Miturgopelma couperi sp. nov.

Fig. 26

Diagnosis. Males differ from those of Miturgopelma australiensis by the fluted tip of the median apophysis (Fig. 26a). Female unknown.

Etymology. The species epithet is in honour of herpetologist and spider collector, Patrick Couper, Queensland Museum.

Type material. Western Australia: male holotype, 7–8 km. WNW of Point Salvation, 28°12”S 123°36”E, 1–3 Dec 1990, E. R . Pianka, pitfall trap, WAM T74061 .

Description. Male, holotype WAM T74061

Carapace 3.91 long, 3.21 wide. Opisthosoma 3.80 long, 2.83 wide. Total length, 7.7.

I: 5.38; 2.00; 4.63; 4.50; 2.50; 19.00. II: 4.13; 1.88; 4.25; 5.00; 3.00; 18.25. III: 5.00; 1.63; 4.25; 5.38; 3.13; 19.38. IV: 6.38; 1.75; 5.25; 6.75; -; 20.13. Palp: 1.75; 0.50; 0.63; -; 2.71; 5.00.

Colour: Carapace with caput dark with dark line and dark scallops laterally on thorax; opisthosoma, dorsally mottled orange to red brown, laterally pallid; ventrally none, pallid. Eyes: All similar, small; ALE clearly smallest. Legs moderately long.

Palp: Tibia and patella similar-sized; cymbial hairs all similar, retrobasally with unmodified, narrow edge, RTA: ventral lobe short rounded, almost entirely sclerotised; dorsal lobe spiniform, apically bifid; embolus central, directed transversely prolateral turning sharply basally. MA longer than wide, a short blunt hook.

Distribution. Known only from Point Salvation, Western Australia.