Kochosa tasmaniensis, 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 : 343-347

Kochosa tasmaniensis sp. nov.

( Figs 25A–F , 26A–D , 27 )

Holotype. Male, Eddystone Point (40º59'S 147º21'E, Tasmania, AUSTRALIA), T. B. Churchill, November 1986 ( QVMAG 13 :819).

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the Australian state Tasmania, where this species is found.

Other material examined (18 males, 1 female). Australia: Tasmania : 1 male Eddystone Point , 40º59′S 147º21′E ( QVMAG 13 :474) ; 1 male, same data ( QVMAG 13 :3447) ; 1 male, same data ( QVMAG 13 :3512) ; 1 female North Scottsdale , 41º06'S 147º33'E ( QVMAG 13 :43258) ; 2 males Waterhouse Point , 40º49'S 147º40'E ( QVMAG 13 :423) ; 1 male, same data ( QVMAG 13 :433) ; 1 male, same data ( QVMAG 13 :539) ; 1 male, same data ( QVMAG 13 :627) ; 1 male, same data ( QVMAG 13 :973) ; 1 male, same data ( QVMAG 13 :1969) ; 1 male, same data ( QVMAG 13 :3189) ; 1 male, same data ( QVMAG 13 :3379) ; 1 male, same data ( QVMAG 13 :3403) ; 1 male, same data ( QVMAG 13 :3485) ; 1 male, same data ( QVMAG 13 :3501) ; 1 male, same data ( QVMAG 13 :3770) ; 1 male, same data ( QVMAG 13 :4279) ; 1 male, same data ( QVMAG 13 :4061) .

Diagnosis. Males of K. tasmaniensis sp. nov. can be separated from all other species in the genus by the long and thin embolus, which is distinctly waved apically ( Fig. 25C ). Similar to K. obelix sp. nov., the embolic division has a thorn-like protrusion retrolaterally, but it is much stronger in the latter species ( Fig. 18E ). The epigyne of female K. tasmaniensis sp. nov. differ from those of all other species by the distinct posterior raised edge ( Fig. 26C ).

In addition, K. tasmaniensis sp. nov. is the only species, which has a tubercle on the outer edge of the fangs in both males ( Fig. 25F ) and females.

Description.

Male ( based on holotype, QVMAG 13 :819) .

Cephalothorax. Dorsally dark brown, distinct light median band narrowing abruptly behind cephalic area ( Fig. 25A ); light lateral bands distinct; dense cover of white, short setae in median and lateral bands ( Fig. 25A ); Sternum dark brown (Fig, 25B); chelicerae fang with tubercle ( Fig. 25F ).

Abdomen. Dorsally light orange-brown; cardiac mark continuous, narrowest posteriorly and there bordered by dark brown area ( Fig. 25A ). Venter orange-brown ( Fig. 25B ).

Pedipalps ( Fig. 25C–E ): patella conspicuously light brown ( Fig. 25A ); tegular apophysis broad, almost translucent; basoembolic apophysis reduced to a small sclerotised edge; embolus long, slender, and distinctly waved apically.

Legs. Brown with indistinct dark annulations; spination of leg I: femur: 3 dorsal, 1 apicoprolateral; tibia: 3 ventral pairs, 1 apicoventral pair, 1 prolateral, 1 retrolateral; metatarsus: 3 ventral pairs, 1 apicoventral, 2 prolateral, 1 apicoprolateral, 2 retrolateral, 1 apicoretrolateral.

Measurements (based on holotype QVMAG 13:819: TL 4.72, CL 2.42, CW 1.78. Eyes: AME 0.10, ALE 0.10, PME 0.23, PLE 0.20. Row of eyes: AE 0.57, PME 0.72, PLE 0.86. Sternum (length/width) 1.14/0.92 (1.03/0.96). Labium (length/width) 0.30/0.36. AL 2.39, AW 1.49. Legs: Length of segments: Pedipalp 0.88+0.85+-+0.81=2.54, I 1.82+2.16+1.51+0.88=6.37; II 1.76+2.02+1.51+0.88=6.17, III 1.51+1.65+1.45+0.85=5.46; IV 1.96+2.19+2.10+ 1.16=7.41.

Variation. Size (range, mean ± s.d.): TL 3.92–5.40, 4.52 ± 0.50; CL 2.30–2.93, 2.54 ± 0.21; CW 1.60–2.00, 1.82 ± 0.12, n = 10. The most evident variation in K. tasmaniensis sp. nov. concerns the abdominal pattern, as the anterior shoulders are sometimes very pale increasing the contrast-rich colouration of this species.

Female ( based on paratype, QVMAG 13 :43258) .

Cephalothorax and abdomen. Similar to male ( Fig. 26A, B ); the single female is in poor condition and all legs are fallen off. The specimen is overall darker than the male illustrated. The outer tubercle on the fang is present as in male.

Epigyne ( Fig. 26C, D ): ventral view: median septum indistinct with but with raised posterior rim ( Fig. 26C ); dorsal view: spermathecal heads spherical, comparatively small; spermathecal stalks short, attaching posterolaterally ( Fig. 26D ).

Legs. Spination unknown as all legs fallen off.

Measurements: TL 5.91, CL 3.00, CW 2.00 (but cephalothorax laterally compressed). Eyes: AME 0.09, ALE 0.14, PME 0.23, PLE 0.23. Row of eyes: AE 0.72, PME 0.88, PLE 1.28. Sternum (length/width) 1.40/1.12. Labium (length/width) 0.45/0.54. AL 3.00, AW 2.24. Legs: measurements not possible.

Life history and habitat preferences. The habitat preferences of K. tasmaniensis sp. nov. are unknown; males were found between September and December, but mostly in October and November. A single male was recorded in April suggesting that they mature before winter. The female paratype was collected in October.

Distribution. Kochosa tasmaniensis sp. nov. has so far only been found at three locations in north-eastern Tasmania ( Fig. 27 ).

Figures

FIGURE 18A–E. Kochosa obelix sp. nov., male holotype, WAM T58303 (A–B) and male (WAM T69958) (C–E). 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.

FIGURE 25A–E. Kochosa tasmaniensis sp. nov., male holotype, QVMAG 13:819. 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.

FIGURE 26A–D. Kochosa tasmaniensis sp. nov., female, QVMAG 13:43258. A, B, female habitus, dorsal and ventral view (epigyne removed); C, epigyne, epigyne, ventral view. Scale bars: A, B, 1.0 mm; C, 0.2 mm.

FIGURE 27. Distribution records of Kochosa tasmaniensis sp. nov., K. timwintoni sp. nov., K. tongiorgii sp. nov. and K. westralia sp. nov.