Therlinya ballata, Gray & Smith, 2002

Gray, Michael R. & Smith, Helen M., 2002, Therlinya, a new genus of spiders from eastern Australia (Araneae: Amaurobioidea), Records of the Australian Museum 54 (3), pp. 293-293 : 305-306

Therlinya ballata n.sp.

Figs. 10a–f , 12

Type material. AUSTRALIA: NEW SOUTH WALES HOLOTYPE: Ƌ, KS34842 ( AMS), Cherry Tree North SF, SW of Casino , 28°54'S 152°45'E, Apr. 1976, M. R. Gray & C. Horseman . PARATYPES: ♀, KS58201, data as for holotype; Ƌ, KS57681, Acacia Plateau & Wilson’s Peak area, Koreelah SF, 28°16'S 152°27'E, 12 Dec. 1988, Smith, Hines, Pugh & Webber, Focal Peak Survey, trap AP5; Ƌ, KS57683, Cambridge Plateau, Richmond Range SF, 28°47'S 152°45'E, 17 Dec. 1988, Smith, Hines, Pugh & Webber, Focal Peak Survey, trap CP9; ♀, KS37198, Boorook SF, 1 km NW Boorook Creek junction on Conlongan Rd, 28°51'24"S 152°11'27"E, 18 Feb. 1993, M. R. Gray & G. Cassis, pit-traps, site 09 BM .

Diagnosis. CL 2.65–3.75. Separated from all species by the asymmetric shape of the epigynal fossae; and from most species by the partial reflexion of the end of the conductor, except T. vexillum in which reflexion is stronger.

Male (holotype). BL 7.71, CL 3.75 (2.86–3.75), CW 2.55, CapW 1.53, EGW 1.01, LL 0.59, LW 0.50, SL 1.82, SW 1.53. Legs: Leg formula 1243 (I 16.29, II 15.07, III 11.65, IV 13.95); ratio tibia I length to carapace width = 1:0.61. Male palp: Fig. 10a,b. Cymbium with moderately developed retrolateral flange. Bulb longer than wide with a small tegular lobe placed retrolaterally. Embolus origin retrolateral. Stem of T-shaped conductor probasally directed; anterior limb long, widened distally with a retrolateral lamina and partially reflexed; posterior limb placed basally; tegular window small, placed retrolaterally. RTA dorsad, visible in ventral view; RVTA relatively slender with small beak-like apex.

Female (KS58201). BL 7.96, CL 3.60 (2.65–3.60), CW 2.29, CapW 1.71, EGW 1.03, LL 0.58, LW 0.52, SL 1.67, SW 1.31. Standard colour pattern. Legs: 1423 (I 12.84, II 10.80, III 9.13, IV 11.45); ratio tibia I length:CW = 1:0.70. Epigynum: Fig. 10c–e . Scape relatively long, mostly placed behind epigastric groove; moderately broad with sides gradually narrowing distally; in side view distoventral scape weakly protuberant. Epigynal fossae vertical but their shapes are somewhat distorted due to internal overlap and displacement of proximal copulatory ducts. Internal genitalia: Fig. 10f . Copulatory ducts very broad and overlapping proximally, so that the inner walls of the epigynal fossae are displaced relative to each other ( Fig. 10d–f ).

Distribution. Northeastern New South Wales.

Etymology. The specific name is an Aboriginal word for the native cherry tree and is a reference to the type locality.

Figures

Figure 10. Therlinya ballata. a,b, male palp (holotype): a, ventral; b, retrolateral. –f, epigynum (KS58201): c, ventral; d, lateral RHS; e, lateral LHS; f, dorsal— internal genitalia. Scale line 0.5 mm.

Figure 12. Distribution of Therlinya species:northern New South Wales and southeast Queensland. A T. wiangaree, Δ T. vexillum, * T. horsemanae, O T. ballata, Z T. bellinger.