Misgolas dereki Wishart, 1992

Wishart, Graham, 2011, Trapdoor Spiders of the Genus Misgolas (Mygalomorphae: Idiopidae) in the Illawarra and South Coast Regions of New South Wales, Australia, Records of the Australian Museum 63 (1), pp. 33-51 : 35-36

Misgolas dereki Wishart, 1992

Figs 1A–O , 14B

Misgolas dereki Wishart, 1992: 266–269 .

Material examined. NEW SOUTH WALES: holotype ♂, AMS KS22326, “Scalloway”, Willow Vale, nr Gerringong , NSW (34°44'11"S 150°47'23"E), 17 Oct. 1985, GW. Allotype ♀, AMS KS22327, 13 Jan. 1986, other details as for AMS KS22326.

The following material, also from New South Wales, also examined: ♂♂ AMS KS3644, Mt Keira Scout Camp, Wollongong (34°24'S 150°51'E), 14 Mar. 1979, M Gray & C Horseman. AMS KS30875, Dapto, NSW (34°30' S 150°47'E), 24 Mar. 1992.AMS KS38618, “Lightwood Park” Williams Rd, Jamberoo, NSW (34°36'46"S 150°47'27"E), 4 Apr. 1988, S Meredith. AMS KS38619, 30 Apr. 1988, other details as for AMS KS38618. AMS KS48700, Wiarborough nr Taralga, NSW (34°12'S 149°54'E), 15 Apr. 1968, G. Cosgrove. AMS KS92890, 30 Apr.1988, other details as for AMS KS38618.AMS KS92891, 30 Apr. 1988, other details as for AMS KS38618. AMS KS92892, 4 Apr. 1988, other details as for AMS KS38618 .

Diagnosis. Specimens located south of approximately latitude 34°38'S, includes type locality: in male & female: medium sized brown spiders, retrodorsal surface of metatarsi IV with spines ( Fig. 1F ). Venter pallid with sparse, scattered dark brown speckles distant from spinneret region ( Fig. 1D,G ). In female: carapace length c. 7.7–11.5. In male: carapace length c. 6.0–8.1. Embolus of bulb with small, dorsal, thorn-like apophysis placed about mid-way; retrolateral flange with three prominent folds, edge markedly curved ( Fig. 1B,C ). Conformation of palp and spination of cymbium as figured ( Fig. 1A,E ). Specimens found north of latitude 34°38'S: venter pallid with range of densities of dark brown speckles varying from pallid to entirely dark brown often adjacent to spinneret region ( Fig. 1H–L ) .

Remarks. Northwards from about a line represented by latitude 34°38'S some male specimens, though determined to be M. dereki , exhibit variable venter patterns and rarely, four, rather than three, prominent folds on the retrolateral embolic flange of the male bulb. A consistent unifying character is the retrolateral embolic flange appearing inflated sail-like; edge markedly curved and with prominent folds.

The wandering times of mature male M. dereki spiders from the type locality Wishart (1993) found almost all were collected during April to June of each year. This correlates approximately to the February-June period for the, albeit undisciplined, collection of 68 specimens from areas not included in the type locality, in particular the region north of latitude 34°38'S.

Typifying the variations of the venter pattern ( Fig. 1H–L ) are five male spiders all collected from the same in-ground home swimming pool during April, 1988. Consistent conformation of the palps and bulbs in these specimens supports these spiders being conspecific with M. dereki , yet the venter patterns are variable. It appears that there is a southern group within the species M. dereki whch exhibit consistent venter patterns and a northern group with inconsistent venter patterns. This is accepted as a natural genetic variation within this species which is fixed in most other Misgolas species.

Distribution and natural history. ( Figs 1M–O , 14B ) This spider has been collected northwards from the Shoalhaven River to Mount Keira nr Wollongong and westwards to Wiarborough (34°12'S 149°54'E) nr Taralga. Burrow entrance collar-like, level with ground ( Fig. 1M–O ). Subterranean structure about 25 cm deep, lined with fragile silk tube terminating at soft but strong, 3.5 cm long sock in which spider, sometimes with spiderlings, is often found ( Wishart, 1992). Male spider wandering times most often during April-June each year ( Wishart, 1993).

Figures

Fig. 1. Misgolas dereki. (A–E) ♂, holotype AMS KS22326: (A) right palp retrolateral. (B,C) right bulb: (B) dorsal, (C) prolateral. (D) venter. (E) right cymbium dorsal. (F) ♀, allotype AMS KS22327, right leg IV retrolateral. (G) ♀, paratypeAMS KS22345, venter. (H–L) ♂ venter: (H) AMS KS92891, (I) AMS KS92890, (J) AMS KS38819, (K) AMS KS38618, (L) AMS KS92892. (M–O) burrow entrance at type locality 16 Oct 1988: (M) spider in foraging position, (N) burrow lip/collar open, (O) burrow lip/collar closed.

Fig. 14 A–C. Distribution of Misgolas species in the New South Wales Illawarra and South Coast (easternAustralia) based on material examined. (Inset [Fig. 14A] with catchment area). (A) * M. gracilis, • M. rowelli,  M. rapax,  M. phippsi, Ƃ M. kampenae,  M. elegans. (B) Ƃ M. dereki,  M. robertsi,  M. horsemanae,  M. shawi. (C) Ƃ M. tannerae, • M. gwennethae, A M. kirstiae,  M. paulaskewi.