52663 ). Victoria. 1 female, Murray Valley Highway, Skeleton Creek crossing, 36°07'S 145°11'E, 2–7 December 1994, S. Hinkley et al. ( NMV K4415).

Diagnosis. Males differ from those M. marmorea in the stouter palpal tibia ( Fig. 17 a), RTA and cymbium and the narrower median apophysis, and from M. elapines sp. nov. in the simple undivided median apophysis ( Fig. 17 c) and the absence of thorn-like spines on coxae I–III. Females differ from those of M. elapines sp. nov. in the broad epigynal septum that extends back to the epigynal fold.

Description. Male (holotype, SAMA NN6218)

Carapace 2.06 long, 1.59 wide. Abdomen 2.50 long, 1.25 wide. Total length, 4.8. Colour. Carapace fawn with narrow dark lateral bands and pair of wider paler paramedial bands to posterior declivity; eye region fawn. Abdomen dorsally pallid with narrow “V anteromedial; lateral of “V broader, irregular longitudinal bands. Legs concolourous with carapace, darker bands subbasally and distally on tibiae and metatarsi. Sternum, maxillae and labium fawn brown; abdomen ventrally pallid with light black mottling strong laterally and posteriorly but weakening centrally. Carapace. Uniform cover of long light brown hairs. ca. 10 long thick bristles project forward from clypeus. Eyes. ALE=PLE>AME=PME. Both rows clearly recurved, posterior row almost forming 2 rows. Chelicerae. Small, vertical; dentition, 3P, 2R. Sternum cordate; strong outward bristles on margin, weak centrally radial bristles otherwise, also present but shorter on ventral coxae including maxillae. Legs. ca. 17 long, thick, lanceolate bristles on retroventral edge of coxae IV only. Leg 1: 1.53, 0.78, 1.41, 1.16, 0.72; 5.60. Leg 2: 1.41, 0.81, 1.16, 1.16, 0.78; 5.41. Leg 3: 1.38, 0.75, 1.00, 1.13, 0.63; 4.89. Leg 4: 1.88, 0.97, 1.63, 1.88, 0.66; 7.02. Palp: 0.75, 0.31, 0.34, 0.78; 2.18. Scopula . Weak on metatarsi and tarsi I, II; sparse on tarsi III, IV. Spines. Very long spines basally on dorsal femora. I: fe pv1p1d2r2; pa0; ti p 2v 2.2.2; me v2.2. II: fe pv1p2d3r2; pa0; ti p 2v 2.2.2; me p 1v 2.2. III: fe pv1p2d3r3; pa 0; ti p2d2r 2v 4.2.2; me p1.2.1r2.2.1v2.2.1. IV: fe pv1p2d3r2; pa0; ti p2d2.1r 2v 4.2.2; me p2.2.2r2.2.2v2.2.1. Palp: fe p1d1.1.2; pa p1; ti p2d 2w. Palp. Tibia stout, as long as wide; RTA is two long conical prongs arising from common, short, domed base with transverse ridge marking narrow unsclerotised distal face. n (or inverted U)-shaped tegulum with low, small, translucent groove forming conductor. Median apophysis central, narrow, apical hook offset lower than base. Embolus origin gourd-shaped. Cymbium asymmetrical with short rounded apex and distinct wide sclerotised ridge retrolaterally for full length, strong comb of curved setae ectally; apically a wide band of thick, recurved setae; prolaterally with unmodified setae.

Female (allotype, SAMA NN6219)

Carapace 2.47 long, 1.88 wide. Abdomen 3.19 long, 2.03 wide. Total length, 6.2. Colour. Carapace like male. Abdomen dorsally dark with medial dark “V with ectal arms forming irregular dark chevrons; ventrally as male; legs as male but darker bands. Claws. With tufts, like male; palpal claw with 3 teeth and no tuft. No modified setae on coxae. Legs. I: 1.53, 1.03, 1.16, 0.97, 0.59; 5.28. II: 1.47, 0.88, 1.09, 1.09, 0.53; 4.81. III: 1.38, 0.81, 0.94, 0.97, 0.53; 4.63. IV: 1.97, 1.06, 1.63, 1.78, 0.66; 7.10. Palp: 1.09, 0.38, 0.41, 0.63; 2.51. Spines. No paired lateral spines on metatarsi III, as on IV. I: fe pv1d2w; pa0; ti v1.2.2w; me v2 basal. II: fe p1d2w; pa0; ti v1.2.2w; me v2 basal. III: fe pv1p2d3r1; pa0; ti p2r 2v 3.2.2; me p1r 1v 2.1. IV: fe p2d3r2; pa0; ti p2d2.1r 2v 3.2.2; me p2.2.2r2.2.2v2.2.1. Palp: fe d1.1.2; pa p2; ti p2; ta p2r 2v 2 apical. Scopula . Dense, but not obscuring cuticle on metatarsi and tarsi I, II; absent on tibiae. Epigyne ( Figs 18 a, b). Anteriorly with isolated pair of procurved lunate fossae; posteriorly with narrow medial septum with rounded lateral lobes.

Distribution and habitat. Known from southwestern Western Australia from low sand dunes, with low mallee, some Triodia , heath or low eucalypts; on Kangaroo Island and north of Adelaide, South Australia and western Victoria and New South Wales.

Figures

FIGURE 17. Mitzoruga insularis sp. nov., male and female: a – d, male palpal tibia and cymbium, scanning electron micrographs, ventral view (a), cymbium and tibia ventral view (b), RTA tip, ventral view (c), bulb close-up, retrolateral view (d); e, female spermathecae, dorsal view; f, female tarsus I, showing claw tufts and trichobothria; g, female, dorsal view. Scale lines: f as for d, 2 mm for g.

FIGURE 18. Mitzoruga insularis sp. nov., allotype, female SAM NN 6219: a, b, epigyne, external (a) and internal (b) views.