Mitzoruga, Raven, Robert J., 2009

Raven, Robert J., 2009, Revisions of Australian ground-hunting spiders: IV. The spider subfamily Diaprograptinae subfam. nov. (Araneomorphae: Miturgidae), Zootaxa 2035, pp. 1-40 : 21-22

Mitzoruga gen. nov.

Type species. Mitzoruga elapines sp. nov.

Diagnosis. Males differ from those of Eupograpta in the short deeply bifid RTA ( Fig. 14 e) and females by the epigyne having two lobes beside a median septum ( Fig. 16 a). They differ from those of Nuliodon gen. nov.

in the slender form of the median apophysis with its long axis in the same line as the long axis of the embolus origin ( Fig. 17 a); tips of the RTA elongate, bifid ( Fig. 14 e); extensive comb of spine-like bristles along the retrolateral cymbial groove ( Fig. 15 b). Also, unlike Nuliodon gen. nov., the carapace is marked either with stripes ( Fig 14 g) or a dark submarginal bar.

Description. 8 eyes in 2 rows, both rows clearly recurved ( Fig. 14 a); eyes of similar size but lateral eyes larger than medians. Claw tufts dense and similar on I–IV; scopula dense on tarsi I–IV and metatarsi I, II, distal, weaker and divided on III; absent on leg IV and tibiae. Ventral spines on tibiae and metatarsi I, II, weak, not paired, similar in male and female. Trochanters with wide, shallow asymmetrical notches. Maxillae ( Fig. 14 h) short, basally truncate, ectal edge slightly indented basally, rounded ectal apex with long serrula, ental edges form rounded apex; shallow, glabrous, diagonal groove basally. Labium longer than wide with indistinct submarginal grooves. Chelicerae small, unmodified, fang short; dentition 2R, 3P. Weak proventral spines on femora I, II. Tarsi III, IV bowed in lateral view. Male palp. Tibia short with large RTA with 2 similar apices joined by unsclerotised trough ( Fig 14 e). Cymbium short, wide, apical cone pointed, with dense ridge of short blunt thick recurved setae apically ( Fig. 17 e); no dorsal scopula ; retrolateral groove shallow and with strong comb of short curved spines on margin. Tegulum n-shaped, arising centrally; slender to wide median apophysis with apical sclerotised hook; small conical conductor behind median apophysis. Embolus origin broad, separate from median apophysis, on retrobasal corner tapers quickly to wire and proapically is cradled by low, pallid, conical conductor. Six spinnerets: ALS coniform, clearly separated by about half diameter at base; apical segment short conical, large spigots not evident. PMS and longer; PLS cylindrical, slightly longer than ALS; no large spigots evident; all apical segments short, coniform. Colulus is a small, hirsute triangular area. Tracheal spiracle near spinnerets. Epigyne a broad median scape flanked by large low lateral lobes. Pattern: carapace yellow brown with slightly darker medial zone and margins, boundary enhanced by long dark hairs, often with longitudinal stripes; abdomen dorsally pallid, anteriorly with one dark central and two short dark paramedial bands breaking into four chevrons forming diamond-shaped pale zone centrally; ventrally pallid with light irregular dark mottling around edges. Legs yellow brown with dark wide rings on tibiae and metatarsi.

Etymology. A contraction of Miturga and Zora ; the gender is feminine.

Distribution, habitat and biology. Known from southwestern Western Australia, South Australia, western New South Wales, northeastern Queensland, and the Northern Territory. Most material used here was taken by allowing a 4-wheel-drive diesel vehicle to idle and collecting the spiders attracted by the vibration. WAM98/ 1700–1733 so collected included 29 juveniles and 5 females of M. insularis sp. nov.

Included species. Mitzoruga elapines sp. nov., Mitzoruga insularis sp. nov., Zora marmorea Hogg, 1896 .

Figures

FIGURE 14. Mitzoruga elapines sp. nov., male: a, carapace, dorsal view; inset shows grate-shaped tapetum of PME of WAM 98 / 1693; b, palpal tibia and bulb, ventral view; c, tips of enlarged cymbial setae; d, shafts of enlarged cymbial setae; e, palpal tibia and bulb, retrolateral view; f, coxae III, IV, showing " thorns ", ventral view; g, abdomen, dorsal view; h, sternum, maxillae and coxae, ventral view; I, claws and claw tufts; j, patella and tibia I, prolateral view, showing long bristles apically and distally on patella. Scale line: 2 mm for a, g (same scale); 0.5 mm for b, e (same scale); 2 mm for h, 1 mm for f, j.

FIGURE 15. Mitzoruga elapines sp. nov., palpal tibia and cymbium, scanning electron micrographs: a, bulb, ventral view; b, cymbium and tibia, retrolateral view; c, RTA, retrolateral view; d, median apophysis, ventral view.

FIGURE 16. Mitzoruga elapines sp. nov., female WAM 98 / 1697: a, b. epigyne, external (a) and internal (b) views.

FIGURE 17. Mitzoruga insularis sp. nov., male and female: a – d, male palpal tibia and cymbium, scanning electron micrographs, ventral view (a), cymbium and tibia ventral view (b), RTA tip, ventral view (c), bulb close-up, retrolateral view (d); e, female spermathecae, dorsal view; f, female tarsus I, showing claw tufts and trichobothria; g, female, dorsal view. Scale lines: f as for d, 2 mm for g.