Cryptachaea gigantipes ( Keyserling, 1890 ) Keyserling, 1890

Smith, Helen M., Vink, Cor J., Fitzgerald, Brian M. & Sirvid, Phil J., 2012, Redescription and generic placement of the spider Cryptachaea gigantipes (Keyserling, 1890) (Araneae: Theridiidae) and notes on related synanthropic species in Australasia, Zootaxa 3507, pp. 38-56 : 44-46

Cryptachaea gigantipes ( Keyserling, 1890) new combination

( Figs 2–15 , 17–20 , 21 )

Theridion gigantipes — Keyserling, 1890: 245 –246, pl. 22, figs 4, 4a; Hogg 1900: 73; Rainbow 1911: 158.

Type material. [ Australia: New South Wales] Head of Middle Harbour, Bradley’s collection. Not examined. We were unable to locate the type specimen of T. gigantipes ; however, Keyserling’s description and illustrations are adequate to identify the species. Most of Bradley’s collection as referred to by Keyserling and Koch is presumed lost ( Framenau 2005) and this species is not listed among the Keyserling types held by the Zoologisches Museum Hamburg ( Rack 1961), nor is it recorded in the Natural History Museum London (J. Beccaloni pers. comm.). These are the main collections holding Keyserling’s Australian specimens.

Selected other material examined. AUSTRALIA: Norfolk Island: Kingston [29°03’S 167°57’E], 15 Mar 1995, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.55576). Norfolk Island [29°05’S 168°00’E], 27 Apr 1993, H. Sampson, 1 pen. 3, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.43950). New South Wales: (no locality), Apr 1952, N.L. Roberts, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.31206). Bantry Bay, near Seaforth [33°47’S 151°14’E], 20 Dec 1981, M. Guider, 1 3 (AM KS.8521). Beecroft [33°45’S 151°04’E], 24 Jan 1993, J. Noble, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.51950); same data, 1 Nov 2000, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.70923); same data, with egg sac, 85 eggs, 15 Jan 2002, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.76852); same data, 2 Oct 2002, 1 3 (AM KS.84275); same data, 5 Feb 2003, 1 3 (AM KS.86822); same data, 10 Jan 2003, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.86825); same data, with egg sac, 149 eggs, 20 Nov 2003, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.88860); same data, with egg sac, 246 eggs, 20 Nov 2003, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.88861); same data, 22 Dec 2003, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.88869); same data, 22 Mar 2004, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.88876); same data, 1 Mar 2004, 1 3 (AM KS.88880); same data, 3 Aug 1992, 1 3 (AM KS.88903). Beecroft, Observatory Park [33°45’S 151°04’E], 12 Apr 2001, J. Noble, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.72885). Bellevue Hill, Sydney [33°53’S 151°17’E], 2 Dec 1955, D. Austin, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.68760). Blackbutt Reserve, Newcastle [32°56’07”S 151°41’26”E], 7 Aug 2011, G. Anderson, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.116466; GenBank JN859091 ). Caringbah [34°02’S 151°08’E], 20 May 1979, G. Smith, 1 3, 1 Ƥ, 1 pen. 3. (AM KS.4645). Cooleman Plains, Zed Cave CP30 [35°37’34”S 148°40’42”E], web in entrance, 29 Jan 1993, S. Eberhard, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.34997). Crommelin Research Station, Pearl Beach [33°33’S 151°18’E], inside building, 3 Mar 1984, R.A. Bradley, 1 3, 2 Ƥ, 1 juv. (AM KS.50331). Deua Nat Pk, Deua Cave DE 1 [35°49’48”S 149°40’12”E], bat guano in dark zone, 25 Feb 1993, S. Eberhard, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.34957). Deua Nat Pk, Deua Cave [35°49’48”S 149°40’12”E], 5 Apr 1986, A.P. Spate, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.16890). Epping Strip [33°46’S 151°05’E], 23 Dec 1997, J. Noble, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.51934). Georgica Creek [28°39’23”S 153°09’23”E], 18 May 2010, S. Jacobs, 1 3 (AM KS.116245). Gerringong [34°44’S 150°50’E], with egg sac 73 eggs, 30 Jan 1989, G. Wishart, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.21518). Gosford [33°26’S 151°21’E], 1975, K. Bridger, 1 3 (AM KS.35078); same data, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.35079). Goulburn [34°44’S 149°44’E], Feb 2005, S. Lamont, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.90917). Jamberoo [34°39’S 150°46’E], 28 Dec 1999, J. Noble, 1 3 (AM KS.66252). Jamberoo Mountain [34°40’S 150°43’E], 2 May 1997, J. Noble, 1 3 (AM KS.51938); same data, 2 Jan 2000, 1 3 (AM KS.65676); same data, 10 Jan 2001, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.70894); same data, 20 Apr 2002, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.79773); same data, 20 Apr 2002, 1 3 (AM KS.79774). Jenolan Caves [33°49’18”S 150°01’20”E], 5 3, 11 Ƥ, 20+ juv. (AM KS.83751). Jenolan Caves, Devils Coach House [33°49’S 150°02’E], in thick litter in flood bypass on west side, 13 Dec 1987, G. Smith & L. Wheeler, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.19038). Kemps Creek [33°53’S 150°47’E], Jul 1977, D. Hart, 1 3 (AM KS.791). Macquarie University, North Ryde [33°46’S 151°07’E], 8 Oct 2009, A. Wignall, 1 3 (AM KS.109778); same data, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.109779). Minnamurra Falls Reserve [34°38’S 150°44’E], under rock ledge, 20 Apr 1982, C. Horseman, 4 Ƥ (AM KS.9018). Mt Colah [33°40’S 151°07’E], 10 Mar 1971, M.R. Gray, 1 3, 1 Ƥ (AM KS. 112621). Mount Colah, Heaney Close [33°39’45”S 151°07’11”E], 15 Jan 2010, G.A. Milledge, H.M. Smith, 1 3, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.113937); same data, 6 Jan 2011, G.A. Milledge, 1 3 (AM KS.114249); same data, 30 Apr 2011, H.M. Smith, 1 Ƥ ( MONZ AS.002645; GenBank JN859092 ); same data, 11 Apr 2011, H.M. Smith, 1 3 ( MONZ AS.002646; GenBank JN859093 ). Narraweena [33°45’S 151°16’E], 30 Jan 2000, G. Smith, 2 Ƥ (AM KS.65022). Newnes State Forest, Birds Rock Flora Reserve, 0.6km from Sunnyside Ridge Rd [33°19’43”S 150°11’33”E], 23 Feb 2006, G.A. Milledge, J. Tarnawski, M. Beatson, 1 3, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.94509). Near Crommelin Research Stn, Pearl Beach [33°33’S 151°18’E], 31 Mar 1984, R.A. Bradley, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.50329). Orange [33°17’S 149°06’E], 20 Apr 2002, J. Noble, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.79780); same data, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.79781). Pebbly Beach Campsite [35°37’S 150°19’E], 26 Jan 1997, H. Smith, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.97231). Rydalmere [33°48’54”S 151°02’06”E], 7 Mar 1966, R.E. Mascord, 1 3 (AM KS.115200). Ryde [33°49’S 151°06’E], 17 Mar 1993, E. Pearce, 2 3 (AM KS.34923). ‘Scalloway’, Gerringong [34°44’S 150°47’E], 27 Dec 1986, G. Wishart, 3 (AM KS.17425); same data, 2 Nov 1986, 1 3 (AM KS.17426). St Georges Basin [35°05’S 150°35’E], Jan 1984, I. Buddle, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.22666). Sydney [33°52’S 151°13’E], plus young, 27 Oct 1981, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.16730). Terrey Hills [33°41’S 151°14’E], 1971, M. Gray, 1 3, 1 Ƥ (AM KS. 112620); same data, 3 Sep 1971, 1 Ƥ (AM KS. 112622); same data, eating female Badumna , 2 Jun 1971, 1 Ƥ (AM KS. 112616). Thornleigh [33°44’S 151°04’E], 2 Feb 2000, G. Smith, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.65015). Willoughby [33°48’S 151°12’E], Apr 1994, W. Cashman, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.40614). Wombeyan Caves, Grant's Cave [34°18’41”S 149°57’55”E], on wall, 15 Sep 1979, G. Smith, 1 Ƥ, 3 juv. (AM KS.19058); same data, W137, entrance zone, 12 Mar 1993, S. Eberhard, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.35016). Yarrangobilly, Jillaberan Cave [35°43’30”S 148°29’09”E], 2 Oct 1986, A.P. Spate, 1 3 (AM KS.16891). Yarrangobilly, North Glory Cave Y25-3 [35°43’30”S 148°29’09”E], space web, entrance zone, 16 Jun 1993, S. Eberhard, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.37472). Yarrangobilly Caves, Glory Cave Y24 [35°43’30”S 148°29’09”E], near twilight zone, 18 Jan 1989, A. Clarke, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.31795). Yesabah Bat Cave, YBC1, nr Kempsey [31°05’S 152°43'E], 18 Jul 1971, M. Gray, 1 3, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.115201). Queensland: Elanora [27°08’S 153°27’E], Isbister bite study specimen, 11 Jan 2001, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.116847). Tambourine Mountain [27°56’19”S 153°10’47”E], 23 Oct 2010, G. Anderson, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.116467; GenBank JN859090 ). Tasmania: Prospect [41°28’S 147°08’E], 8 Sep 2010, J. Douglas, 4 Ƥ, 2 jj (AM KS.113968); same data 1 Ƥ ( MONZ AS.002648; GenBank JN859096 ). Victoria: Gardiners Creek Reserve, Box Hill Sth [37°50’34”S 145°07’12”E], 26 Dec 2010, G.A. Milledge, H.M. Smith, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.114272); same data 1 Ƥ ( MONZ AS.002647; GenBank JN859095 ). Ruffey Lake Park, Doncaster [37°46’30”S 145°08’21”E], 17 May 2011, G. Anderson, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.116465); same data, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.116468); same data, 1 Ƥ (AM KS.116469; GenBank JN859094 ). NEW ZEALAND: Auckland: Auckland [36°51’21”S 174°45’42”E], ex lift well, 11 Apr 2011, 1 Ƥ ( NZAC). Avondale [36°53.4’S 174°41.0’E], on building, Feb 2009, G. Hall, 1 Ƥ ( LUNZ 00012664; GenBank JN859099 ). Henderson [36°51.1’S 174°37.7’E], outside wall of house, 27 Feb 2000, B.M. Fitzgerald, 1 3, 1 Ƥ ( MONZ AS.002389). New Zealand Arthropod Collection, Saint Johns [36°53.0’S 174°50.9’E], on building, Feb 2009, G. Hall, 1 subadult Ƥ ( LUNZ 00012663; GenBank JN859098 ). Taupaki [36°49.2’S 174°34.1’E], in front porch, 13 Jul 2003, O.R. Green, 2 penultimate 3 ( MONZ AS.002393); same data, 1 immature ( MONZ AS.002394); same data, 4 Ƥ ( MONZ AS.002395); same data, 1 Ƥ + spiderlings, 2 Ƥ ( MONZ AS.002396). Bay of Plenty: near Whakatane [37°59’S 176°54’E], 30 Jul 2011, L.H. Ranson, 1 Ƥ ( LUNZ 00012666). Tauranga [37°41.2’S 176°07.8’E], in house, 21 May 2002, S. Pearson, 1 3 (MPI 03/2003/1576). Coromandel: Cooks Beach [36°50.3’S 175°44.5’E], under verandah, 18 Nov 2003, B.M. Fitzgerald, 2 Ƥ ( MONZ AS.002390). Tairua [37°00.5’S 175°50.9’E], outside wall of house, 24 Feb 2002, B.M. Fitzgerald, 1 3, 1 Ƥ ( MONZ AS.002391). Hawkes Bay: Napier [39°28.5’S 176°52.8’E], on door, 20 Mar 2007, J. Graham, 1 Ƥ (MPI 03/2007/757). Northland: Whangarei [35°45.71’S 174°21.51’E], 1 Aug 2008, O.J.-P. Ball, 1 Ƥ ( MONZ AS.002649; GenBank JN859097 ). Waikato: Hamilton [37°45.4’S 175°16.7’E], in house, 7 Feb 2006, A. Cressy, 2 Ƥ (MPI 03/2006/391). Near Eureka [37°43.3’S 175°26.2’E], Nov 2005, 1 Ƥ (MPI 3/05/2871). Norrie Ave, Raglan [37°48.3’S 174°52.1’E], outside wall of house, plus egg sac, Aug 2003, L.H. Ranson, 3 Ƥ ( MONZ AS.002392). Raglan [37°48.1’S 174°53.41’E], 14 Jun 2011, L.H. Ranson, 1 Ƥ ( LUNZ 00012665). Wanganui: Feilding [40°13’S 175°35’E], in bathroom, 13 Nov 2005, L. Fuller, 1 Ƥ (MPI 3/05/2905). Wellington: Raukawa St, Stokes Valley [41°11.2’S, 174°58.77’E], in car, 4 Feb 2012, B.M. Fitzgerald, 1 Ƥ ( MONZ AS.002480).

Diagnosis. The legs of C. gigantipes are far longer than those of related species currently known from Australia or New Zealand: the femur and tibia of leg I are each longer than (male) or subequal to (female) the total body length ( Figs 2, 5 ). Male, pedipalp tibia elongate and subequal to cymbium length ( Fig. 11 ; half or a third as long in C. veruculata ( Fig. 16 ) and C. blattea , respectively). Epigynum with a pair of heavily sclerotised, peg-like protrusions that form a deep U-shape in posterior view ( Fig. 19 ); the shape of these protrusions distinguishes the species from C. veruculata in which the protrusions are smaller and more horn-shaped. For comparison with C. veruculata and C. blattea refer to Merrett & Rowe (1961: figs. 1–7); Dondale (1966: figs 1B–E); Vink et al. (2009: figs 1–6); Paquin et al. (2010: figs 34.7–8, 34.13–14).

Figures

FIGURE 21. Map of locations from which Cryptachaea gigantipes (Keyserling, 1890) were examined. Black circles are locations of specimens examined for morphology and white circles are specimens sampled for molecular analyses. The historical record of Hogg (1900) from Macedon, Victoria, is shown as a black square.

FIGURES 2 – 5. Cryptachaea gigantipes (Keyserling, 1890). 2. Habitus of male (St. Peters, Sydney); 3. Female guarding emerging spiderlings (Coburg, Melbourne); 4. Female with egg sac 27 Sept 2011 (Coburg, Melbourne); 5. Same female, 13 November; spiderlings emerged from first egg sac are nearby in female’s web, a recently completed egg sac hangs behind remains of first. Photos 3 – 5 by Wendy Moore, used with permission.

FIGURES 6 – 10. Cryptachaea gigantipes (Keyserling, 1890). 6. Male caput and chelicerae, anterolateral; 7. Male left pedipalp, prolateral, showing cymbial hood; 8. Female eyes and chelicerae, frontal; 9. Male mouthparts and sternum, ventral; 10. Female, ditto. Scale bars, Fig. 7 = 0.1 mm, others = 0.5 mm. Abbreviation: Hd, cymbial hood.

FIGURES 11 – 16. Male genitalia of Cryptachaea species. 11 – 13. Cryptachaea gigantipes (Keyserling, 1890), left pedipalp in prolateral, ventral and retrolateral views; 14. Ditto, expanded, prolateral; 15. Ditto, median apophysis and embolus, proapical view; 16. Cryptachaea veruculata (Urquhart, 1886), left pedipalp expanded, prolateral. Scale bars = 0.2 mm. Abbreviations: C, conductor; Cy, cymbium; E, embolus; L, lobe; MA, median apophysis; MS, MA sclerotised process; Po, pouch in conductor; ST, subtegulum; T, tegulum; Tb, trichobothria; TO, tarsal organ.

FIGURES 17 – 20. Cryptachaea gigantipes (Keyserling, 1890), female genitalia. 17. Ventral view; 18. Lateral view; 19. Posterior view, entry point of copulatory duct indicated, note entry on other side appears to be blocked by hardened bead of exudate; 20. Dorsal view (internal genitalia). Scale bars = 0.2 mm. Abbreviations: CD, copulatory duct; FD, fertilisation duct; S, spermatheca.