Kochosa fleurae, Framenau & Castanheira & Yoo, 2023

Framenau, Volker W., Castanheira, Pedro De S. & Yoo, Jung-Sun, 2023, The artoriine wolf spiders of Australia: the new genus Kochosa and a key to genera (Araneae: Lycosidae), Zootaxa 5239 (3), pp. 301-357 : 325-326

Kochosa fleurae sp. nov.

( Figs 13 , 14A–E )

Holotype. Male , Skylark Road , Whipstick (36º37'30''S 144º16'00″E, Victoria, AUSTRALIA), J. Shield, 10–17 December 1998, Whipstick Forest Survey MS # 138 ( MV K-8672).

Etymology. The specific epithet is a matronym for a very good friend of the senior author, Fleur de Crespigny (currently Head, Dementia Unit at the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, Canberra).

Other material examined. 2 males, Skylark Road, Whipstick, 36º37'30''S 144º16'00″E ( MV K-7728) .

Diagnosis. Males of K. fleurae sp. nov. are separated from those of all other species of the genus by their unique long and sharp basoembolic apophyses and flat and broad embolus ( Fig. 14E ). They are most similar to K. asterix sp. nov. but differ from those due to the ventrally folded basoembolic apophysis ( Fig. 14E ). The female of K. fleurae sp. nov. is unknown.

Description.

Male ( based on holotype, MV K-8672) .

Cephalothorax. Dorsally dark brown; median light band slightly narrowing posteriorly, covered with white setae; lateral light bands broad and covered with white setae ( Fig. 14A ). Sternum dark brown ( Fig. 14B ).

Abdomen. Dorsally light olive grey; cardiac mark continuous bordered by indistinct dark brown discolourations in posterior half ( Fig. 14A ). Venter brown ( Fig. 14B ).

Pedipalps ( Fig. 14C–E ). Embolus broad and flat and tapering to apex; basoembolic apophysis distinct, long and pointing retrolaterally; tegular apophysis forms a small round lobe situated apically on tegulum.

Legs. Light brown with irregular darker discolourations; spination of leg I: femur: 4 dorsal, 2 retrolateral (very small); tibia: 4 ventral pairs (apical pair small), 2 prolateral, 1 retrolateral; metatarsus: 4 ventral pairs (apical pair small and closer), 2 prolateral; 1 apicoprolateral, 1 retrolateral.

Measurements. TL 4.39, CL 2.49, CW 1.64. Eyes: AME 0.10, ALE 0.10, PME 0.31, PLE 0.30. Row of eyes: AE 0.48, PME 0.65, PLE 0.79. Sternum (length/width) 0.99/0.92. Labium (length/width) 0.28/0.34. AL 1.99, AW 1.35. Legs: Length of segments: Pedipalp 0.84+0.28+0.36+0.88 = 2.36, I 1.42+1.83+1.17+0.85=5.27; II 1.42+1.78 +1.17+0.89=5.26, III 1.35+1.49+1.24+0.74=4.82; IV 1.85+2.24+2.14+1.07=7.30.

Variation. Size (range, mean ± s.d.): TL 4.39 – 5.82 , 4.93 ± 0.75; CL 2.49 – 3.18 , 2.78 ± 0.35; CW 1.64–1.91, 1.75 ± 0.14, n = 3. Both other males are of similar colouration as the holotype.

Female. Unknown.

Life history and habitat preferences. The three males of K. fleurae sp. nov. were found in Whipstick Westringia ( Westringia crassifolia ) shrub and forest between October and December. Westringia crassifolia is listed as Endangered in Victoria and Australia and this conservation rating may also be applied to K. fleurae sp. nov. if the species is a habitat specialist relying on this species.

Distribution. Only known from and around the type locality, Whipstick (Victoria) ( Fig. 13 ).

Figures

FIGURE 13. Distribution records of Kochosa erratum sp. nov., K. fleurae sp. nov., K. mendum sp. nov. and K. nigra sp. nov.

FIGURE 14A–E. Kochosa fleurae sp. nov., male holotype, MV K-8672. A, B, male habitus, dorsal and ventral view; C, D, male, left pedipalp, ventral and retrolateral view; E, male, left pedipalp, apical section. Scale bars: A, B, 1.0 mm; C, D, 0.2 mm; E, 0.1 mm.