Asmea mullerensis, Gray & Smith, 2008

Gray, Michael R. & Smith, Helen M., 2008, A New Subfamily of Spiders with Grate-shaped Tapeta from Australia and Papua New Guinea (Araneae: Stiphidiidae: Borralinae), Records of the Australian Museum 60 (1), pp. 13-44 : 44

Asmea mullerensis n.sp.

Figs 8e , 21a,b

Type material. Papua New Guinea: Southern Highlands Province: HOLOTYPE:?, KS571, Muller Range , scarp area, c. 5°34'S 142°25'E, 17 Aug. 1976, D. Rothery. (Locality coordinates approximated from maps and information in James et al., 1977; James & Dyson, 1978)

Diagnosis. Separated from A. akrikensis by the closely adjacent MA processes and digitiform cymbium, from A. hayllari by the uniformly keel-shaped RDTA, and from A. capella by the erect and apically truncate retrolateral MA process.

Description

Male (holotype). BL 6.58, CL 3.31, CW 2.29, CapW 1.35, EGW 1.03, LL 0.50, LW 0.50, SL 1.51, SW 1.39. Legs (legs 1 missing): probably (1)423. Metatarsi I missing, II weakly bowed and flattened. PME>AME>PLE>ALE. Clypeus height 1.75× AME width. Male palp ( Fig. 21a,b ). Distal cymbium short, digitiform. Cymbial flange not strongly offset from cymbium. Deep indentation between TL and embolic base. Bipartite MA processes approximated, lateral process an erect, moderately sclerotized and distally translucent lamina, truncate apically. Tibia with 3 prodorsal bristles; RVTA small; RDTA keel-like, about half length of tibia.

Female: Not known

Distribution. Recorded from the type locality only.

Etymology. The name refers to the Muller Range, the region from which this species was collected.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS. For the loan of material we thank P. Lawless and O. Seeman (Queensland Museum), D. Hirst (South Australian Museum) and J. Waldock (Western Australian Museum). Mr J. Noble donated material and provided accommodation at Jamberoo . Mr Tom Hayllar, a member of the 1965 Australian Star Mountains Expedition, provided valuable assistance with PNG collection data. This project was aided by funding to MRG through the New South Wales Biodiversity Strategy: Taxonomy Enhancement Research Grants. The line illustrations are by Helen Smith. The SEM images were made with the assistance of Sue Lindsay, Microscopy and Microanalysis Unit Manager, Australian Museum.

Figures

Fig. 8. Distribution records: (a), Jamberoo spp.: J. johnnoblei, d; J. boydensis, h; J. actensis, p; J. australis, s. (b), Couranga spp.: C. kioloa, d; C. diehappy, h. (c), Karriella spp.: K. treenensis, N; K. walpolensis, s. (d), Elleguna spp.: E. major, n; E. minor, d. (e), Asmea spp.: A. akrikensis, p; A. hayllari, s; A. capella, h; A. mullerensis, N.

Fig. 21 Asmea mullerensis. (a,b), male palp (holotype):