Frewena Richardson, 2013

Richardson, Barry J., 2022, Additions to the euophryine jumping spider fauna (Araneae: Salticidae) of Australia, Zootaxa 5141 (3), pp. 249-269 : 262-263

Frewena Richardson, 2013

Frewena Richardson, 2013: 466 .

Type species. Frewena maculata Richardson, 2013

Revised Diagnosis. This Australian genus of very small unidentate spiders can be distinguished from other euophryine genera by the shape of the spermatheca. This is subdivided into two compartments placed one on top of the other and with a well-formed long narrow diverticulum off the ventral compartment. The paired fossae are separated by a distinct septa and include two S-shaped guides. The male has a long embolus forming an anticlockwise spiral. L3 is the longest leg in both sexes.

Remarks. Frewena was described on the basis of material from the Northern Territory.A second species of this genus has now been collected from central Queensland ( Fig. 60 ). L 3 in both species is much longer than the other legs but without strong markings or fringes, raising the possibility they are related to the Maratus Karsch, 1878 group amongst the Australian euophryines ( Otto & Hill 2021). Alternatively, Frewena has independently developed the use of L 3 in mating rituals in parallel to Maratus .

Figures

FIGURES 53–60. Frewena terraregina n. sp. Holotype (42 001432), (male; 53 dorsal, 54 ventral, 55 lateral, 56 anterior 57 anterior palp, 58 ventral palp, 59 posterior palp); 60 distribution map. Scale: 0.2mm.