Lampona whaleback, PLATNICK, 2000

PLATNICK, NORMAN I., 2000, A Relimitation And Revision Of The Australasian Ground Spider Family Lamponidae (Araneae: Gnaphosoidea), Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2000 (245), pp. 1-328 : 55

Lampona whaleback , new species

Figures 90–93 ; Map 6

TYPE: Female holotype taken in dry pitfall trap on Mount Whaleback , 238219S, 1198399E, Western Australia (Aug. 7–12, 1997; D. Knowles), deposited in WAM (96/ 1525) .

ETYMOLOGY: The specific name is a noun in apposition taken from the type locality.

DIAGNOSIS: This species resembles L. lomond in having a subbasal knob on the palpal femur, but differs in having a shorter retrolateral tibial apophysis in males (fig. 91) and anterolateral epigynal invaginations in females (fig. 92).

MALE: Total length 7.0. Abdominal dorsum with only posterior white spot clearly marked, with only vague indications of anterior white spots, venter palp gray, without markings; legs with posterior tibia distolaterally darkened. Palpal femur with distinct subbasal knob, retrolateral tibial apophysis situated near ventral edge of segment, accompanied by short, more dorsal apophysis (fig. 91); embolus with long, retrolaterally curved tip (fig. 90).

FEMALE: Total length 8.8. Abdominal dorsum with four anterior white spots each almost rectangular, leg coloration as in male. Epigynum with v­shaped median septum separating anterolateral depressions marked by strong ridges (fig. 92); spermathecae with conical basal portion, rounded distal portion, situated between lateral invaginations (fig. 93).

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED: The single male here associated with the type was taken in a pitfall trap at Bush Bay, 258079S, 1138489E, Western Australia, Jan. 16–May 23, 1995 (P. West, WAM 96/1524).

DISTRIBUTION: Western Australia (map 6).

Figures

Map 6. Records of Lampona whaleback, new species (squares) and L. macilenta L. Koch (circles).

Figs. 90–93. Lampona whaleback, new species. 90. Left male palp, ventral view. 91. Same, retrolateral view. 92. Epigynum, ventral view. 93. Same, dorsal view.