Knotodo gracilis (Hickman, 1950) comb. nov.

Figs 1, 2a, 59–60

Odo gracilis Hickman, 1950: 8, figs 8–10.

Argoctenus gracilis: Davies 1985: 123.

Diagnosis. Males differ from those of other Knotodo gen. nov. species in the long, slender median apophysis in line with the slender embolus origin, and the dorsal lobe of the RTA a long, sweeping scythe-like hook overhanging the narrowly triangular ventral lobe (Fig. 60d). Males are very similar to those of K. coolgardie sp. nov., from which they differ in lacking the distinct conical process on the retroventral palpal patella. Knoto gracilis males most closely resemble those of K. narelleae sp. nov. and differ in that the median apophysis is a smooth, twisting cone and lacks a predistal scoop retrolaterally (Fig. 60b). Female unknown.

Type Material. South Australia: male holotype, Reevesby Is., MV K146 (examined) .

Other Material Examined. 1 ma., Lake Callabonna, 29°39’S 140°00’E, 30 Aug 1979, MV K4451 ; 1 ma., Whyalla, 33°02’S 137°35’E, 31 Aug 1949, MV K4463 ; 1 ma., Ooldea, 30°27’S 131°50’E, Troughton & Wright, AM KS16487 .

Queensland: 1 ma., Ethabuka Stn, 23°46’S 138°28’E, desert, 4–6 Mar 1999, R . Raven, B. Baehr, QM S68881; 4 ma., SDB pitfall, Mar 1995, C. Dickman et al., QM S33451 .

Western Australia: 3 ma., 7–8 km WNW of Point Salvation, 28°12’S, 123°36’E, 3–12 Dec 1990, E. R . Pianka, pitfall traps, WAM98 /953–955.

Description. Male WAM98/743

Colour: Carapace with two moderately dark shell-like areas laterally; opisthosoma, dorsally laterally pallid mottled lightly with distinct dark median stripe with 2 lateral ostiate branches; ventrally none, pallid; femora strongly mottled fading gradually to metatarsus. Eyes. All similar, small but ALE clearly smallest. Posterior row more or less overlapping; PME and PLE inner edges well separated. Legs very long.

Spines: Femora pv1 only on I–III; tibia I, II, p2r2; p2d1r2; palp fe with p1.

Palp: Patella with low broad transverse ridge retrolaterally; dorsally with distal point interlocking with sclerotised notch on basal tibia; cymbial hairs all similar, but hairs very long basally; retrobasally with distinct groove for basal half; probasal edge extended laterally with distinctly squared edge forming rounded lobe; apex of ventral lobe blunt, triangular; ventral lobe short, triangular, laterally broad; ventral lobe long, triangular, dorsal lobe a wide, recurved hooked plate; RTA distal; short, directed laterally; two plates sandwiching unsclerotised zone; base of ventral lobe darkly sclerotised conical process; ventral lobe long, triangular, dorsal lobe a wide, recurved hooked plate; embolus central, directed to basal palp.

Distribution. Known only from South Australia and Queensland and presumably adjacent areas of the Northern Territory.