Pillarakaruah, 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

Pillarakaruah n.sp.

Figs. 8b , 10a–e

Etymology. The species nameis takenfrom one of the major rivers arising in the distribution area of the species.

Types. Australia, New South Wales. HOLOTYPE Ƌ KS34509, Upper Allyn , 32°10'S 151°30'E, M. R. Gray . PARATYPES ♀ KS70335, Tuglo , 48 km N Singleton, 32°14'S 151°16'E, 19 Jan 1977, M. R. Gray, sheet webs in logs extended 10–15 cm from log, rainforest; Ƌ KS70332, ♀ KS70333, data as holotype; ƋƋ KS34505 & KS70336, ♀♀ KS70337– 9, data as described ♀ KS70335; Ƌ KS23663, Gloucester Tops, 32°04'S 151°34'E, alt. 1280 m, 19 Nov–4 Dec 1988, D. Bickel, malaise trap, nothofagus forest; ♀ KS58361, data as KS23663, 4–30 Dec 1988; Ƌ KS34506, Barrington Tops, 31°58'S 151°28'E, alt. 1666 m, 18 Jul 1971, G.S. Hunt, eucalypt forest .

Other material. Australia, New South Wales. ♀ KS70334, data as holotype, abdomen used for SEM; Ƌ KS41327, Chichester SF, 100 m N of trig tower, Berrico Rd, 32°06'S 151°45'E, 4 Feb–9 Apr 1993, M. Gray & G. Cassis, NE NSW NPWS Survey .

Diagnosis. Differs from all species except P. macleayensis by presence of undivided, spine-like distal conductor; from P. macleayensis by the reduced MA and narrowly divergent processes of bifurcate RTA. Epigynal fossa and sclerotized area in front of it larger than in P. macleayensis .

Male (holotype). BL 6.61, CL 3.06 (2.41–3.59), CW 2.08, CapW 1.27, EGW 0.90, LL 0.49, LW 0.49, SL 1.51, SW 1.35. Legs: 1243 (I: 17.83; II: 14.17; III: 11.83; IV: 14.00); ratio tibia I length:CW = 1:0.46. Male Palp: ( Fig. 10a,b ). Bifurcate RTA with two large, digitiform processes, diverging at an angle of less than 45° or subparallel, ends rounded with tip upturned and pointed. RVTA with a low retroapical ridge. Tegular lobe basal. Embolic origin probasal. Conductor stalked, bent and extended retrolaterally as a sickle-like, grooved spine. MA reduced toa short, membraneous spine (or 2 smaller spines) with a fleshy, collar-like ridge at base; or MA indistinct.

Female (KS70335). BL 6.49, CL 2.69 (2.04–2.73), CW 1.88, CapW 1.22, EGW 0.82, LL 0.41, LW 0.41, SL 1.29, SW 1.16. Legs: 1423 (I: 11.67; II: 9.42; III: 7.92; IV: 9.58); ratio tibia I length:CW = 1:0.63. Epigynum: (KS70337, Fig. 10c,d ). Fossa a subcircular pit, copulatory ducts opening from anterior end, cuticular area anteriorto fossalip strongly sclerotized. Internalgenitalia: (KS70337, Fig. 10e ). Copulatory ducts moderately broad; spermathecae touching medially.

Variation. MA always reduced but varies from 1–2 membraneous “spines” to indistinct. The low, collar-like ridge around the MA base may be homologous with the fleshy part of the MA in Borrala spp.

Distribution. Barringtonmassif region, New South Wales.

Figures

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

Fig. 10. Pillara karuah n.sp. (a,b) Male palp (KS34509): (a) ventral, (b) retrolateral. (c–e) Female epigynum (KS70337): (c) ventral, (d) lateral, (e) dorsal-internal genitalia. Scale line 0.5 mm.