Diaprograpta peterandrewsi, 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 : 13-16

Diaprograpta peterandrewsi sp. nov.

( Figs 7 a, b, 8a–d, 9a, b, 25a, 26a)

Material examined. Holotype. Male, Allen Range, S of Winton, 22°35'15.6"S, 142°56'23.3"E, Queensland, 29 June–7 September 2006, R. Raven, B. Baehr, A. Amey (QM S76030), site G029, alt. 227m.

Paratypes. Female allotype, Mt Cameron, Winton, 22°59' S 14233'E, Queensland, 15–28 May 1977, A. Rozefelds (QM S39453 ); 1 female, taken with allotype (QM S7295).

Diagnosis. The male differs from that of D. hirsti sp. nov. in the longer tapering RTA ( Fig. 7 ), smaller and less undulate embolic base and sharply folder hook of median apophysis. Females differ from those of D. striola in the more rectangular shape of the septum ( Figs 8 c, 9a) and the presence of a third pair of spines on tibiae I and II and in being bigger spiders.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a patronym in honour both of Mr Peter Andrews, in small recognition of his revolutionary approach to the Australian environment documented in his book, Back from the Brink: how Australia's landscape can be saved and epinomously for Dr Peter Andrews, Chief Scientist, Queensland Government, for his contribution to advancing scientific research in Queensland.

Description. Male (holotype, QM S76030)

Carapace 3.88 long, 2.94 wide. Abdomen 3.63 long, 2.50 wide. Colour. As for D. striola . Spines. One very long basal spine on dorsal femora 3, other dorsal femoral spines broken. Absent on leg patellae. I: fe pv1p1d1.1; ti p 1v 2.2.2; me p 1v 2.2. II: fe p3d4r1; ti p 2v 2.2.2; me p 2v 2.2. III: fe p2d3r3; ti p2d2r 2v 2.2.2; me p3d2r1.2.1v2.2.2. IV: fe p1d3r3; ti p2d2.1r 2v 2.2.2; me p2.1.2.2r2.1.1.2.2v2.2. Palp: fe pv1p1d1.1.2; pa p1; ti p3. Legs. Very long dorsal seta on distal patellae and basal and distal on tibiae. I: 3.44, 1.56, 3.00, 2.63, 1.63, 12.25. II: 2.56, 1.38, 2.50, 2.56, 1.31, 10.31. III: 2.88, 1.25, 2.13, 2.56, 1.38, 9.56. IV: 4.06, 1.56, 3.56, 3.75, 1.56, 14.50. Palp: 1.50, 0.69, 0.63, –, 1.56, 4.38. Scopula . Light but distinct on leg tarsi through distal third of metatarsi I–IV. Palp. Patella with dorsodistal rounded process fitting into sclerotised notch on basal tibia. Tibia stout, ventrally dominated by glabrous "saddle", probasally incrassate, smaller than large RTA, prodistal edge with sclerotised trianguloid plate apically inserting into cymbium; RTA long, complex rolled or fluted into large trianguloid process, retrolateral face pallid, unsclerotised, dorsal edge with darkly sclerotised area terminating with upwardly directed (into side of cymbium) small sclerotised lobe, retroventral edge of tibia adjacent to base of RTA a small sclerotised trianguloid lobe forming cleft with base of RTA. Cymbium lacks apical scopula , promargin with long bristles, with broad, strongly sclerotised deep groove retrobasally with line of closely curved dark bristles along upper edge extending from base for 0.6 length of cymbium; distal of groove along cymbial edge, a strong band of long curved hairs adpressed closely to the bulb; apex of cymbium almost absent. Bulb: embolus origin basal, almost on prolateral edge, long, clockwise to end above median apophysis. Median apophysis roughly rectanguloid, long, with large prodistal trianguloid keeled process, probasally with a diagonal groove, retrobasally with digitiform lobe arising from dorsal face. Tegulum broadly domed.

Female (allotype, QM S39453 )

Carapace 3.38 long, 2.50 wide. Abdomen 6.06 long, 3.25 wide. Colour. As for D. striola . Eyes. AME ca. 0.5 ALE. Anterior row recurved, posterior row recurved so posterior edge of PME and anterior edge of PLE form common line. Spines. Very long basal spine on dorsal femora I–IV. Absent on leg patellae. I: fe p1.d1.1; ti v2.2; me v2. II: fe p2d1.1; ti v2.1; me v2. III: fe p3d3r1; ti p2r 2v 2.2.1; me p2r 2v 2.1. IV: fe p1d3r1; ti p2d2r 2v 2.2.2; me p1.2.2r1.2.2v2.1.1. Palp: fe d1.2; pa p1d1; ti p3d2; ta p2d1r2 and v2 pair subdistally. Legs. Very long dorsal seta on distal patellae and basal and distal on tibiae. Tarsi IV laterally bowed. Scopula . On all tarsi; for metatarsi I, for full length but denser in distal half; II, in distal third; III, IV for distal quarter. Claws. Tufts dense; paired claws each with 4 teeth. Spinnerets. Colulus a small, round, hirsute zone. ALS conical; PMS cylindrical; PLS cylindrical with triangular apical segment. Epigyne ( Fig. 9 ). Broad median rounded scape with lateral lobes forming short triangular process.

Distribution and Habitat. Known only from Winton, western Queensland, from an area of open grassland ( Fig. 26 a).

Figures

FIGURE 7. Diaprograpta peterandrewsi sp. nov., holotype male, palpal tibia, cymbium and bulb: a, ventral view, b, retrolateral view.

FIGURE 8. Diaprograpta peterandrewsi sp. nov., allotype, female: a, b: carapace and abdomen, dorsal (a) and ventral (b) views; c, spinnerets, ventral view; d, epigyne, external view. Scale line: a, 2 mm; b, 1.16 mm; c; 0.5 mm; d, 0.34 mm.

FIGURE 9. Diaprograpta peterandrewsi sp. nov. allotype, female: a, b, epigyne, external (a) and internal (b) views

FIGURE 26. Habitats of miturgid species: a, Diaprograpta peterandrewsi sp. nov., Ayrshire Hills, near Winton, Western Queensland (Photo: Andrew Amey); b, Diaprograpta abrahamsae sp. nov. and Nuliodon fishburni sp. nov., Chelsea bushland, near Brisbane (Photo: R. Raven).