Telaprocera maudae, Harmer & Framenau, 2008

Harmer, Aaron M. T. & Framenau, Volker W., 2008, Telaprocera (Araneae: Araneidae), a new genus of Australian orb-web spiders with highly elongated webs, Zootaxa 1956 (1), pp. 59-80 : 70-74

Telaprocera maudae sp. nov.

( Figs 18–27 )

Type material. Holotype male, Lamington National Park , national park campground at Green Mountains section, Queensland, Australia, 28°13’49”S, 153°08’04”E, A.M.T. Harmer, March 2006 ( QM S83010 ) . Paratype female, same data ( QM S83011 ) .

Other material examined. AUSTRALIA: New South Wales: 1 male, Bruxner Park , 30°18’S, 153°07’E ( QM S83036 ) ; 1 male, Bruxner Park, Orara East State Forest, Coffs Harbour , 30°14’S, 153°06’E ( SAM NN24378 ) ; 1 female, same data, ( SAM NN24379 ) ; 1 female, same data, ( SAM NN24380 ) ; 1 female, Jamberoo Mountain , 34°39’S, 150°47’E ( AM KS34169 ) ; 1 male, O’Sullivans Gap Rest area, Bullahdelah State Forest , 32°24’S, 152°15’E ( SAM NN24377 ) ; 1 female, Richmond Range , 28°20’S, 152°55’E ( QM S83025) ; 1 female, Royal National Park , 34°08’S, 151°04’E ( AM KS10777 ) ; 1 female, ‘ Scalloway’, Willowvale, via Gerringong , 34°44’S, 150°47’E ( AM KS81895 ) ; 2 females, 1 juvenile, same data ( AM KS92767 ) ; 1 female, same data ( AM KS81893 ) ; 1 female, 3 juveniles, Stotts Island, Tweed River , 28°14’S, 153°31’E ( QM S83015 ) ; 1 female, Yabbra State Forest , 28°40’S, 152°45’E ( QM S19477 ) . Queensland: 1 male, Atherton Plateau, Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat , 12.4 km 059 ENE of Malanda ( ZMUC) ; 1 male, 1 female, 1 juvenile, Bakers Blue Mountain , 17km W Mt Molloy, 16°42’S, 145°10’E ( QM S34071 ) ; 1 female, Bellenden Ker , 17°16’S, 145°51’E ( QM S26340 ) ; 1 male, 1 female, Bellenden Ker, Massey Range , 4km W of centre, 17°16’S, 145°49’E ( QM S83470 ) ; 1 male, Boloumba Creek ( QM S83023 ) ; 1 female, Boombana National Park , 27°24’8’’S, 152°47’22’’E ( QM S65295 ) ; 1 female, 5 juveniles, Bulburin State Forest , 24°30’S, 151°35’E ( QM S83024 ) ; 4 females, 17 juveniles, Bunya Mountains National Park, Dandabah , 26°53’S, 151°37’E ( QM S83028 ) ; 1 male, 1 female, Bunya Mountains National Park, near Mt Krangarow , 26°51’S, 151°34’E ( QM S83021 ) ; 1 male, Cathedral Tree , 17°12’S, 145°40’E ( QM S43277 ) ; 1 female, 4 juveniles, Danbulla Scientific Reserve , 17°12’S, 145°40’E ( QM S46448 ) ; 1 female, Danbulla State Forest , 17°10’S, 145°36’E ( ZMUC) ; 1 female, Jimna Fire Tower , 26°40’S, 152°27’E ( QM S69352) ; 1 male, 1 female, Kroombit Tops, Beauty Spot 98, 24°22’S, 151°01’E ( QM S83037 ) ; 2 males, 6 females, 5 juveniles, Kroombit Tops, Three Moon Creek , 24°22’S, 151°01’E ( QM S83027 ) ; 1 female, 1 juvenile, Kroombit Tops, Upper Kroombit Creek , 24°25’S, 151°03’E ( QM S83033 ) ; 1 male, Lamington National Park, Binna Burra , 28°12’S, 153°11’E ( QM S80483) ; 1 male, same data ( SAM NN24375 ) ; 1 female, same data, ( SAM NN24376 ) ; 2 females, Lamington National Park, Daves Creek Country, 28°15’S, 153°08’E ( QM S83035 ) ; 1 female, 1 juvenile, Lamington National Park, Nagarigoon , 28°12’S, 153°10’E ( QM S83026 ) ; 1 male, Lamington National Park , national park campground, 28°13’49”S, 153°08’04”E ( WAM T85240) ; 1 female, same data, 28°13’49”S, 153°08’04”E ( WAM T85241) ; 1 female, Lamington National Park, O’Reillys , 28°14’S, 153°08’E ( QM S83029 ) ; 1 female, Lamington National Park, O’Reillys Trail , 28°15’S, 153°09’E ( ZMUC) ; 1 female, 2 juveniles, Majors Mountain , 17°38’S, 145°32’E ( QM S83020 ) ; 1 male, Majors Mountain, Vine Creek Road, 17°40’58’’S, 145°32’02’’E ( QM S60261 ) ; 1 female, Mt Bartle Frere , 17°23’S, 145°49’E ( QM S77008 ) ; 2 males, 1 female, Mt Deongwar , 3km S, 27°13’41”S, 152°15’36”E ( QM S54190 ) ; 2 females, Mt Elliot National Park, Upper North Creek , 19°29’S, 146°58’E ( QM S83031 ) ; 1 female, 3 juveniles, Mt Finnigan , 15°49’S, 145°17’E ( QM S83032 ) ; 1 female, 2 juveniles, Mt Goonaneman, near Childers , 25°26’S, 152°8’E ( QM S83030 ) , 1 male, Mt Graham , 8km N Abergowrie, 18°24’S, 145°52’E ( QM S83034 ) ; 2 females, Mt Spurgeon, 4km NNE, Stewart Creek , 16°24’S, 145°13’E ( QM S58683) ; 1 female, Mt Spurgeon, Sandy Creek , 16°28’S, 145°12’E ( QM S43342 ) ; 1 male, Peeramon Scrub , 17°19’S, 145°37’E ( QM S38133 ) ; 1 male, 19 juveniles, Searys Scrub, Cooloola National Park , 26°12’S, 153°03’E ( QM S83022 ) ; 2 females, 3 juveniles, Swan Creek, Main River , 28°8’S, 152°20’E ( QM S47139 ) ; 2 females, Tamborine National Park, Witches Falls , 27°56’27’’S, 153°10’48’’E ( ZMUC) ; 1 female, same data ( ZMUC) ; 1 female, The Crater , 25°03’S, 148°24’E ( QM S83019 ) ; 1 female, The Crater, Mount Hypipamee National Park , 17°25’29”S, 145°29’00”E ( AM KS53314 ) ; 1 male, Upper Brookfield , 27°30’S, 152°55’E ( QM S83016 ) ; 1 male, 8 juveniles, same data ( QM S83017 ) ; 3 males, 3 females, 12 juveniles, same data ( QM S83018 ) ; 2 males, 2 females, Upper Leichardt Creek , 16°35’S, 145°16’E ( QM S43165 ) ; 2 males, same data ( QM S75213) ; 1 female, 2 juveniles, same data ( QM S75262) ; 1 female, Windsor Tableland , 1.2km past barracks, 16°15’S, 145°02’E ( QM S54009 ) ; 1 male, Windsor Tableland , barracks, 16°16’S, 145°03’E ( QM S43980 ) .

Etymology. The species is named in memory of the senior author’s paternal grandmother, Maud Harmer.

Diagnosis. This species is the larger of the two within the genus. However, in some instances sizes overlap, with smaller T. maudae sp. nov. adults being approximately the same size as large T. joanae sp. nov. adult females. Males have a large, shallow dish-shaped median apophysis, and a comparatively shorter, curved terminal apophysis ( Figs 4 , 22, 23 ), in contrast to T. joanae sp. nov. in which the median apophysis is much smaller ( Figs 7 , 32 ), and the terminal apophysis is larger with a digitiform process ( Figs 9 , 32, 33 ). Females of T. maudae sp. nov. are distinguished by a narrower epigyne, with the short, distal portion of the scape angled anteriorly, back away from the copulatory openings ( Figs 10 , 24, 25 ), in contrast to T. joanae sp. nov. in which the epigyne is wider than long and the distal portion angled posteriorly ( Figs 11 , 35 ).

Description. Holotype male (Lamington National Park, QM S83010 ). Carapace orange-brown with darker bands around margins and posterior of cephalic region ( Fig. 18 ). Fovea triangular with apex pointing anteriorly, and with a dark radiating pattern ( Fig. 18 ). Moderately hirsute with fine white setae, more dense around carapace margins and eye region. Black rings around eyes. Chelicerae dark orange-brown with four promarginal teeth, apical tooth separated by width of one tooth, second tooth from proximal end much larger than others; three retromarginal teeth of similar size. Labium dark brown proximally, fading to white distally ( Fig. 19 ). Sternum light brown with dark brown margin ( Fig. 19 ). Abdomen dark brown, approximately round, but slightly tapered posteriorly, slightly longer than wide ( Fig. 18 ). Small white markings on dorsal anterior surface of abdomen ( Fig. 18 ). Indistinct horizontal band across abdomen posterior to small white markings, darker brown anteriorly of band, lighter brown posteriorly ( Fig. 18 ). White dorsolateral patches visible at the ends of the horizontal band ( Fig. 18 ). Faint scalloped markings visible on posterior lateral surface of abdomen. Legs pale yellow-brown with dark patches ( Figs 18, 19 ). Tibiae I prolateral surface with a row of five short, very stout spines, tibiae II prolateral surface with two spines distally. Pedipalps with large dishshaped median apophysis ( Figs 4 , 22 ). Conductor elongate with cleft supporting short embolus, and proximal lobe adjacent to cleft ( Figs 4 , 22 ). Terminal apophysis short and curved basally ( Figs 4 , 22, 23 ).

Paratype female (Lamington National Park, QM S83011 ). Female somatic characters are as in male with the following exceptions: chelicerae with four promarginal teeth, apical tooth not separate as in male, apical tooth and second tooth from proximal end much larger than others. Abdomen much larger, more rounded, less tapered posteriorly, wider than long ( Fig. 20 ). Tibiae I prolateral surface with a row of six short, very stout spines, tibiae II prolateral surface with a row of five spines. Epigyne in ventral view approximately as wide as long ( Fig. 24 ), moderately hirsute. Small distal portion of scape curved back anteriorly away from copulatory openings, indistinct median septum continuous with small posterior plate ( Figs 10 , 25 ). Spermathecae relatively large, spherical in shape ( Figs 24, 26 ).

Variation. Carapace may be pale yellow-brown instead of orange-brown, abdomen may be lighter brown, sometimes with greenish tinges. Small white markings on dorsal anterior surface of abdomen more pronounced in some individuals. White dorsolateral patches on abdomen may not be present in some individuals, scalloped pattern on abdomen posterior lateral surface may be more pronounced in some individuals. Male tibiae II variable in number of spines but less than tibiae I.

Measurements. Male holotype (female paratype): total length 5.6 (7.0). Carapace length 3.2 (3.4), width 2.7 (2.9). Sternum length 1.4 (1.5), width 1.2 (1.3). Clypeus 0.18 (0.20). Eyes: AME 0.20 (0.18), ALE 0.10 (0.10), PME 0.15 (0.15), PLE 0.14 (0.14). Row of eyes: AME 0.57 (0.60), ALE 1.17 (1.32), PME 0.45 (0.45), PLE 1.37 (1.52). Legs (femur + patella/tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): I 4.3 (3.5) + 5.0 (4.2) + 3.8 (2.8) + 1.1 (1.0) = 14.2 (11.8); II 3.4 (3.0) + 3.9 (3.6) + 3.0 (2.5) + 1.1 (1.0) = 11.4 (10.1); III 2.2 (2.1) + 2.0 (2.1) + 1.5 (1.2) + 0.9 (0.9) = 6.6 (6.3); IV 2.6 (2.6) + 2.6 (2.8) + 2.0 (2.0) + 0.8 (0.9) = 8.0 (8.3).

Distribution. This species is found along the east coast of Australia from Mt Finnigan in far north Queensland, to Willowvale in southeast New South Wales ( Fig. 27 ), although it appears to occur more frequently in Queensland. It is often collected from areas of higher altitude along the Great Dividing Range.

Life history. Telaprocera maudae sp. nov. of all ages, from first instar to adult, are found year round in at least some parts of the species’ distribution, such as Lamington National Park in southeast Queensland. There appear to be overlapping generations in this area, however, the phenology in other parts of the distribution is unknown. The ladder-webs of these spiders range from about two to seven times taller than wide, and are always built against the trunk of a tree. Webs are not rebuilt every night, but only after several days, presumably when there is substantial damage, or when the silk is no longer sticky. Webs are generally built early in the evening, although webs were occasionally observed being built closer to dawn. The spiders emerge from hiding at dusk and remain at the hub of the web until dawn, only moving in response to prey that has become entangled in the web. Adult males occasionally build webs and are also found sitting at the top of adult female webs. It is uncertain whether these males are guarding recently mated females, or waiting for females to become sexually receptive.

Figures

FIGURE 27. Distribution map for recorded specimens of Telaprocera maudae sp. nov.

FIGURES 18–21. Telaprocera maudae sp. nov. male and female habitus. 18, male, dorsal view; 19, male, ventral view; 20, female, dorsal view; 21, female, ventral view. Scale bars = 1 mm.

FIGURES 22–26. Telaprocera maudae sp. nov. male, WAM T85240 (22–23), and female, WAM T85241 (24–26), genitalia. 22, left male pedipalp, baso-retrolateral view; 23, left male pedipalp, lateral view; 24, epigyne, ventral view, 25, epigyne, aboral view; 26, epigyne, dorsal view. Scale bars = 0.5 mm (male), 0.25 mm (female). Abbreviations: C, conductor; Cy, cymbium; K, dorsal keel; E, embolus; MA, median apophysis; PC, paracymbium; R, radix; Sp, spermatheca; ST, subtegulum; T, tegulum; TA, terminal apophysis; Ti, tibia.

FIGURES 4–9. Male genitalia of T. maudae sp. nov. (4–6), and T. joanae sp. nov. (7–9). 4, left pedipalp, baso-retrolateral view; 5, paracymbium and dorsal keel, dorsolateral view; 6, embolus, baso-retrolateral view; 7, left pedipalp, basoretrolateral view; 8, tip of embolus and basoembolic apophysis; 9, terminal apophysis and digitiform process, apical view. Abbreviations: BA, basoembolic apophysis; C, conductor; D, digitiform process; E, embolus; K, dorsal keel; MA median apophysis; PC, paracymbium; pl, proximal lobe; R, radix; TA, terminal apophysis; Ti, tibia.

FIGURES 32–36. Telaprocera joanae sp. nov. male, WAM T85242 (32–33), and female, WAM T85243 (34–36), genitalia. 32, left male pedipalp, baso-retrolateral view; 33, left male pedipalp, prolateral view; 34, epigyne, ventral view; 35, epigyne, aboral view; 36; epigyne, dorsal view. Scale bars = 0.5 mm (male), 0.25 mm (female). Abbreviations: BA, basoembolic apophysis; C, conductor; D, digitiform process; Cy, cymbium; K, dorsal keel; E, embolus; MA, median apophysis; PC, paracymbium; R, radix; Sp, spermatheca; ST, subtegulum; T, tegulum; TA, terminal apophysis; Ti, tibia.

FIGURES 10–15. Telaprocera maudae sp. nov. epigyne (10) and spinnerets (12–15) and T. joanae sp. nov. epigyne (11). 10, 11, epigyne, aboral view; 12, spinnerets, ventral view; 13, left anterior lateral spinneret; 14, left posterior lateral spinneret; 15, posterior median spinnerets. Abbreviations: ac, aciniform gland spigots; ag, aggregate gland spigot; ALS, anterior lateral spinneret; cy, cylindrical gland spigot; fl, flagelliform gland spigot; ma-ap, major ampullate gland spigot; mi-ap, minor ampullate gland spigot; n, nubbin; pi, piriform gland spigot; PLS, posterior lateral spinneret; PMS, posterior median spinneret; S, scape.