Corasoides australis Butler, 1929

Humphrey, Margaret, 2017, A Revision and Cladistic Analysis of the Genus Corasoides Butler (Araneae: Desidae) with Descriptions of Nine New Species, Records of the Australian Museum 69 (1), pp. 15-64 : 22-30

Corasoides australis Butler, 1929

Figs 2 , 3 , 5–12

Agelina [sic] labyrinthica Rainbow, 1897: 528 , misidentification, noted by Butler (1929).

Corasoides australis Butler, 1929: 42 ; Butler, 1939: 186; Roewer, 1954: 61; Bonnet, 1956: 1203; Platnick, 1997: 609.

Types. Presumed syntype male, in MV, labelled “ Corasoides australis Butler type male K-108”, and on another pencilwritten label, “ CORASOIDES australis GENOTYPE, G.S.G. BUTLER, Roy. Soc. Vic. 1929 ”. The male shares a vial with a female which is distinguished as “type female K-109”. There is no collection locality or date label and the only labels present would appear not to be original—the whereabouts of original labels is unknown.

Type locality. Two localities and dates are given by Butler (1929) for material examined, Cheltenham, 12 April 1925 and Waddy Point , Victoria , 10 January 1929. In the same paper he recorded the type locality as Cheltenham but no state was given. It is probable that since he lived near Cheltenham in Victoria , that this is the type locality intended and not Cheltenham in Queensland or New South Wales. Further, in the register of the MV records, the locality of the male is given as Cheltenham , Victoria .

Type status. Butler (1929) described both sexes, stating the type locality as “Cheltenham”. He specifically mentions that he had only one female that was collected in January near Bairnsdale, Victoria. Since Butler did not include Bairnsdale as a type locality, this female cannot strictly be considered a syntype .

He did not indicate how many males were collected from Cheltenham, nor whether he also collected males from Waddy Point. Subsequently, it cannot be assumed that the existing male is the only specimen from the type locality (Recommendation 73F, ICZN, 1999). Therefore this specimen should be regarded as a syntype. Material examined. Male and female as above and the following:

Queensland. 1♀, 1♂, Fraser Island , 25°39'S 153°05'E, July 1995, M. Humphrey & M. Moulds, KS.71796 ; 1♂, 1 juv, Narayan , 25°43'S 150°50'E, July 1995, M. Humphrey & M. Moulds, KS.71817 ; 1♀, Blackdown Tableland , 23°50'S 149°03'E, M. Humphrey & M. Moulds, KS.71818 ; 1♂, 1♀, Blackdown Tableland , 23°50S 149°03'E, M. Humphrey & M. Moulds, KS.71803 ( AM) . 1♀, Braemer SF, SE QLD, cypress & brigalow, 27°13'S 150°50'E, 15–19 Oct.1979, R. Raven & QM,QM S14666 ; 2♀♀, Freshwater Lake , Cooloola, SE QLD, rainforest, 26°00'S 153°08'E, V.Davies,R. Raven, QM S14667 ; 1♀, Moreton I, SE QLD, 27°19'S 153°24'E, 25 Nov. 1976, V. Davies N. Hall, QM S14669 ; 1♀, Endfield Stn, 40 mi W Westmar, SE QLD, Mulga , 27°55'S 149°43'E, R. Raven, V.Davies, QM S14675 ; 2♀♀, Altonvale Stn , 40 mi W Westmar,SE QLD, 28°01'S 149°15'E, V.Davies, R.Raven,QM S14676 ; 5 juv, Double I Pt, Little Freshwater Ck , SE QLD, 25°58'S 153°10'E, 14–15 Jul 1985, J. Gallon,QM S14684 ; 1♀, Teewah Ck, Cooloola , SE QLD, heathland, 26°05'S 153°02'E, 14 Jul. 1973, R. J. Raven, QM S14685 ; 1♂, Carnarvon NP, Mt Moffat Sect. , 25°03'S 147°53"E, malaise 27.xi.1997, C. Lambkin, J. Shevington, S Evans, S42582 ( QM).

New South Wales. 1♀, Ballimore nr Dubbo , 32°12'S 148°54'E, 29 Jan 1953, V. Levitt, KS.3565 ; 1♀, Garie Beach , 34°10'S 151°05'E, 12 March 1966, R. Mascord, KS.4671 ; 1♀, Pearl Beach , 33°33'S 151°18'E, Dec. 1977, M.R. Gray, KS.18828 ; 1♂, 1♀, 1 juv, Lindfield , 33°47'S 151°10'E, 1959, M. Gregg, KS.4574 ; 1♂, 1♀, Sydney region , 33°53'S 151°13'E, 7 Oct 1965, R. Mascord, KS.3564 ; 1♂, Hornsby Heights , 33°40'S 151°06'E, Oct. 1992, M. Tio, KS.71801 ; 1♀, Malabar , 33°58'S 151°15'E, 21 Sept. 1977, R. Mascord, KS.3563 ; 1♀, 1 juv, Gibralter Ra NP creek behind ranger office, 29°35'S 152°13'E, 11 Feb 1982, C. Horseman, KS.9220 ; 1♀, West Head , Kuring-gai Chase NP, nr creek in burnt area, 33°42'S 151°14'E, Jan 1978, M. Gray & D. Hain, KS.1280 ; 1♂, Booderee NP, southern headland of Jervis Bay , 35°08'S 150°45'E, 10 Dec. 1998, L. Gibson, KS.62937 ; 1♂, Myall Lakes NP, 32°29'S 152°23'E, 26 Nov. 1997, L. Wilkie, KS.60767 ; 1♂, Munmorah State Recreation Park , 33°12'S 151°34'E, 16 Dec 1996, L. Wilkie, KS.62430 ; 1♂, Wyrrabalong NP, 33°16'S 151°32'E, 27 Nov. 1997, L. Wilkie, KS.62431 ; 1♂, Wyrrabalong NP, 33°16'S 151°32'E, 16 Nov. 1996, L. Wilkie, KS.62432 ; 1♂, Myall Lakes NP, 32°29'S 151°21'E, 26 Nov 1997, L. Wilkie, KS.62433 ; 1♂, Wyrrabalong NP, 33°16'S 151°32'E, 27 Nov 1997, L. Wilkie, KS.62434 ; 1♂, Wyrrabalong , 33°16'S 151°32'E, 27 Nov 1997, L. Wilkie, KS.62435 ; 1♂, Malabar , 33°58'S 151°15'E, 01 Jan 1965, R.Mascord, KS.4670 ; 1♂, Lower Murray-Darling region, Ki Downs Station , 34°38'S 142°34'E, 05 Dec 1998, M. LeBreton, KS.66985 ; 1♀, 1 juv, Vincentia , 35°04'S 150°40'E, 26 Dec 1990, M. Tio, KS.71805 ; 1♂, Gilgandra , 31°43'S 148°39'E, Jan 1993, M. Tio, KS.71807 ; 1♀, Hornsby Heights , 33°40'S 151°06'E, 1991, M Tio, KS.71809 ; 1♂, Ballimore , 32°12'S 148°54'E, Oct 1992, M. Tio, KS.71794 ; 1♂, Ballimore , 32°12'S 148°54'E, 03 Oct 1992, M. Tio, KS.71810 ; 1♂, Mt Kuringai , 33°39'S 151°08'E, Oct 1994, M. Humphrey, KS.71808 ; 1♀, Hornsby Heights , 33°40'S 151 06'E, Jan 1993, M. Tio, KS.71806 ; 1♀, Mini Ha Ha Falls , 33°40'S 150°21'E, Nov 1994, M. Humphrey, KS.71804; 1♂, Hornsby Heights , 33°40'S 151°06'E, 17 July 1991, M. Humphrey, KS.71831 ( AM) . 1♀, 1 juv, Fitzroy Falls , 10 May 1979, D. Hirst, ARA5322 DH156 ( SAM) .

Victoria. 1♀, 1 juv, Highett, 37°57'S 145°03'E, 12 April 1953, W.Hickman, KS.28397; 1 juv, Grampian Ra, Lower Silverband Rd , 24 March 1974, M. Gray. KS. 3567 ; 1♂, 1♀, Wilsons Promontory , 39°04'S 146°20'E, 1992, M. Humphrey & T. Goh, KS.71819 ; 1♂, Lakes NP, 38°00'S 147°40'E, 18 Jan 1992, M. Humphrey, KS.71823 ; 1♂, Lakes NP, 38°00'S 147°40'E, 18 Jan 1992, M. Humphrey, KS.71802 ( AM) . 2♂♂, 17.5 km SW of Hattah, 34˚50'S 142˚07'E, Site 34, drift fence pitfall trap, October 1985, A. L. Yen ; 1♂, 17.0 km SW of Hattah, 34˚50'S 142˚07'E, Site 35, drift fence pitfall trap, October 1985, A. L. Yen ; 1♂, 15.0 km SSE of Hattah , 34°54'S 142°15'E, Site 29, drift fence pitfall trap, no date, A. L. Yen ; 1♂, 9.0 km ESE of Hattah , 34°48'S 142°22'E, Site 3, drift fence pitfall trap, May 1986, A. L.Yen ; 1♂, 3.0 km NE of Hattah , 34°45'S 142°17'E, Site 23, drift fence pitfall trap, October 1985, A. L. Yen ; 1♂, 20.8 km SE of Hattah , 34°52'S 142°28'E, Site 7, drift fence pitfall trap, no date, A. L.Yen ; 2♂♂, 6.3 km N of Hattah , 34°43'S 142°17'E, Site 25, drift fence pitfall trap, no date, A. L. Yen ; 1♂, 19.0 km SE of Murrayville , 35°24'S 141°19'E, Site 75, drift fence pitfall trap, Nov 1985, A.L.Yen ; 1♂, 16.5 km SSW of Murrayville , 35°25'S 141°09'E, Site 66, drift fence pitfall trap, Nov 1985, A. L. Yen ; 1♂, 16.2 km SE of Murrayville , 35°22'S 141°19'E, Site 72, drift fence pitfall trap, Oct 1986, A. L. Yen ; 1♂, 16.8 km SSW of Murrayville , 35°25'S 141°10'E, Site 66, drift fence pitfall trap, Nov 1985, A. L. Yen ; 1♂, 15.9 km SSW of Murrayville , 35°24'S 141°09'E, Site 65, drift fence pitfall trap, Nov 1985, A. L. Yen ; 1♂, 20.4 km NE of Patchewollock , 35°14'S 142°19'E, Site 55, drift fence pitfall trap, Oct 1985, A. L. Yen ; 1♂, 4.6 km N of Millewa Sth Bore , 34°44'S 141°04'E, Site 94, drift fence pitfall trap, Oct 1986, A. L. Yen ; 1♂, 15.4 km NE of Lascelles , 35°17'S 142°19'E, Site 50, drift fence pitfall trap, October 1985, A. L. Yen ; 1♀, Little Desert , 22 Oct 1948, no collector ; 1♀, Nanawading , 20.12.[19]55, Nebois ; 1♀, Laverton , 15 Dec 1963, no collector ( MV) . 1♂, Halls Gap , Nov 1950, D. Hirst, ARA5322 N19921 ( SAM) .

Tasmania. 1♀, Oppossum Bay , 42°59'S 147°24'E, 04 Jan 1938, W. Hickman, KS.28300 ( AM) . 1♀, Clutha Place, South Hobart , 4-xi-979, J. Barclay ( TMAG) . 1♂, Eddystone Point (site 4), North East Tas , 41°00'44"S 148°19'15"E, Churchill T, /11/1987, 13:3753 ; 1♂, Eddystone Point (site 4) North East Tas , 41°00'44"S 148°19'15"E, T. Churchill, /11/1987, 13:3804 ; 1♂, Eddystone Point (site 4) North East Tas , 41°00'44"S 148°19'15"E, T. Churchill, /10/1987, 13:3524 ( QVM) .

South Australia. 1♂, Whyalla , 33°02'S 137°35'E, 15 Oct 1993, M. Humphrey, KS.71795 ; 1♂, Lincoln NP, 34°47'S 135°44'E, 14 Oct 1993, M. Humphrey, KS.71811 ; 1♂, 76 km W Nullarbor , 31°26'S 130°05'E, 26 Sept 1993, M. Humphrey,KS.71812 ; 1♂, 1♀, 1 juv, Nullarbor , 31°25'S 130°53'E, 25 Sept 1993, M. Humphrey, KS.71814 ; 1♀, 30 km E Morgan , 34°04'S 139°40'E, 17 Oct 1993, M. Humphrey, KS.71815 ; 1♂, Wilpena , 31°31'S 138°37'E, 15 Oct 1993, M. Humphrey,KS.71816 ; 1♀, Streaky Bay , 32°35'S 134°08'E, 13 Oct 1993, M. Humphrey, KS.71822 ( AM) . 1♂, Nepean Bay Cons. Park, 8 km Kingscote, Kangaroo Island (pitfall), 29 Oct.–02 Nov. 1990, NPWS Survey,ARA 5322, N19922 ; 1♂, Sugar Gum Lookout Track, Mt Remarkable NP, 13 Oct. 1982, G. Coombs, ARA 5322, N199211 ; 1♂, 7 km N Ravine de Casoars, Flinders Chase, Kangaroo Island , pitfall, 2–7 Nov. 1990, E. G. Mathews, J. A. Forrest, ARA5322 199210 ; 2♀♀, Ravine de Casoars, Kangaroo Island , 06 Nov.1987, D. Hirst,ARA5322 N19927 –8; 1♀, Ravine des Casoars, Kangaroo Island,? Dec [year not given], A Fuller J Reid M Bennett J Pennington, ARA5322 N19929 ; 1981, Nov. 1987, D. Hirst,ARA5322 N19927 – 8; male, 4.2 km SW Cape Willoughby Lighthouse, Cape Hart Pk, Kangaroo Island , 11–16 Nov. 1990, P. Copley, P. Canty, B. Cohen, NPWS Survey, ARA 5322 N19923 ; 1♀, Dudley C.P. Kangaroo Island , 11 Nov. 1987, D. Hirst, ARA5322 N19925 ; 1♀ + sacs, Mt Sturt , 3 km S, 32°45'S 135°24'E, 13 Dec. 1989, D. Hirst, ARA5322 N199221 ; 1♂, Dudley Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island (pitfall), 5–11 Nov. 1990, D. Hirst, ARA5322 N19924 ; 1♂, 31 km SW Pinnaroo, 35°26'45"S 140°53'06"E, 06 Nov. 1991, NPWS Murray Valley Survey, ARA5322 N199380 ; 1♂, 23 km S Lameroo, 35°30'50"S 140°34'30"E, 4–8 Nov 1991, NPWS Murray Valley Survey,ARA5322 N199387 ; 1♂, 4 km SE Quandong Bore, 35°32'20"S 140°46'12"E, 04 Nov.1991,NPWS Murray Valley Survey, ARA5322 N199382 ; 1♂, 4 km Box Flat, 35°38'52"S 140°22'55"E, 11–14 Nov. 1991, NPWS Murray Valley Survey, ARA5322 N19984 ; 1♂, 14km SE Baan Hill, 35°37'26"S 140°28'44"E, 10–14 Nov. 1991, NPWS Murray Valley Survey, ARA5322 N199385 ; 1♂, 1km N The Needles, 35°49'44"S 139°22'40"E, 4–8 Nov. 1991, NPWS Murray Valley Survey, ARA5322 SAMA N199385 ; 1♂, 6km W Kirra, 35°45'57"S 140°50'02"E, 12 Nov.1991, NPWS Murray Valley Survey,ARA5322 N199386 ; 1♀ + sac, Mt Sturt , 3 km S, 32°45'S 135°24'E, 13 Dec. 1989, D.Hirst,ARA5322 N199220 ; 1♀, 11 km NW Magrath Flat, 35°47'16"S 139°19'33"E, 3–8 Nov.1991, NPWS Murray Valley Survey, ARA5322 N199387 ; 1♀, Bridgewater, Mt Lofty Ranges , Dec. 1983, B. Guerin, ARA5322 N1992128 ; 1♀, Bridgewater, Mt Lofty Ranges , 35°00'S 138°45'E, 9 Feb.1985, D. Hirst,ARA5322 DH252 ; 1♂, 50 km W Yalata Roadhouse, 31°29'30"S 131°16'00"E, Sept. 1984, Nullarbor Survey,ARA5322 N199229 ; 1♀, top of coastal cliffs, Whaler Way , 34°56'S 135°40'E, ( SW Pt Lincoln), 17 Dec. 1981, D. Hirst, ARA5322 DH255 ; 2♀♀, Head of Bight , 28 Sept. 1988, D. Hirst, ARA5322 N199227–8 ; 1♂, sand dunes, Nora Criena , 37°20'S 139°51'E, March 1978, D. Hirst, ARA5322 DH251 ; 1♀, Alligator Gorge , 32°45'S 138°03'E, 25 Jan. 1987, ARA5322 DH257 ; 2♀♀, Kyeema, Mt Lofty Ranges, 35°10'S 138°40"E, Jan–Feb 1980, D. Hirst ARA 5322 N199231–2; 1♀, Slopes of Iron Duke, 17.viii.1974, G. Coombe N199219; 1♀, “Scenic Walk” American River Kangaroo Island , 11 Nov 1987, D. Hirst,ARA5322 N19926 ; 1♀, Bald Hill Beach nr Port Wakefield , 21 Oct 1989, D. Hirst, ARA5322 N199212 ; 1♀, Kolay hut, 32°33'S 135°13'E, 10 Dec 1989, D Hirst, ARA5322 N199226 ; 1♂, 3 pen ♀♀, Lake Gilles Conservation Park , 32°58'S 136°45'E, 24–25 Sept 1988, D. Hirst, ARA5322 N199222–25 ; 1♂, Whyalla, 5 m [sic,?mi] SE Mt Young , 18-8-1974, J. White,ARA5322 N199218 ; 5♂♂, Bungunnia Station, (NE Morgan) Jumby East Dam , 13 Oct 1980, J. Whitehead, ARA5322 N199213–17 ( SAM) . 1 juv, Ivy Tanks , 31°16'S 131°18'E, May 1968, (no collector), 92/63 ( WAM) .

Western Australia. 1♂, 30 km W Eucla , 31°41'S 128°33'E, 19 Oct 1993, M. Humphrey, KS.71813 ; 1♂, 30 km W Eucla , 31°46'S 128°33'E, 12 Oct 1993, M. Humphrey, KS.71821 ; 1♀, Zanthus , 31°02'S 123°34'E, Nov 1991, H. Rose, KS.71824 ; 1♂, 2 km W of Coolgardie , 30°57'S 121°09'E, 11 Oct 1993, M. Humphrey, KS.71825 ; 1♀, 1 juv, Coolgardie , 30°57'S 121°09'E, Oct 1993, M. Humphrey, KS.71826 ; 1♂, Greenough , 28°57'S 114°44'E, 09 Oct 1993, M.Humphrey, KS.71827 ; 1♂, 1 juv, Collie , 33°21'S 116°09'E, 03 Oct 1993, M. Humphrey, KS.71828 ; 1♀, Zanthus , 31°02'S 123°34'E, H. Rose, KS.71829 ; 1♀, Peron NP, 25°16'S 113°43'E, Oct 1993, M. Humphrey, KS.71830 ; 1♀, 165 km N Geraldton , 27°21'S 114°04'E, 07 Oct 1993, M. Humphrey, KS.71832 ( AM) . 1♀, 8 km W Kalgoorlie , 30°45'S 114°23'9"E, Dec 1981, D. Hirst ARA5322 DH254 ( SAM) . 1♂, Edel Land , 26°10'40"S 113°13'30"E, 20 Aug. 1989, S. Harold, 92/8 ; 2♂♂, Carrarang Stn False Entrance well, 26°23'S 113°19'E, 21 Aug. 1970, A. Baynes, 92/4 ; 1♂, 1♀, Greenough , 28°57'S 114°44'E, 21 Aug. 1979, R. P. McMillan, 92/5-6 ; 1♂, Greenough Lucy Beach, 28°57'S 114°44'E, 27 Sept. 1979, R. P. McMillan, 92/41; 1 juv, Lake Cronin , 32°22'15"S 119°49'30"E, Feb. 1981, W. Humphreys et al., 44/9 ; 1♀, 14 km E of Black Point , 34°25'30"S 115°41'30"E, 3–8 Dec. 1985, S. A. Harold, 92/22 ( WAM) .

Diagnosis. Male palpal cymbium with long digitiform portion but less than twice the length of the bulb diameter and often bent almost 90°. Conductor distinctly T-shaped, tip spine-like ( Fig. 9b ), unlike blunt tip of C. motumae sp. nov. and lacking flange of C. occidentalis sp. nov. Female epigyne with no lateral extension of the scape. Insemination ducts highly convoluted and looping over the surface of the spermathecae.

Description. Medium sized spider. Carapace. Type specimen light to reddish tan, head region and chelicerae darker. Little to no pattern, black edging surrounding eyes. Abdominal pattern. Basic dorsum pattern in most material examined ( Figs 2 , 5a–b ). In the presumed syntype the pattern is less distinct ( Fig. 2a ); the central region is almost as dark as the background to the spots and the cream dorsolateral stripes do not have a definite boundary ( Fig. 2a ). In the female figured by Butler (1929), the basic pattern is darker, the dorsolateral stripes and two pairs of pale spots are very distinct but the rest of the dorsal surface is very dark, obscuring the central stripe ( Fig. 2b ).

Male. CL 5.8 (4.1–5.3), CW 4.5 (3.3–4.5), abdomen of type misshapen, HW 3.5, EpGW 1.7, MOQ L 0.8, MOQAW 0.6, MOQPW 0.7, SL 3.1 , SW 2.8, ML 2.5, MW 1.1, LL 1.3, LW 1.0, ChelL 4.1 (2.6–4.5), ChelW 1.4 (1.2–1.3), clypeus height 0.6. Cephalothorax. Sternum longer than wide, bluntly pointed posteriorly. Labium slightly longer than wide, basally notched. Chelicerae. Robust. cheliceral teeth: v ery variable ( Fig. 8a–j ), even between left and right of one specimen ( Fig. 8d,f ). retromarginal 6(3), promarginal 4(3) Transverse ridges between teeth margins. Fangs with serrations. Legs. Leg lengths and spination of the presumed syntype cannot be given because of the separation or absence of all its leg segments. Leg lengths and spination given here are those of KS.71823 from Lakes NP (Victoria). This specimen is a similar size to the presumed syntype. Leg lengths

I II III IV Palp femur 6.2 4.5 4.3 8.6 4.4

patella 2.0 1.7 1.6 1.7 1.2

tibia 6.4 4.6 3.5 5.3 1.4 metatarsus 6.1 4.5 4.1 5.8 —

tarsus 2.2 1.7 1.5 2.2 4.1

total 22.9 17.0 15.0 20.7 11.5

Spination. Leg I: femur d1,3,2,3,3; tibia v2,2,2,2; metatarsus v2,2,2. Leg II: femur d1,3,3,3,3; tibia d1,1 v2,2,2; metatarsus v2,2,2 p1,1. Leg III: femur d3.2.3.2.3; tibia d1,1 v2,2,2; metatarsus d1,2,2,2 v2,2,2. Leg IV: femur d1,1,1,1,1,3,3; tibia v2,2,2 r1; metatarsus 2,1,1,2 v1,1,1,1,1,2. Palp: femur d1,1,1,2; tarsus several. Male palp. Digitiform portion of cymbium moderately long, about twice the length of the diameter of the bulb. Retroventral apophysis present. Ventral apophysis large, curved towards bulb to hold embolus, one side with bulging membranous portion. Retrolateral apophysis long, spine-like, curving initially retrolaterally and then down towards its base. Embolus long, spine-like, originating retrolaterally. Conductor distinctly T-shaped. Conductor tip fine, pointed, mostly straight. Trichobothria on cymbium: single row of 4–5. Abdomen. A tail of small spigots is present on the anterior lateral spinnerets ( Fig. 3b,c ).

Female, similar to male. The following description is based on the female specimen figured by Butler (1929). CL 5.7 (3.9–6.1), CW 4.1 (3.0–4.2), AL 5.2, AW 3.7, HW 3.5, EpGW 1.7, MOQL 0.8, MOQAW 0.6, MOQPW 0.7, SL 3.0, SW 2.7, ML 2.3, MW 1.0, LL 1.2, LW 1.2, ChelL 3.3, ChelW 1.9, clypeus height 0.6. Chelicerae. Teeth 5(6), 4(3). Leg lengths

I II III IV Palp femur 6.3 5.7 4.9 6.2 3.1

patella 2.2 2.1 1.7 1.9 1.1

tibia 6.5 4.6 3.5 5.6 1.7 metatarsus 6.4 4.8 4.5 5.9 —

tarsus (2.2) (1.7) (1.6) (2.2) 2.0

total (23.6) (18.9) (16.2) (21.8) 7.9

Tarsi were not present on the female specimen illustrated by Butler (1929). Figures in parentheses are for a Victorian female of similar size. Totals in parentheses include these substituted tarsal lengths. Spination. Leg I: femur d1,3,1,2 p1,1; tibia v2,2,2 p1; metatarsus v2,2,2 p1. Leg II: femur d1,2,2,1,2,3; tibia d1,1 v2,1,1,2; metatarsus d1,1 v2,2,2. Leg III: femur d3,3,2,2,3; tibia d1,1 v2,2,2; metatarsus d1,2,2,2, v2,2,2. Leg VI: femur d2,1,1,1,3; tibia v2,2,2; metatarsus d2,2,2,2, v2,2,2. Palp: femur d1,1,1,2; tarsus several. Epigyne. Length 1.0, width 1.6 for specimen figured by Butler (1929). Morphologically variable across range but generally with small genital openings and no lateral extension of the scape ( Figs 7b , 11a–l ). Surface smooth (The epigyne has been drawn as highly ridged by Lehtinen, 1967 but this mistaken appearance is caused by the insemination ducts being visible through the surface of the epigyne). Morphology of scape is often difficult to discern. Insemination ducts highly convoluted (5–7 bends), looping over the surface of the spermathecae ( Figs 7d,f , 12a–h ). Apparent variability is due to position of loops over spermathecae but loops per se maintain similar pattern. Spermathecae large and close together.

Habitat. Corasoides australis is found in temperate woodland, dry sclerophyll forest, heathland and semi-arid habitats. A specimen from Cooloola, Queensland, recorded as from rainforest is probably from wet sclerophyll forest. In all habitats it can reach high densities. Populations are often locally clumped and on embankments can be up to five tiered.

Distribution. Eastern Queensland and New South Wales south from Blackdown Tableland, through Victoria, Tasmania and South Australia to Eucla in Western Australia and north west to Shark Bay excluding the coastal margin of WesternAustralia from Dongara to Cape le Grande ( Fig. 7g ). A single specimen is recorded as being from Black Point, WA. Corasoides australis is sympatric with C. occidentalis sp. nov. in some areas, e.g. Toodyay, Collie and probably sites between Greenough and Cervantes.

Remarks. Corasoides australis is the smallest of the Australian species although there is overlap in size with other species. Corasoides australis probably reaches its largest size on and near Fraser Island and its smallest size in the arid inland of South Australia and Western Australia. Both adults and juveniles always dig a burrow. The male does not cohabit with the female at any time, nor is the epigyne plugged.

A cline can be distinguished by the angle of the conductor tip ( Fig. 6g ). On the north east coast of its distribution the tip is long and straight and projected retrolaterally. On the south east coast, the tip curves slightly more towards the base of the cymbium ( Fig. 9b ). Across the south the tip is bent over at more than 90° ( Fig. 9d ) but straightens out again in Western Australia ( Fig. 9c ) and going north so that specimens from the Shark Bay region ( Fig. 9a ) resemble those from Queensland and the Sydney region. This is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 6g . What appears now as a double east/west cline could possibly have once been a single north/south cline, which lost most of the intermediate representatives from the central Australian region. This double East/West cline is also apparent in the appearance of the retrolateral apophysis which has a distinct peak on the apex in eastern and western specimens ( Fig. 10a,b ) but is lacking in the southern specimens ( Fig. 10c,d )

There is also variation in the appearance of the female epigyne, particularly in the definition of the scape ( Fig. 11a–l ). However, this variation does not seem to follow any geographical pattern.

Figures

Figure 2.Corasoides australis, dorsal abdomen or abdomen and carapace;(a) male, presumed syntype, Cheltenham, Vic.; (b) female, Waddy Point, Vic; (c) female, Sydney, NSW; (d) male, Edland. WA; (e) female, Kalgoorlie, WA; (f) male, Eddystone Point, Tas; (g) female, Hobart, Tas.

Figure 3. (a) Trichobothrium and hairs from tarsus of Corasoides australis, Sydney, NSW; (b) tail of spigots on prolateral surface of anterior spinneret C. australis, Pearl Beach, NSW; (c) spinnerets from C. australis, Broadwater, NSW, showing area of spigot tail.

Figure 5. Corasoides australis: (a) Mt.Wilson, NSW; (b) Collie, WA; (c) Corasoides occidentalis sp. nov. Ioppolo Nature Reserve, WA.

Figure 6. Corasoides australis male (a) palpal organs, prolateral; (b) palpal organs, ventral; (c) palpal organs, retrolateral; (d) face; (e) cephalothorax, lateral; (f) carapace, dorsal.; (g) geographical variation of direction of the conductor tip of C. australis.

Figure 7. Corasoides australis: (a) sternum, labium and maxillae, ventral; (b) epigyne, ventral; (c) chelicera, male; (d) female internal genitalia, dorsal; (e) spinnerets, ventral; (f) female genitalia, lateral from centre; (g) distribution; (h) web.

Figure 8. Corasoides australis, chelicerae: (a) male, Sydney, NSW; (b) female, Ballimore, NSW; (c) male, Lakes Entrance, Vic; (d) female, Bairnsdale, Vic; (e) male, Mt Clutha, Tas; (f) female, Opossum Bay, Tas; (g) male, Nullarbor, SA; (h) female, Morgan, SA; (i) male, Edeland, WA; (j) female, Kalgoorlie, WA. (Not to scale).

Figure 9. Corasoides australis, comparing direction of tip of conductor:(a) Shark Bay, WA;(b) Sydney, NSW;(c) Kalgoorlie region, WA; (d) Yalata, SA.

Figure 10.Corasoides australis, retrolateral apophysis;(a) Shark Bay, WA;(b) Sydney,NSW;(c) Hattah, Vic;(d) Wilsons Promontory, Vic.

Figure 11. Corasoides australis, epigynes, ventral: (a) Blackdown Tableland, Qld; (b) Altonvale, Qld; (c) Morton Island, Qld; (d) Kalgoorlie, WA; (e) Gibraltar, NSW; (f) Sydney, NSW; (g) Jarradale, WA; (h) Ballimore, NSW; (i) Jervis Bay, NSW; (j) Bald Hill, WA; (k) Kangaroo Island, SA; (l) Opossum Bay, Tas.

Figure 12. Corasoides australis, female internal genitalia: (a) Narayan, Qld; (b) Gibraltar, NSW; (c) Shark Bay, WA; (d) Sydney, NSW; (e) Kalgoorlie, WA; (f) Jervis Bay, NSW; (g) Nullarbor, SA; (h) Wilsons Promontory, Vic.