Karaops markharveyi, Crews, 2023

Crews, Sarah C., 2023, But wait, there's more! Descriptions of new species and undescribed sexes of flattie spiders (Araneae, Selenopidae, Karaops) from Australia, ZooKeys 1150, pp. 1-189 : 1

Karaops markharveyi sp. nov.

Figs 42D, F , 43A, B , 44 A-H , 45 A, B , Maps 1 , 8

Material examined.

Holotype: Western Australia • ♀ (reared in captivity); Gibb River Road , ~ 4.6 km from Drysdale River Road , heading east; 16°6'12.69"S, 126°34'44.60"E; ~ 491 m; 22 May 2016; S. Crews, J. DeJong leg.; sandstone outcrop on south side of road; sel_1249; SCC16_050; (WAM T155625) . Paratypes: ♂ (reared in captivity); same data as previous; sel_1250; (WAM T155626) • ♀ (reared in captivity); Gibb River Road , heading east; 15°57'37.61"S, 126°52'57.32"E; ~ 410 m; 12 May 2016; S. Crews, J. DeJong leg.; sandstone outcrop on south side of road; sel_1253; SCC16_051; (WAM T155629) • Northern Territory • ♀, ♂ (reared in captivity); Judbarra National Park, Joe Creek Walk; 15°36'20.63"S, 131°4'45.02"E; 1 Jun. 2016; S. Crews, J. DeJong leg.; under pink sandstone rocks beneath escarpment; sel_1330, 1332; SCC16_070; (MAGNT A004886, A004888) . Other material examined: Western Australia • 2 imm., same data as holotype; sel_1248, 1251; (WAM T155624, T155627) • 1 imm.; same data as sel_1253; sel_1251; (WAM T155627) • ♂ (reared in captivity); same data as previous; sel_1252; (WAM T155628) • 2♂ (reared in captivity); same data as sel_1330, 1332; sel_1329, 1331; (MAGNT A004885, A004887) .

Diagnosis.

Females of Karaops markharveyi sp. nov. are most similar to K. madhawundu sp. nov. and K. mareeba sp. nov. by the large, round accessory bulbs (Figs 44C-F ; 47D, E ) but can be differentiated by the much smaller size: females of the new species average 3.58 (n = 3), whereas K. madhawundu sp. nov. have a median size of 7.31 (n = 3) and K. mareeba sp. nov. a median size of 7.63 (n = 2). Additionally, the spermathecae of K. mareeba sp. nov. are directed medially at ~ 45°angle, and the copulatory openings are beneath a lobe (42C, E).

The male palps do not resemble any other known Australian selenopid (Fig. 46A-C, E ); however, the males are unknown for Karaops madhawundu sp. nov. and K. mareeba sp. nov., the two species that most closely resemble this new species, and molecular data suggest they are closely related to one another (Suppl. material 1). The cymbium has a superficial resemblance to that of K. yumbubaarnji sp. nov. by the chemosensory setae on the tip (Fig. 36A, B ), and the body size of both species is small, but the other features of the palp are not similar, and the abdominal pattern differs between the two (Figs 34A , 35A , 44B , 45A, B ).

Description.

Female (holotype). Total length 4.09. Carapace length 1.99, width 2.39. Chelicerae: promargin with three teeth, retromargin with two teeth (1-0-1). Eyes: AER recurved; PER strongly recurved; diameters, AME 0.12, ALE 0.08, PME 0.16, PLE 0.26; interdistances AME-PME 0.04, PME-ALE 0.11, ALE-PLE 0.17, PME-PME 0.72, ALE-ALE 1.01, AME-AME 0.38, PLE-PLE 1.22. Sternum length 0.88, width 1.18. Abdomen length 2.10, width 1.52. Color (in life Figs 43A , 47A, C /preserved Figs 42D , 44H ): Carapace: reddish brown with two large dark patches behind PLEs extending to middle of carapace next to furrow, some dark patches laterally and posterior to furrow, white setae behind eyes, and in patches on carapace. Chelicerae: yellow-brown, anterior black except medially. Maxillae: yellow, dusky on outer edge. Labium: brownish yellow, pale distally. Sternum: pale yellowish white. Abdomen: dorsally dark brown with orangish spots anterolaterally, mediolaterally, posterolaterally, posteriorly, all but posterior patches with black dot, all orangish areas with tufts of white setae on edges, posterior dark; ventrally yellowish white. Anterior spinnerets: yellowish brown, posterior spinnerets black except ventrally yellowish brown. Legs: yellowish with black marks dorsally and ventrally on Cx I-III, dark mark anteriorly on all Tr,, annulations on all legs, only completely encircle legs at Mt, centers open but dusky on Fm, Pt, and Fm-Pt joint, dark annulations on Ti at Pt-Ti joint and medially, dark annulations on Mt at Ti-Mt joint and at Mt-Ta joint, Ta tips dark; flat, white setae enlarged distally ventrally on all Fm, Pt, Ti, annulation at Pt-Mt joint, tips of Ta dark; spination leg I Fm d 1-1-1, Ti v 2-2-2-2-2, Mt v 2-2-2; leg II Fm d 1-1-1, Ti v 2-2-2-2-2, Mt v 2-2-2; leg III Fm d 1-1-1, Ti v 1-1, Mt v 2-0, 5 pair of small spines near Mt-Ta; leg IV Fm d 1-1-1, rl 0-0-1, rl 0-1-1, Ti v 1-1-1, Mt v 1-1; leg formula 2341; measurements leg I 7.43 (2.41, 0.90, 2.00. 1.23, 0.89); leg II 9.78 (3.82, 0.88, 2.34, 1.64, 1.10); leg III 9.56 (3.40, 0.83, 2.39, 1.18, 1.76); leg IV 8.33 (2.94, 0.60, 2.03, 1.65, 1.11). Palp spination Fm d 0-1-2; 1.84 (0.59, 0.36, 0.27, 0.63); claw with five teeth; dark spots dorsolaterally and ventrally on Fm. Epigyne: EP rounded triangular; MF slightly depressed; LL conspicuous posteriorly, touching; COs laterally in depression. Endogyne: CDs very short; ABs large, round; S oblong; FDs large, directed anterolaterally; small pdf.

Male (paratype). Total length 3.10. Carapace length 1.71, width 2.07. Chelicerae: promargin with three teeth, retromargin with two teeth (1-0-1). Eyes: AER recurved, PER strongly recurved; diameters, AME 0.12, ALE 0.06, PME 0.16, PLE 0.22; interdistances AME-PME 0.02, PME-ALE 0.11, ALE-PLE 0.15, PME-PME 0.63, ALE-ALE 0.88, AME-AME 0.33, PLE-PLE 1.09. Sternum: length 0.89, width 1.16. Abdomen length 1.39, width 1.29. Color (in life Figs 43B , 44A , 45A, B , 48A /preserved Fig. 44B, G ): Carapace: reddish brown with two large dark patches originating behind PLEs, extending to middle of carapace next to furrow, some dark patches laterally, posterior to furrow, white setae behind eyes, in patches on carapace/yellow-brown, dark patches visible but dispersed, white setae not as conspicuous. Chelicerae: yellowish, anterior black except basolaterally, setae pale, darkened towards middle. Maxillae: yellowish with black marks anterolaterally. Labium tan, paler distally. Sternum: yellowish white. Abdomen dorsally brownish orange with dark areas medially, laterally, with four dots anteriorly, small patches of white setae at edges of dark medial mark; ventrally whitish gray. Spinnerets: anterior yellowish brown, posterior black except ventrally yellowish brown. Legs: yellowish with black marks anteriorly and posteriorly on Cx, anteriorly on Tr, black bands and spots on Fm, Pt dusky at Fm-Pt joint ventrally, black annulation at Pt-Ti joint, two additional dusky areas, dark annulation on Mt at Ti-Mt joint and at Mt-Ta joint, Ta dark at tip; white setae enlarged distally ventrally on Fm, Pt, Ti; spination leg I Fm d 1-1-1, pr 0-0-1, rl 0-0-1, Ti v 2-2-2-2-2-2, Mt v 2-2-2-2; leg II Fm d 1-1-1, pr 0-0-1, Ti v 2-2-2-2-2-2, Mt v 2-2-2-2; leg III Fm d 1-1-1, Ti v 2-2; leg IV Fm d 1-1-1, Ti v 2-2; leg formula 3241; measurements leg I 7.23 (2.19, 0.73, 1.85, 1.48, 0.98); leg II 8.71 (2.73, 0.79, 2.18, 1.89, 1.12); leg III 9.29 (2.99, 0.82, 2.33, 2.04, 1.11); leg IV 7.97 (2.60, 0.62, 1.84, 1.95, 0.96). Palp: spination Fm d 0-0-1; 1.73 (0.63, 0.22, 0.27, 0.61); dark spot retrolaterally on Fm, retrolaterally and dorsally on Ti, Cy with dark marking basodorsally, apically; dRTA very large, much larger than vRTA, wide, nearly as wide as Ti, pointed at tip, in ventral view, convex medially, plicate distally, vRTA narrow, spoon shaped in ventral view; rbcp smallish; Cy oval in ventral view, laterally, can see indentation along top with patch of chemosensory setae (Fig. 46A, B ); C large, heavily sclerotized, arced along top, similar to a wave, obscuring ~ 1/2 of E in CS, C covered by TS; E arises from large TL with anterior extension, hook shaped, originating at 7 o’clock, ending at 1 o’clock; MA large, roundish base, with small lobe retrolaterally, tapers only slightly to tip shaped like a bird’s head, heavily sclerotized at base, base covered with Sp.

Variation.

Females (n = 3): In sel_1253, the AME and PME are equal in size, but in sel_1249 and sel_1332, the PME are larger than the AME. Leg III is longest in sel_1253, leg II is longest in sel_1249; however, leg II and leg III are very similar in length. Body length 3.07-4.09. Colors slightly vary, sel_1253 is paler than sel_1249. There is a lot of variability in genitalia - in fact, of the three, none are identical (Figs 44C-F , 47D, E ). In sel_1249 the accessory bulbs are very close together, the accessory bulbs are slanted anteriorly from medial to lateral, in sel_1253 the accessory bulbs are much further apart - nearly 3/4 of one accessory bulb diameter. The spermathecae are horizontal. In sel_1249, the copulatory openings are located in a small depression, in sel_1253, there is not much of a depression, and in sel_1332, the depression more conspicuous, uterus externus and pdf quite different, the accessory bulbs are very close together, the spermathecae are horizontal, and the fertilization ducts are of a completely different shape.

Males (n = 4): In sel_1329, the AME=PME, whereas in sel_1250 and sel_1330, the PME are larger than the AME, and there is some variation in leg spination. Body length is 3.10-3.36. sel_1250 is a little paler, more orangey pink, but the pattern the same.

Etymology.

This species is named after Mark S. Harvey, friend, mentor, and person responsible for getting me into the mess of Strayan selenopids. Name in genitive case.

Distribution.

Known from along the Gibb River Road, northeastern Western Australia (Fig. 42F ), and Judbarra National Park, northwestern Northern Territory (Figs 46F , 47B ) (Map 8 ).

Natural history.

The collecting localities for this species occur in the Pentecost subregion of the Central Kimberley, the Mitchell subregion of the Northern Kimberley (but very close to a junction with subregion Pentecost from the Central Kimberley region and the Berkeley subregion of the North Kimberley), and the Victoria Bonaparte bioregion and the Keep subregion. The Pentecost subregion has a dry, hot tropical and sub-humid to semi-arid climate with summer rainfall of 750-1000 mm. The area is a savannah woodland of eucalypts and hummock grasses. These spiders were found under sandstone, and it is suggested that these sandstone communities may be areas of high diversity. There have been no systematic faunal surveys of the area, and ecological and life history data of organisms are missing.

The climate of the Mitchell subregion of the Northern Kimberley bioregion is dry, hot tropical to sub-humid with 1100-1500 mm of mostly summer rain. The area is home to many endemic vertebrates and plants, though little is known about the terrestrial arthropods. Like the Pentecost subregion of the Central Kimberley, it is thought that the sandstone communities may be highly diverse. The Berkeley subregion of the North Kimberley bioregion has a dry, hot tropical sub-humid climate with high summer rainfall ( Graham 2001g).

The third locality is the Keep subregion of the Victoria Bonaparte bioregion. The part of this bioregion in Western Australia is not divided into subregions. In the Northern Territory, this is considered the Keep subregion. Judbarra National Park is in the Victoria Basin and has many sandstone ranges. It has a tropical semi-arid climate with summer monsoons.

All specimens were collected as immatures beneath sandstone rocks during the day or on/under the rocks at dusk in the drier, cooler time of the year. The were reared in captivity, with most maturing in the wetter, hotter time of the year. Although this is a small sampling, the females matured after almost all of the adult males were dead. This could be indicative of many things - in captivity, the molting/feeding/growing does not reflect what happens in nature, there are other males that were not collected that would overlap with the females, in nature the females would live until the following season when males matured, etc. Given what we know from other studies, it is likely that there are adults all year round, and overlaps do occur at different times which is not reflected in the small sample (Suppl. material 2: tables S1, S14).

Discussion.

Given the dissimilarity of the female genitalia of specimens from the three different localities, it was assumed that they were three different species. Therefore, finding corresponding differences in the males was expected. However, there are no differences in the males, including the palps, which have been thoroughly examined and expanded. DNA data indicate that there is no mixing between the three populations, and that they may be related to a species from Timber Creek collected at Nackeroo Lookout (Figs 46D , 48B ; Suppl. material 1). Some analyses even render the Judbarra population and the Gibb populations paraphyletic (Suppl. material 1). Because there are no corroborating morphological data, these three populations are currently considered to be the same species, but with more sampling, this is likely to change. These are among the smallest Selenopidae , with the male paratype being the smallest known (3.10 mm).

Figures

Map 1. Map of Australia showing areas that are expanded in subsequent figures. CD = Central Desert group, D = Karaops dawara group, F = Karaops francesae group, K = Kimberley group, UA = species that are not assigned to a group, PG = Pilbara-Gascoyne group.

Map 8. Species that are not currently placed in a species group. Diamonds (juveniles): blue = Little Mertens, red = Ruby Plains, pink = Nackeroo Lookout; Circles: yellow = Karaops yumbubaarnji sp. nov., green = Karaops markharveyi sp. nov., purple = Karaops kennerleyorum sp. nov., blue = Karaops madhawundu sp. nov., red = Karaops mareeba sp. nov. Juveniles are treated as distinct species based on molecular data.

Figure 34. Karaops yumbubaarnji sp. nov., Cathedral Gorge Lookout, Purnululu National Park, Western Australia A live spider on sandstone B habitat, Bungle Bungles.

Figure 35. Karaops yumbubaarnji sp. nov., Cathedral Gorge Lookout, Purnululu National Park, Western Australia A holotype male (sel _ 1300, WAM T 155676) B adult female.

Figure 36. Karaops yumbubaarnji sp. nov., holotype male, Cathedral Gorge Lookout, Purnululu National Park, Western Australia (sel _ 1300, WAM T 155676) A palp, ventral, arrow indicates expanded part below B palp, retrolateral C close up of the median apophysis showing small, spine-like process. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Figure 42. Karaops mareeba sp. nov. and Karaops markharveyi sp. nov. A Karaops mareeba sp. nov., paratype female, Desailly Range, Queensland (QMS 120908) B Karaops mareeba sp. nov., holotype female, Desailly Range, Queensland (QMS 110872) C same, epigyne D Karaops markharveyi sp. nov., 4.6 km from Drysdale River Road, Gibb River Road, Western Australia, holotype female (sel _ 1249, WAM T 155625) E Karaops mareeba sp. nov., holotype female, endogyne, Desailly Range, Queensland (QMS 110872) F sandstone ridge habitat of Karaops markharveyi sp. nov. G Karaops mareeba sp. nov., holotype female, epigyne, caudal, Desailly Range, Queensland (QMS 110872). Scale bars: 0.5 mm (C, E, G); 2 mm (A, B, D).

Figure 43. Karaops markharveyi sp. nov. A paratype female, Gibb River Road, Western Australia (sel _ 1253, WAM T 155629) B paratype male, ~ 4.6 km from Drysdale River Road, Gibb River Road, Western Australia (sel _ 1250, WAM T 155626).

Figure 44. Karaops markharveyi sp. nov. A paratype male, 4.6 km from Drysdale River Road, Gibb River Road, Western Australia (sel _ 1250, WAM T 155626) B adult male, Judbarra National Park, Northern Territory (sel _ 1329, MAGNT A 004885) C holotype female, epigyne, ~ 4.6 km from Drysdale River Road, Gibb River Road, Western Australia (sel _ 1249, WAM T 155625) D same, endogyne E paratype female, epigyne, Gibb River Road, Western Australia (sel _ 1253, WAM T 155629) F same, endogyne G adult male, Judbarra National Park, Northern Territory (sel _ 1330, MAGNT A 004886) H adult female, Judbarra National Park, Northern Territory (sel _ 1332, MAGNT A 004888). Scale bars: 0.5 mm (C-F); 1 mm (B, G, H).

Figure 45. Karaops markharveyi sp. nov. from Judbarra National Park, Northern Territory A adult male (sel _ 1330, MAGNT A 004886) B adult male (sel _ 1329, MAGNT A 004885).

Figure 46. Karaops markharveyi sp. nov. and Karaops sp. A paratype male, palp, ventral, Gibb River Road, ~ 4.6 km from Drysdale River Road, Western Australia (sel _ 1250, WAM T 155626) B same, retrolateral C same, dorsal D habitat of Karaops sp., Timber Creek, Nackeroo Lookout, Northern Territory E Karaops markharveyi sp. nov., palp, dorsal, tilted forward to see chemosensory brush, Judbarra National Park, Northern Territory (sel _ 1329, MAGNT A 004885) F habitat of Karaops markharveyi sp. nov., Judbarra National Park, Northern Territory. Scale bars: 0.5 mm.

Figure 47. Karaops markharveyi sp. nov. A holotype female, Gibb River Road, ~ 4.6 km from Drysdale River Road, Western Australia (sel _ 1249, WAM T 155625) B habitat, Judbarra National Park, Northern Territory C holotype female, Gibb River Road, ~ 4.6 km from Drysdale River Road, Western Australia (sel _ 1249, WAM T 155625) D epigyne, Judbarra National Park, Northern Territory (sel _ 1332, MAGNT A 004888) E same, endogyne. Scale bar: 0.5 mm.

Figure 48. Karaops markharveyi sp. nov. and members of the Pilbara-Gascoyne species group A Karaops markharveyi sp. nov., adult male, Judbarra National Park, Northern Territory (sel _ 1329, MAGNT A 004885) B Karaops sp., Timber Creek, Nackeroo Lookout, Northern Territory. Arrow indicates setal tufts C Karaops burbidgei, paratype female, Barrow Island (WAM T 76698) D Karaops burbidgei, holotype male, Barrow Island (WAM T 55000). Scale bars: 1 mm.