Pillaragriswoldi, Gray & Smith, 2004

Gray, M. R. & Smith, H. M., 2004, The “ Striped ” Group of Stiphidiid Spiders: Two New Genera from Northeastern New South Wales, Australia (Araneae: Stiphidiidae: Amaurobioidea), Records of the Australian Museum 56 (1), pp. 123-138 : 123-138

Pillaragriswoldi n.sp.

Figs. 8b , 13a–e

Etymology. The species is named in honour of Charles Griswold, Californian Academy of Sciences, one of the collectors.

Types. Australia, New South Wales. HOLOTYPE Ƌ KS72857, Gloucester River camp ground, Barrington Tops NP, 32°04'S 151°41'E, webs on/under mossy logs, M. R. Gray & H.M. Smith, 22 Nov 1996 . PARATYPES: ♀ KS72858, ƋƋ KS72859, KS72860, data as holotype; Ƌ , ♀ ( CAS), locality data as holotype, 14 Aug 1990 , C. Griswold; ♀ KS41330, Mountain Rd, 0.2 km Sof junction with Kunungra Rd , 32°08'S 151°44'E, 4 Feb–9 Apr 1993 , M. Gray & G. Cassis, NE NSW NPWS Survey; ƋƋ NN19551–2 ( SAM), O’Sullivans Gap, Bulahdelah SF, 32°19'S 152°16'E, under log, 14 May 1988 , D. Hirst.

Diagnosis. Separated from all other species by presence of long, rod-like, mid-retrolateral process on RVTA and large, sclerotized, anteromedial knob on epigynum.

Male (holotype). BL 5.27, CL 2.62 (2.53–2.62), CW 1.89, CapW 1.11, EGW 0.77, LL 0.42, LW 0.43, SL 1.44, SW 1.21. Legs: 1243 (I: 15.16; II: 12.51; III: 10.25; IV: 12.47); ratio tibia I length:CW = 1:0.47. Male Palp: ( Fig. 13a,b ). Bifurcate RTA processes robust, apically pointed, relatively shorter than in other species, subparallel to weakly angled; subapical spine present on thicker dorsal process. RVTA relatively short, and with a long, mid-retrolateral, rod-like process. Tegular lobe basal. Conductor a short wide stalk, widely bifurcate distally with twopointed processes, ventral process spine-like and sclerotized, dorsal process triangular and membraneous. Embolus relatively short, running from probasal origin into groove on ventral conductor process. MA reduced toa fleshy process. Tegular windowvery small.

Female (KS 72858). BL 5.78, CL 2.33 (2.24–2.41), CW 1.45, CapW 0.98, EGW 0.70, LL 0.36, LW 0.32, SL 1.14, SW 1.01. Legs: 1423 (I: 10.07; II: 7.53; III: 5.78; IV: 8.07); ratio tibia I length:CW = 1:0.56. Epigynum: ( Fig. 13c,d ). Epigynal fossa absent. Large, sclerotized, knob-like apophysis placed on anteromedial epigynum and flanked on each side by a lateral groove and ridge converging posteriorly; long copulatory grooves open lateral to each ridge. Internal genitalia: ( Fig. 13e ). Very short copulatory ducts lead from the copulatory grooves into ovoid spermathecae that are in broad contact medially.

Distribution. Eastern Barringtonmassif tothe Bulahdelah area of NSW.

Comments. This is the most derived representative of the genus in both male palpal and epigynal characteristics. The epigynal structure is especially altered from the general generic pattern. The development of the massive anterior apophysis on the epigynum appears to have obliterated the pit-like fossa and pushed the copulatory duct openings laterally and ventrally to a surface position.

Figures

Fig. 8. Locality records for Borrala n.gen. (map a) and Pillara n.gen. (map b) species, northeastern New South Wales.

Fig. 13. Pillara griswoldi n.sp. (a,b) Male palp (CAS): (a) ventral, (b) retrolateral. (c–d) Female epigynum (c) ventral (KS72858), (d) lateral (CAS), (e) dorsal-internal genitalia (KS72858). Scale line 0.5 mm.