Diaprograpta alfredgodfreyi, 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 : 10-11

Diaprograpta alfredgodfreyi sp. nov.

( Figs 4 a–d, 25a)

Material examined. Holotype. Male, 13.6 km NW Lascelles, 35°33'S 142°28'E, Victoria, May 1986, A. L. Yen ( NMV K4794), drift fence, site 41.

Diagnosis. The male differs from that of D. hirsti sp. nov. in the narrowly folded median apophysis ( Fig. 4 a), a less extensive comb on the retrolateral cymbium and the unequally bifurcate tip of the RTA and from D. striola in the weaker markings dorsally on the abdomen.

Etymology. In honour of Alfred Lewis Godfrey (1903–2001), inaugural Secretary of the Conservation Council of Victoria, in recognition of his contributions to the environment.

Description. Male (holotype NMV K4794)

Carapace 2.47 long, 1.97 wide. Abdomen 3.50 long, 1.63 wide. Total length, 6. Like D. striola except: Colour. Carapace fawn with light brown shadows from each PLE to posterior carapace edge; 3 or 4 small black areas along margins of carapace; legs not banded. Abdomen dorsally pallid with small dark areas weakly forming two long medial stripes joining just past midpoint, and weaker still two stripes lateral of that; ventrally pallid with black spots forming no pattern. A small stripe down each chelicera for dorsal half. Carapace. Laterally ruptured. Bristle bases only evident dorsally. Eyes. PLE=ALE>PME>>AME. Chelicerae. Dentition: 2R, 3P. Legs. 1: 2.09, 1.00, 2.09, 1.88, 1.28, 8.34. 2: 2.03, 0.94, 1.91, 1.91, 1.16, 7.82. 3: 2.06, 0.88, 1.66, 1.63, 0.94, 7.17. 4: 2.88, 0.97, 2.50, 2.97, 1.16, 10.48. Palp: 0.81, 0.31, 0.31, 0.97, 2.40. Spines. I: fe pv1p1d3r2; pa0; ti p2d1r 2v 2.2.2; me p1r 1v 2.2. II: fe pv1p2d3r3; pa0; ti p2d2r 2v 2.2.2; me p2r 1v 2.2. III: fe pv1p2d3r3; pa0; ti p2d2.1r 2v 2.2.2; me p1.2.1r1.2.1v2.2.1. IV: fe pv1p2d3r2; pa0; ti p2d2.1r 2v 2.2.2; me p1.2.2r2.1.1.2v2.2.1. Palp: fe p1d1.1.2r2; pa p1.1d1 apical; ti p1d 1 v 2 apical. Scopula . Long hairs thin but distinct for distal two-thirds of metatarsi I, half of metatarsi II–IV. Long hairs, moderately dense, entire on tarsi I–IV. Claw tufts small, dense, division evident in axial view, as high as claws. Spinnerets. ALS = PLS length but ALS thicker. PLS with slightly longer apical segment. Palp ( Fig. 4 ). Patella squat, dorsal projection a sclerotised thumb, opposed to sclerotised black dorsal tibial edge. Tibia barrel-shaped, with large RTA; two sclerotised outer plates "sandwich" unsclerotised mid-zone. RTA ( Figs 4 c, d) a deeply hollowed, semicircular scoop: ventral edge a sharp sclerotised ridge; dorsal edge a thin scooped lamella and then distally a long, narrow, pointed groove forms outer corner of RTA. Cymbium narrow, canoe-like with weak apical scopula and fine erect bristles; retrolateral cymbium excavate with long groove and distal lobular process; groove is thick ridge and length of groove retromargin with dense line of short black bristles as comb; promargin of cymbium with long dense pallid hairs. Bulb. Embolus origin long, ovoid, almost transverse; recurves back from retrobasal corner and tapers quickly to wire-like embolus emerging in long banana-like upcurved grooved conductor. Median apophysis long, twisted with unsclerotised retrodistal edge and apically a scooped diamond; long thick spine-like accessory process emerges adjacent to retrobasal median apophysis; no other division evident. Conductor a long, narrow, upcurved scoop with ventral face sclerotised and sweeping up into gap created by distal lobe of cymbial flange.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution and Habitat ( Fig. 25 a). Known only from mallee in western Victoria.

Figures

FIGURE 4. Diaprograpta alfredgodfreyi sp. nov., holotype male, palpal tibia, cymbium and bulb: a, b, bulb, ventral views; c, tibia and cymbium, retrolateral view; d, RTA, retroventral view.

FIGURE 25. Distribution records of Miturgidae in Australia: a, Diaprograpta, Eupograpta, Mitzoruga and Nuliodon; b, all records of Miturgidae for Australia.