Hoggicosa storri Langlands & Framenau, 2010

Langlands, Peter R. & Framenau, Volker W., 2010, Systematic revision of Hoggicosa Roewer, 1960, the Australian ‘ bicolor’ group of wolf spiders (Araneae: Lycosidae), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 158 (1), pp. 83-123 : 100-102

HOGGICOSA STORRI ( MCKAY, 1973) COMB. NOV.

( FIGS 1D, E , 5G, H , 23A–D , 25 )

Lycosa storri McKay, 1973: 389–394 , figs 1H–J, 3A–E; Main, 1976: 48, 141, 149, 231, pl. B8; Brignoli, 1983: 450; McKay, 1985: 83.

Types: Holotype: ♀ from Western Australia: Yellowdine , 38 miles south, 31°51′S, 119°39′E, 6.xi.1970, W. H. Butler ( WAM 70 /240). Epigynum missing.

Paratypes: Western Australia: 1 juv., Albion Downs , 24 miles south-west, 27°17′S, 120°01′E ( WAM 71 /875) ; 1 juv., Billeranga , 29°19′S, 115°52′E ( WAM 68 /501) ; 1 juv., Grants Patch, Broad Arrow near Kalgoorlie , 30°27′S, 121°20′E ( WAM 70 /22) ; 2 juv., Burnabinmah Station , 28°47′S, 117°22′E ( WAM 68 /823, 68/828) ; 1 ♀, Clinker Hill , 30°53′S, 121°46′E ( WAM 68 /504) ; 1 ♀, Corrigin , 32°20′S, 118°52′E ( WAM 71 /874) ; 1 juv., Dulbelling , 32°02′S, 117°15′E ( WAM 68 /825) ; 2 juv., Hyden, The Humps , 32°19′S, 118°58′E ( WAM 69 /884, 71/456) ; 1 ♀, Karonie , 4 miles northeast, 30°56′S, 122°35′E ( WAM 68 /505) ; 1 juv., Kellerberrin , 31°38′S, 117°43′E ( WAM 38 /1298) ; 1 ♀, 1 juv., Koorda , 30°50′S, 117°29′E ( WAM 70 /245, 39/2169) ; 2 ♀, 2 juv., Lake Moore , near south end, 30°12′S, 117°25′E ( WAM 71 /174, 71/175-6, 71/197) ; 1 juv., Leonara , 15 miles east, 28°53′S, 121°35′E ( WAM 70 /206) ; 1 ♀, Marloo Station , 28°19′S, 116°11′E ( WAM 69 /835) ; 1 ♀, 1 juv., Merredin , 31°29′S, 118°16′E ( WAM 69 /888, 68/502) ; 1 juv., Moorine Rock , 31°18′S, 119°08′E ( WAM 68 /500) ; 1 ♀, 2 juv., Mt Gibson , 29°36′S, 117°24′E ( WAM 71 /877, 71/876) ; 1 juv., Mullewa , 1.5 miles east, 28°32′S, 115°31′E ( WAM 68 /829) ; 1 ♂, 2 ♀ Muralgarra , 28°32′S, 117°03′E ( WAM 39 /2564, 39/2565, 39/2566) ; 1 ♀, 31 juv., Narembeen Camp Site , 32°04′S, 118°23′E ( WAM 69 /962-94) ; 1 ♀, Noongar , 31°20′S, 118°58′E ( WAM 39 /2472) ; 1 juv., Nukarni , 31°18′S, 118°12′E ( WAM 47 /963) ; 5 juv., Paynes Find , 29°15′S, 117°41′E ( WAM 70 /53, 70/202-3, 70/54, 69/454) ; 1 juv., Quairading , 32°01′S, 117°24′E ( WAM 69 /885) ; 1 juv., Randells , 13 miles west on railway, 31°00′S, 121°59′E ( WAM 68 /827) ; 1 juv., Walebing , 3 miles north, 30°39′S, 116°13′E ( WAM 68 /498) ; 1 juv., Walyahmoning Rock , 1 mile south-west, 30°38′S, 118°45′E ( WAM 70 /57, published as WAM 70 / 51 in McKay (1973) ; 1 ♀, Warburton Ranges , 26°06′S, 126°39′E ( WAM 71 /878) ; 1 juv., Wialki at Arnolds Water Reserve , 30°25′S, 118°03′E ( WAM 68 /826) ; 1 ♀, Williams , 33°02′S, 116°53′E ( WAM 68 /824) ; 1 juv., Ravensthorpe , 33°35′S, 120°03′E ( WAM 69 /886) ; 1 ♀, Cocklebiddy , 70 miles north, 32°03′S, 124°54′E ( WAM 69 /890) .

Other material examined: Ninety-four males, 23 females, and 29 juveniles from 152 records (Appendix S1).

Diagnosis: Females and immature males can be readily distinguished from all other Hoggicosa species by the distinct leg coloration and abdominal pattern ( Fig. 1D ). This pattern consists of light femora, tarsi, and metatarsi, with black patellae and tibiae, with a pale stripe along either side of the abdomen from the spinnerets. The male palp is most similar to that of H. brennani , but can be distinguished by the shape of the ventral process on the tegular apophysis. In H. storri the ventral process lacks the flange found in H. brennani ( Fig. 5C, D vs. 5G) and is located closer to the apical tip.

Description: Male: Based on male from type locality, WAM T53406, Yellowdine, 31°51′S, 119°39′E, WA. Dorsal shield of prosoma orange-brown, darker in eye quadrangle, covered with white setae. Sternum and labium brown with scattered black setae. Chelicerae dark brown with white setae. Legs all greyish-brown, except for paler ventral femur. Projections on apical end of coxae I (see remarks). Opisthosoma all greyblack with black setae except for creamish-yellow streak running from spinnerets two-thirds along either side. Terminal apophysis of pedipalp large, strongly curved apically ( Fig. 23A ). Pars pendula transparent and connected just below embolus tip ( Fig. 23B ). Subterminal apophysis large and easily visible next to terminal apophysis. Tegular apophysis with angular ventral process located centrally or near apex. Curved ridge connecting ventral process and apical point ( Fig. 5G ).

Female: Based on WAM 68/503, Wubin, 30°07′S, 116°38′E, WA. Dorsal shield of prosoma orange-brown with cover of white setae. Sternum, labium, and chelicerae as male. Legs; femur, metatarsus, and tarsus yellowish-cream with tibia and patella black ( Fig. 1D ). Small projections on apical end of coxae I (see remarks). Opisthosoma black, with pale side streak as male. Epigyne with small anterior pockets, much greater in width than posterior transverse part ( Fig. 23C ). Internal epigyne with strongly sclerotized anterior pockets and head of spermatheca elongate ( Fig. 23D ).

Variation: In some males a small black longitudinal stripe is present at the anterior end of the dorsal abdomen. The length of the ridge between the ventral process and apical point of the tegular apophysis can vary ( Fig. 5G vs. 5H). Some females have a faint pale longitudinal stripe at the anterior end of the dorsal abdomen.

Remarks: The epigynum of the holotype is missing and so a representative female is used here for redescription. Several of the male specimens, including those from the type locality, were found to have prominent protuberances extending from the tip of coxae I and II near the sternum. Following further examination, some females were found to have similar, but reduced, bulges. No other morphological differences were found between those with and without coxal points and as the distributions overlap we currently consider them conspecific.

Measurements: ♂ WAM T53406 (♀ WAM 68/503): TL, 17.6 (17.0); PL, 9.7 (9.1); PW, 7.3 (7.3). Eyes: AME, 0.45 (0.50); ALE, 0.23 (0.32); PME, 1.09 (1.18); PLE, 0.73 (1.04). Sternum (length/width): 3.6/3.4 (4.0/3.3). Labium (length/width): 1.0/1.0 (1.4/1.4). OL, 7.8 (7.8); OW, 5.7 (5.8). Legs, lengths of segments (femur + patella/tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): pedipalp, 4.3 + 4.0 + – + 3.4 = 11.7; I, 8.6 + 9.8 + 8.6 + 5.0 = 32.0; II, 8.3 + 9.6 + 8.8 + 4.4 = 31.1; III, 7.1 + 7.8 + 7.8 + 4.3 = 27.0; IV, 9.3 + 10.4 + 10.0 + 4.7 = 34.4 (pedipalp, 4.0 + 4.3 + – + 2.8 = 11.1; I, 7.4 + 9.0 + 6.0 + 3.1 = 25.5; II, 7.1 + 8.6 + 6.0 + 3.1 = 24.8; III, 6.4 + 7.4 + 6.4 + 3.3 = 23.5; IV, 7.8 + 9.3 + 8.6 + 3.6 = 29.3).

♂ (♀) (range, mean ± SD): TL, 12.9–20.1, 17.2 ± 1.6; PL, 7.1–10.3, 9.4 ± 0.6; PW, 6.4–8.1, 7.2 ± 0.4; N = 35 (TL, 17.9–23.0, 19.9 ± 1.7; PL, 8.7– 10.3, 9.6 ± 0.5; PW, 6.6–8.1, 7.3 ± 0.5; N = 14).

Natural history: Hoggicosa storri have been collected from clay, gritty loam, rocky, red, and yellow soils. Specimens have been recorded in association with vegetation of Mallee ( Eucalyptus ) and Mulga ( Acacia aneura ) and woodlands of Wandoo ( Eucalyptus wandoo ), Salmon Gum ( E. salmonophloia ), York Gum ( E. loxophleba ), Gimlet ( E. salubris ), and E. striaticalyx , as well as open shrubland. Adult females have been collected all year round, whereas adult males have been predominately collected from October to March. Hoggicosa storri excavates burrows without doors.

Distribution: Western Australia ( Fig. 25 ).

HOGGICOSA WOLODYMYRI SP. NOV. ( FIGS 4H, I , 5F , 7D , 24A–D , 25 )

Types: Holotype. ♂ from South Australia: Taylorville Station , 34°06′S, 139°58′E, 2–4.x.1999, Strathalbyn Field Nats. ( SAM NN16408 ).

Paratype. ♀ with same data as holotype. ( SAM NN16409 ) .

Other material examined: One-hundred and twentythree males, 27 females, and four juveniles from 87 records (Appendix S1).

Etymology: The specific epithet is a patronym in honour of the senior author’s late grandfather Wolodymyr Kowal, who after immigrating to Australia fell in love with the outback landscapes where this species is found.

Diagnosis: Hoggicosa wolodymyri can be distinguished from all other Hoggicosa by its small body size and orange-yellow colour. The male palp is most similar to that of H. bicolor , but can be distinguished by the tegular apophysis, which has a ridge between the ventral process and the tip much longer than that of H. bicolor (compare Fig. 5F vs. 6A). The female epigyne is similar in shape to H. bicolor but is smaller in size and females can be easily distinguished on body colour.

Description: Male: Based on holotype. Dorsal shield of prosoma orange-brown, darker in eye quadrangle, with faint radial pattern; covered with black setae. Sternum orange-yellow, labium dark orange-brown, both with scattered black setae. Chelicerae dark brown with white setae. Legs orange-yellow. Opisthosoma dorsally orange-yellow with mottled black and grey patches; grey-black setae. Dark orange median longitudinal band at anterior end ( Fig. 4H ). Opisthosoma laterally and ventrally pale orange-yellow, some black dots on venter. Terminal apophysis of pedipalp large and strongly curved apically ( Fig. 24A, B ). Pars pendula transparent and joins embolus at embolus tip ( Figs 7D , 24B ). Subterminal apophysis present, but located under terminal apophysis and difficult to see ( Fig. 7D ). Tegular apophysis with small process, pointed ventrally and located away from apical point. Straight ridge between ventral process and apical point ( Fig. 5F ).

Female: Based on paratype. Dorsal shield of prosoma pale orange, darker in eye quadrangle, with faint radial pattern; covered with black setae. Sternum, labium, chelicerae, and legs as male. Opisthosoma dorsally and laterally as male ( Fig. 4I ). Venter without black patches. Epigyne with small and simple anterior pockets, only slightly greater in width than posterior transverse part ( Fig. 24C ). Internal epigyne with thin sclerotized channels of median septum clearly visible as well as thin and elongate spermatheca stalks ( Fig. 24D ).

Variation: Male specimens from WA are slightly smaller and pale yellow in colour, with less colouration (dark patches) on the abdomen. Some males lack black patches on the ventral opisthosoma.

Measurements: ♂ holotype (♀ paratype): TL, 15.5 (14.2); PL, 8.0 (6.8); PW, 6.0 (5.4). Eyes: AME, 0.38 (0.38); ALE, 0.23 (0.27); PME, 0.81 (0.88); PLE, 0.77 (0.73). Sternum (length/width): 3.4/2.7 (2.9/2.5). Labium (length/width): 0.9/1.1 (1.0/1.1). OL, 7.5 (7.4); OW, 4.6 (5.0). Legs, lengths of segments (femur + patella/tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): pedipalp, 4.1 + 3.8 + – + – = 7.9; I, 9.4 + 10.0 + 8.5 + 5.0 = 32.9; II, 8.8 + 10.0 + 8.2 + 4.6 = 31.6; III, 8.2 + 9.4 + 8.8 + 4.6 = 31.0; IV, 10.2 + 11.2 + 11.5 + 5.4 = 38.3 (pedipalp, 3.1 + 3.4 + – + 2.6 = 9.1; I, 6.6 + 7.5 + 4.8 + 3.0 = 21.9; II, 6.7 + 7.1 + 4.8 + 2.8 = 21.4; III, 5.9 + 6.5 + 5.0 + 2.8 = 20.2; IV, 7.4 + 8.4 + 6.9 + 3.1 = 25.8).

♂ (♀) (range, mean ± SD): TL, 11.6–14.8, 13.3 ± 1.0; PL, 6.4–7.8, 6.9 ± 0.4; PW, 5.0–6.0, 5.5 ± 0.3; N = 14 (TL, 14.4–16.9, 15.5 ± 1.0; PL, 6.9– 8.5, 7.4 ± 0.7; PW, 5.3–6.4, 5.8 ± 0.5; N = 6).

Natural history: Specimens have been collected from sand dunes, sand plains, interdune swales, and clayey soils associated with open Mallee ( Eucalyptus ) with mixed understorey or Mulga ( Acacia aneura ) and Spinifex ( Triodia ) vegetation. Males and females have been collected predominately from September to December, although a couple of males have been found in March and June. Records indicate H. wolodymyri constructs a doorless burrow.

Distribution: New South Wales, Northern Territory, South Australia, and Western Australia ( Fig. 25 ).

Figures

Figure 1. Hoggicosa species, habitus photos (A–H) and male diagnostic character (I). A, Hoggicosa bicolor (Hogg) penultimate ♂ from Western Australia (WA), not registered. B, H. bicolor (Hogg) adult ♂ from Lorna Glen Station, WA, WAM T70329. C, Hoggicosa forresti (McKay, 1973) adult male from Lorna Glen Station, WA, WAM T65610. D, Hoggicosa storri (McKay) penultimate ♂ from WA, not registered. E, H. storri (McKay) adult ♂ from Lorna Glen Station, WA, WAM T70277. F, Hoggicosa natashae sp. nov. holotype ♀ from Lake Gilles, SA, SAM NN14785, Photo courtesy of D. Hirst. G, Hoggicosa alfi sp. nov. ♂ from type locality, Lorna Glen Station, WA, not registered. H, H. alfi sp. nov. ♀ from type locality, WAM T70334. I, Hoggicosa castanea (Hogg) lateral view of male cymbium tip with diagnostic macrosetae bent dorsally, from Gluepot Station, SA, SAM NN19314. Scale bars = 5 mm.

Figure 4. Hoggicosa species, abdomen (A–G) and habitus (H–I). A–C, ♀ Hoggicosa castanea (Hogg). A, dorsal; B, ventral, from Fisherman Point, Lincoln National Park, South Australia (SA), SAM NN15185; C, dorsal, from north of Lake Goorly, Western Australia (WA), WAM T47784. D–E, Hoggicosa brennani sp. nov. ♂ holotype from Taylorville Station, SA, SAM NN17017. D, dorsal; E, ventral. F–G, Hoggicosa snelli (McKay), ventral. ♂ from Kennedy Range National Park, WA, WAM T65149. G, ♀ from Munda Station, WA, WAM T53870. H–I, Hoggicosa wolodymyri sp. nov. from Taylorville Station, SA. H, ♂ holotype, SAM NN16408. I, ♀ paratype, SAM NN16409. Scale bars = 5 mm.

Figure 5. ♂ Hoggicosa species, male palp, tegular apophyses. A–B, Hoggicosa castanea (Hogg). A, north of Bower, South Australia (SA), WAM T64050; B, palpal variation from east of Mount Barren, Western Australia (WA), WAM T53507. C–D, Hoggicosa brennani sp. nov. holotype from Taylorville Station, SA, SAM NN17017; D, tegular apophysis ventral spur enlarged. E, Hoggicosa forresti (McKay) from North Baandee Nature Reserve, WA, WAM T47762. F, Hoggicosa wolodymyri sp. nov. from Queen Victoria Springs Nature Reserve, WA, WAM T52527. G–H, Hoggicosa storri (McKay). G, south of the type locality Yellowdine, WA, WAM T53406; H, palpal variation from Yuinmery, WA, WAM T62781. All scale bars = 0.2 mm except for D = 0.1 mm.

Figure 7. ♂ Hoggicosa species, male palp, palea region. A, Hoggicosa castanea (Hogg) from East Mt Barren, Western Australia (WA), WAM T53507. B, Hoggicosa duracki (McKay) from Hope Downs Station, WA, WAM T65119. C, Hoggicosa forresti (McKay) from Helena-Aurora Ranges, WA, WAM T47763. D, Hoggicosa wolodymyri sp. nov. from Queen Victoria Springs Nature Reserve, WA, WAM T52527. Scale bars = 0.1 mm. Note: twisting of terminal and subterminal apophysis is a result of scanning electron microscopy drying process.

Figure 23. Hoggicosa storri (McKay). A–B, palp, ♂ from Stoneville, Western Australia (WA), WAM T47794. A, ventral; B, palea. C–D, epigynum, ♀ from Wubin, WA, WAM 68/503. C, ventral; D, dorsal. Scale bars = 0.5 mm.

Figure 24. Hoggicosa wolodymyri sp. nov. from Taylorville Station, South Australia. A–B, ♂ holotype, palp, SAM NN16408. A, ventral; B, palea. C–D, ♀ paratype, epigynum, SAM NN16409. C, ventral; D, dorsal. Scale bars = 0.5 mm.

Figure 25. Distribution records of Hoggicosa storri (McKay) (white circles) and Hoggicosa wolodymyri sp. nov. (grey circles).