Helpis wanlessi, Żabka, Marek & Patoleta, Barbara M., 2014

Żabka, Marek & Patoleta, Barbara M., 2014, New species of Helpis Simon, 1901 from Australia (Araneae: Salticidae), with a new definition of the genus, Zootaxa 3873 (5), pp. 571-589 : 580

Helpis wanlessi sp. nov.

Figs 42–50 , 86

Type material. AUSTRALIA, New South Wales: ♂ holotype, Warrumbungles National Park, John Renshaw Parkway, 1.9 km W of Camp Wambelong, 31º16'32" S, 148º57'37" E, [-31.2756, 148.9603], under rocks, 10 Nov. 2001, M. Gray, G. Milledge & H. Smith, AMS KS75206.

Etymology. In honour of the British arachnologist Mr Fred R. Wanless, in recognition of his excellent work on salticid taxonomy.

Diagnosis. In comparison with other relatives, median guides wider, copulatory openings oriented laterally (the only case), insemination ducts relatively shorter ( Figs 49–50 ).

Description. Female holotype. Cephalothorax pear-shaped, greyish brown covered with brown hairs and sparse chestnut setae ( Fig. 42 ). Eyes surrounded in dark brown. Thorax with middle yellowish stripe. Abdomen with a grey pattern on light background. Spinnerets whitish, but the anterior ones with wide grey band. Clypeus grey brown, narrow (about 16% of AME diameter), with some protruding bristles below and between AME ( Fig. 44 ). Chelicerae grey brown, with rugose frontal surfaces, promargin and retromargin with four and five teeth, respectively ( Fig. 46 ). Pedipalps greyish brown, metatarsus with a dorsal and a retrolateral spine. Endites and labium basally greyish brown with lighter distal halves ( Fig. 45 ). Sternum yellowish, with darker margins. Venter whitish with grey pattern ( Fig. 43 ). Legs I the longest and more robust than others, greyish brown, only coxae and femora pale yellow, darker laterally. Ventral spination of first legs: tibia 2-2-2-2, metatarsus 2-2. Legs II more delicate, with similar colouration and spination. Legs III–IV lighter, with darker bands. All femora with dorsal spines: first femora 1-1-2, the others 1-1-3. Epigyne with clearly visible posterior pouch ( Fig. 49 ). Copulatory ducts short, slightly oblique, spermathecae pear-shaped, accessory glands short ( Fig. 50 ). Dimensions: CL 2.81, CH 1.45, CW 2.22, AL 3.32, AW 2.03, EFL 1.24, AEW 1.87, PEW 1.53, leg I 7.30 (2.14+1.32+1.85+1.31+0.68), leg II 6.12 (1.74+1.09+1.49+1.20+0.60), leg III 6.22 (1.71+0.95+1.44+1.46+0.66), leg IV 7.83 (2.20+0.78+2.03+1.86+0.70).

Male. Unknown.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality ( Fig. 86 , triangle).

Figures

FIGURE 86. Distribution records of Helpis merriwa (square) and H. wanlessi (triangle).

FIGURES 42 – 50. Helpis wanlessi sp. nov. 42 female holotype, dorsal view; 43 same, ventral view; 44 same, frontal view; 45 same, endites, labium and chelicerae; 46 same, cheliceral dentition; 47 same, lateral view, 48 – 49 same, epigyne; 50 same, vulva; (ag: accessory gland, cd: copulatory duct, co: copulatory opening, mg: median guide, p: pouch, s: spermatheca). Scale: 42 – 47 = 1 mm, 49 = as in Fig.