Maratus robinsoni Otto & Hill 2012

Schubert, Joseph, 2020, First records of Maratus robinsoni Otto & Hill 2012 and Maratus vultus Otto & Hill 2016 (Araneae: Salticidae: Euophryini: Maratus Karsch 1878) from Victoria, Australia, Peckhamia 206 (1), pp. 1-7 : 2-3

Maratus robinsoni Otto & Hill 2012

( Figures 1 A–D, 2)

Material examined. 1♂, Kaniva , Victoria, 36°31'45.8"S 141°24'07.9"E, 23 OCT 2019, coll . J . Schubert & B . Baehr , deposited in Museums Victoria collection . Type material observed via Figures 43–50 in Otto & Hill 2012: 3 ♂, Newcastle , New South Wales, 32° 59' 50.42" S, 151° 42' 17.22" E, 15 OCT 2012, coll . J . Otto and P . Robinson (via Otto & Hill 2012). 2♂, Newcastle , New South Wales, 32° 59' 50.42" S, 151° 42' 17.22" E, 22 OCT 2012, coll . J . Otto and P . Robinson (via Otto & Hill 2012). 1♂ Pilliga , New South Wales, 30° 21' 31.23" S, 148° 53' 17.82" E, 2 OCT 2012, coll . J . Otto (via Otto & Hill 2012). 1♂ Munmorah State Recreation Reserve , 33° 12' 46" S, 151° 34' 57" E, 27 NOV 1997, coll . L . Wilkie (via Otto & Hill 2012) .

Diagnosis. Male. Opisthosoma rotund, dorsal surface black and distinctly marked with two longitudinal tracts of iridescent scales which extend ~1/3 the length of the opisthosoma from the anteromedial margin, and bordered by a wide ‘U’ shaped (when viewed from the rear) band of iridescent scales which change colour depending upon which angle they are viewed from. Pedipalp with conical proximal tegulum, an inward projection on the medial side of the relatively large circular ring of the embolus, and the apex of the embolus has a convergent inner and outer edge.

Remarks. Historic records of Maratus robinsoni are known from specimens collected near Newcastle, on the eastern coast of New South Wales, and a specimen collected further inland from Pilliga, New South Wales ( Otto & Hill 2012). The discovery of Maratus robinsoni in Kaniva , Victoria significantly extends its known range by approximately 650 geodesic kilometres in relation to its nearest historic record ( Figure 2 ).

Otto & Hill (2012, 2019) report that in captivity, this small species will burrow in sand to conceal itself. This behaviour is also consistent with the male specimen examined in this study, which was found in a sandy habitat, suggesting that this species may have a preference for sandy terrain.

Figures

Figure 1. Images of the habitus of the Maratus robinsoni specimen collected in Kaniva, Victoria. A, Dorsolateral view. B, Dorsal view. C, Lateral view. D, Anterolateral view.

Figure 2. Distribution of Maratus robinsoni in Australia. Previously known distribution indicated by white circles and new record indicated by red circle.