Arachnura feredayi (L. Koch, 1872 )

Castanheira, Pedro De S., Didham, Raphael K., Vink, Cor J. & Framenau, Volker W., 2019, The scorpion-tailed orb-weaving spiders (Araneae, Araneidae, Arachnura) in Australia and New Zealand, Zootaxa 4706 (1), pp. 147-170 : 150-154

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.4706.1.6
publication LSID	lsid:zoobank.org:pub:55B57A7B-BD32-4F2B-8318-99CAE2C1411F
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03F53449-CA4D-FF86-FF42-F9FDFA9FE0F8
treatment provided by	Plazi
scientific name	Arachnura feredayi (L. Koch, 1872 )
status

Treatment

Arachnura feredayi (L. Koch, 1872) View in CoL

Tailed forest spider

( Figs. 1 View FIGURE 1 A–B; 2–4; 12)

Epeira feredayi L. Koch, 1872: 122–123 , plate 11, figs. 1, 1a–b. Arachnura longicauda Urquhart, 1885: 34–37 View in CoL , plate 9, fig. 2 (synonymy established in Bryant, 1933). Arachnura nigritia Urquhart, 1885: 37 (synonymy established in Bryant, 1933). Arachnura longicauda var. nigrita (Urquhart) . Bryant, 1933: 23 (misspelt). Arachnura obtusa Urquhart, 1885: 37 (synonymy established in Bryant, 1933). Arachnura feredayi (L. Koch) View in CoL .- Hickman, 1926: 182–186, plate 15, fig. 7 (misidentification; this is A. higginsii ); Dondale, 1966:

1160–1162, figs. 1G–J (misidentification; this is A. higginsii ); Uyemura, 1976a: 13, fig. 7; Paquin et al., 2010: 4 8 49, fig.

25.6.

Type-material. Holotype female of Epeira feredayi L. Koch, 1872 , “near Canterbury ” (from German: “in der Nähe von Canterbury ” L. Koch 1872: 123) (no exact location, Canterbury region, NEW ZEALAND) “via Cambridge” (BMNH 1915.3.5.739), examined.

Two syntype males of Arachnura longicauda Urquhart, 1885 , Karaka, Auckland (37°05’S, 174°51’E, NEW ZEALAND), A.T. Urquhart (CMNZ 2005.135.116), examined. Bryant (1933) stated there were three syntype males, but there are only two in the vial.

Holotype immature of Arachnura longicauda var. nigritia Urquhart, 1885 , Karaka , Auckland (37°05’S, 174°51’E, NEW ZEALAND), A.T. Urquhart ( CMNZ 2005.135.118), examined. GoogleMaps

Holotype immature of Arachnura obtusa Urquhart, 1885 , Karaka , Auckland (37°05’S, 174°51’E, NEW ZEA- LAND), A.T. Urquhart ( CMNZ 2005.135.117), examined. GoogleMaps

Other material examined. NEW ZEALAND: Three Kings Islands: Great Island , 34°09’S, 172°09’E, 1– 3.i.1963, E. S. Gourlay coll. (1 penult. ♂, NZAC0301831 View Materials ) GoogleMaps . Northland: Whangarei , 35°43’S, 174°19’E, Abbey Caves, 1.x.1995, G. Hall coll. (1 juv. ♀, NZAC03018034 View Materials ) GoogleMaps . Auckland: Flexman Reserve , 36°18’50”S, 174°29’30”E, 26.iii.1999, beating, G. Hall, P. Paquin, D. Dupérré coll. (1 ♀, NZAC0301838 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; Kawau Island, Redwood Track , 36°25’S, 174°52’E, 13.xi.1992, G. Hall coll. (1 ♀, NZAC03018025 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; Dairy Flat , 36°40’S, 174°38’E, 15.x.2000, K. Froud coll. (1 ♀, NZAC0301836 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; Blockhouse Bay , 36°55’S, 174°42’E, 20.x.1995, L.H. Clunie coll., in house (1 ♀, NZAC03018022 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; Pukekohe, Kern Rd , 37°09’17”S, 174°56’57”E, xi.1986, V. E. Davies coll. (1 ♀, QM S69377) GoogleMaps ; Mt William , 37°13’S, 175°02’E, 25.xi.2001, G. Hall coll. (1 ♀, NZAC03018037 View Materials ) GoogleMaps . Waikato: Hammond Park , 37°48’32”S, 175°19’30”E, 1.vii.2013, B.N. McQuillan coll. (1 ♀, CMNZ 2015.2.29) GoogleMaps . Bay of Plenty: Aongatete Forest, Nature Walk , 37°40’17”S, 175°55’04”E, 20.x.2017, P.A. Maddison, on shrub near track, web building (1 ♀, NZAC0301840 View Materials ) GoogleMaps . Taupo: Wairakei , 38°38’S, 176°05’E, 23.iii.1916, Spencer coll. (1 ♀, NMV K13806 View Materials ) GoogleMaps . Rangitikei: Ohakune Reserve , 39°25’S, 175°24’E, 21.xi.1977, J.S. Dugdale coll. (1 juv., NZAC0301823 View Materials ) GoogleMaps . Wanganui: Kitchener Park , 40°14’42”S, 175°32’24”E, 04.xii.2016, M. Navest coll. (1 ♂, CMNZ 2017.8.1); (1 ♂, CMNZ 2017.8.2); (1 ♀, CMNZ 2017.8.3); (1 ♀, CMNZ 2017.8.4) GoogleMaps ; 01.xii.2017, M. Navest coll. (5 ♂, 2 ♀, WAM T145209 View Materials ) ; 05.ii.2018, M. Navest coll. (2 ♀, WAM T145208 View Materials ) . Nelson: Granity , 41°38’S, 171°51’E, 13.i.1997, R O’Brien coll. (1 ♀, CMNZ 2017.110.119) GoogleMaps ; Buller: Canoe Creek Lagoon, 42°12’S, 171°19’E, 10.1.1957, L. R. Jackson (1 ♀, CMNZ 2017.110.404) GoogleMaps ; Mid Canterbury: Redwood , 43°28’55.6”S, 172°37’29.3”E, 02.iii.2018, A. J. Hunter coll. (1 ♀, WAM T145206 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; Christchurch : 43°33’56.5”S, 172°39’22.0”E, 01.i.2015, C. J. Vink coll. (1 ♀, WAM T145207 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; South Canterbury: Peel Forest , 43°54’S, 171°15’E, 6.v,1971, K. Hill coll. (1 ♀, CMNZ 2017.110.129) GoogleMaps ; Geraldine , 44°05’S 171°15’E, xii.1999, T. David coll. (1 ♀, CMNZ 2017.110.120) GoogleMaps ; Timaru , 44°24’S, 171°15’E, 20.viii.1968, J.H. Strickett coll. (1 ♀, BMNH) GoogleMaps . Central Otago: Waikaia Forest, Piano Flat , 45°33’S, 169°01’E, 4.ii.1998, D.M. Gleeson coll. (1 ♀, NZAC03018029 View Materials ) GoogleMaps . Fiordland: Te Anau, Control Gate Track , 45°26’33”S, 167°41’44”E, 20.i.1998, sweeping at night, D.M. Gleeson, G. Hall coll. (1♀, NZAC03018024 View Materials ) GoogleMaps . Westland: Martins Bay , 44°20’09”S 168°00’29”E, 2.i.1955, R.R. Foster coll. (1 ♀, CMNZ 2017.110.1562) GoogleMaps .

Diagnosis. Males and females of A. feredayi are very similar to those of A. higginsii ; however, males of both species differ in the morphology of the male pedipalp, specifically in the shape of the embolus, which is straight in A. feredayi and curved in A. higginsii ( Figs. 3C View FIGURE 3 ; 4 View FIGURE 4 vs. Figs. 6C View FIGURE 6 ; 7 View FIGURE 7 ). In addition, the terminal apophysis is wider in A. feredayi and the median apophysis slightly larger. Females also differ distinctly in genitalic characters, as the epigynal scape is generally wider in A. feredayi than in A. higginsii ( Fig. 2D View FIGURE 2 vs. Fig. 5D View FIGURE 5 ). In addition, the lateral edges of the epigynum continue very little posteriorly in A. feredayi in contrast to A. higginsii where they form a distinct arch and continue often as far posteriorly as the scape is long ( Fig. 2D View FIGURE 2 vs. Fig. 5D View FIGURE 5 ). The spermathecae are smaller in A. feredayi than in A. higginsii and in all specimens dissected, much darker in A. higginsii . ( Fig. 2E View FIGURE 2 vs Fig. 5E View FIGURE 5 ). The length of the tubercles of the abdominal tail is not diagnostic for the two species. While A. feredayi always has very small tubercles ( Figs. 1A, B View FIGURE 1 ; 2C View FIGURE 2 ), these are variably short to long in A. higginsii ( Figs. 1C View FIGURE 1 ; 5C View FIGURE 5 ; 8A, D View FIGURE 8 ), likely leading to the misidentifications of A. higginsii as A. feredayi in Australia ( Dondale, 1966; Hickman, 1926).

Description. Female (WAM T145206): Carapace pale yellow, with a central grey line from eyes to posterior rim and slight dusky at the edges ( Fig. 2A View FIGURE 2 ). Carapace longer than wide, moderately tapering towards its anterior elevated part. Eyes small and their rows slightly recurved, all four dyads of eyes on tubercles, lateral eyes very close to each other but very distant from clypeus ( Fig. 2A View FIGURE 2 ). Chelicerae with pale yellow paturon and brown fangs ( Fig. 2B View FIGURE 2 ). Legs pale yellow, dusky on tibia, metatarsus and tarsus, all articles covered by macrosetae ( Figs. 2A, B View FIGURE 2 ). Labium and endites pale yellow. Sternum pale yellow, triangular, with a darker contour and covered by grey spots, with many bristles on the anterior part ( Fig. 2B View FIGURE 2 ). Abdomen very elongated, dorsum beige, anteriorly with a pro- nounced division forming two pointed shoulders above the folium, with guanine spots atop ( Fig. 2A View FIGURE 2 ). Lateral part of second and posterior thirds formed by a light brown stripe. Tip of abdominal tail dark brown with about five small tubercles ( Fig. 2C View FIGURE 2 ). Venter beige, with a dusky brown hue posterior of spinnerets, forming a beige median line with five transverse irregular stripes on the tail ( Fig. 2B View FIGURE 2 ). Spinnerets dark brown ( Fig. 2B View FIGURE 2 ). Epigynum scape wider than long and rebordered posteriorly, anterior lateral arches poorly developed ( Fig. 2D View FIGURE 2 ). Spermathecae light brown and spherical, bearing two slender copulatory ducts ( Fig. 2E View FIGURE 2 ).

Total length: 14.4. Carapace: 3.4 long, 2.8 wide. Abdomen: 11.6 long. Leg I: femur 3.2, patella 1.4, tibia 1.7, metatarsus 1.7 and tarsus 1.1. Patella + tibia II 2.6; III 1.9; IV 3.2.

Male (CMNZ 2017.8.2): Carapace light brown with broad dusky dark brown bands laterally and a dark brown median line from eyes to posterior rim ( Fig. 3A View FIGURE 3 ). Eyes bigger than in females and their rows slightly recurved, all eyes on tubercles, lateral eyes on the edge of carapace, AME on an anterior bulge ( Fig. 3A View FIGURE 3 ). Chelicerae with light brown paturon and fangs ( Fig. 3B View FIGURE 3 ). Legs yellowish-brown ( Figs. 3A, B View FIGURE 3 ). Labium and endites yellowish-brown ( Fig. 3B View FIGURE 3 ). Sternum triangular and indented at coxae, yellowish-brown with a dark contour ( Fig. 3B View FIGURE 3 ). Abdomen oval, dorsum pale brown, with irregular dark brown spots and a large light brown band posterior of the folium ( Fig. 3A View FIGURE 3 ). Abdomen laterally with ca. four unsclerotised ridges and posteriorly with ca. seven unsclerotised rings giving the impression of a compressed, posterior tip with three tubercles ( Fig. 3A View FIGURE 3 ). Venter similarly coloured as dorsum, but with more distinct lighter and darker irregular spots ( Fig. 3B View FIGURE 3 ). Spinnerets yellowish brown ( Fig. 3B View FIGURE 3 ). Terminal apophysis of pedipalp longer than wide, oval and forming a hood over embolus ( Figs. 3C View FIGURE 3 ; 4 View FIGURE 4 ); embolus long and straight, conductor filiform and sclerotized, projected over the edge of bulb ( Fig. 3E View FIGURE 3 ); median apophysis crescent-shaped, subquadrate and with a strongly sclerotised tip that carries many tubercles ( Figs. 3C View FIGURE 3 ; 4 View FIGURE 4 ); paramedian apophysis forms ridge to conductor, as an extension of it, and is covered with scale-like structures ( Figs. 3C View FIGURE 3 ; 4 View FIGURE 4 ), paracymbium short, hook-like ( Fig. 3D View FIGURE 3 ).

Total length: 2.3. Carapace: 0.8 long, 0.8 wide. Abdomen: 1.5 long. Leg I: femur 0.7, patella 0.4, tibia 0.5, metatarsus 0.4 and tarsus 0.2. Patella + tibia II 0.6; III 0.4; IV 0.7.

Variation. Females (n = 10): total length, 11.4 – 16.8; males (n = 7): total length, 2.3 – 2.7. Males can vary in colour; carapace stripes vary from dark brown to light brown and dorsum of abdomen varies from light brown to orange brown.

Remarks. Dondale (1966) reported the holotype of A. feredayi missing; however, a female from New Zealand in the NHM is clearly labelled ‘via Cambridge’ (interpreted here as meaning from O. Pickard-Cambridge’s collection) and is here considered the holotype. The species was almost certainly named after Richard William Fereday who was an entomologists and lawyer based in Christchurch and who collected throughout Canterbury ( Johns 1993). By 1873, Fereday had sent at least 200 entomological specimens to scientists in Europe ( Johns 1993), which probably included the specimen that became the holotype of A. feredayi . The illustrations of A. feredayi in Uyemura (1976a) are extremely stylised and cannot be interpreted to belong to any of the species treated here.

Life history and habitat preferences. Mature spiders have been found throughout the year, but appear to be most common from late spring to late summer (October – February). Arachnura feredayi is found in native forest and occasionally found in gardens.

Distribution. Endemic to New Zealand, known from both the North and South Islands ( Fig. 12 View FIGURE 12 ).