Misgolas tarnawskiae, Wishart & Rowell, 2008

Wishart, Graham & Rowell, David M., 2008, Trapdoor Spiders of the Genus Misgolas (Mygalomorphae: Idiopidae) from Eastern New South Wales, With Notes on Genetic Variation, Records of the Australian Museum 60 (1), pp. 45-86 : 51-52

Misgolas tarnawskiae n.sp.

Figs 3A–H , 24A

Type material. HOLOTYPE?, AM KS92879 , 21 Carmona Drive, Cape Hawke, nr Forster (32°12'59"S 152°33'02"E), 1 Mar. 2006, Ken Watson, recovered from in-ground pool . PARATYPE?: AM KS92878 , 20 Mar. 2006 , other details as for holotype AM KS92879 .

Diagnosis. In male: large brown spider, carapace length c. 8–9, retrodorsal surface metatarsi IV without spines; venter pattern as figured ( Fig. 3H ), proximal limb segments inclusive of patella dark brown; remaining limb segments progressively lighter ( Fig. 3D–G ). Row of small retroventral spines adjacent to scopula of tarsi II ( Fig. 3G ), proventral and retroventral rows absent on tarsi I and proventral row absent on tarsi II ( Fig. 3D–F ). Cluster of c. 5–8 retrolateral spines adjacent to distal edge of metatarsi II ( Fig. 3G ), nil or few spines near distal prolateral edge metatarsi II and distal lateral edges metatarsi I ( Fig. 3D–F ). Palpal bulb ( Fig. 3B,C ) embolic flange with 4 prominent folds and c. 3–5 minor folds; embolus tip sinuous from dorsal aspect, appears swollen from lateral aspect by small thin ventral apophysis-like flange suspended from proximal edge of tip swelling ( Fig. 3C ); embolic dorsal apophysis placed remote from swollen tip ( Fig. 3C ). Conformation of palp as figured ( Fig. 3A ). Female not known.

Description

Male holotype ( Fig. 3A–H ). Size. Carapace length 8.43, width 6.66. Abdomen length 7.94, width 5.39. Colour. In alcohol chelicerae, carapace, dorsal abdomen and proximal limb segments inclusive of patella dark brown. Remaining limb segments progressively lighter; dark brown smudges absent. Abdomen dorsum with 6 pallid transverse chevrons. Venter pallid with dark brown maculations most dense as central transverse band and median band extending from epigastric furrow to the transverse band. Carapace. Edge fringed with black bristles that encroach onto posterior half of post foveal surface. Setae with gold sheen sparse, most concentrated along stria anterior borders. Row of 12 seta/ bristle sockets on caput arch; 11 dark brown bristles between PME; 12 bristles and c. 10 weak pallid bristles on clypeus. Setae absent on weakly chitinous area extending onto pleuron membrane below clypeus. Fovea width 1.79, straight with recurved edges; posterior wall centrally divided by minute pitted intrusion. Eyes. Placed on mound; area immediately adjacent to eyes black. Anterior width 1.36, posterior width 1.33, length 0.79, width/length ratio 1.72. Line joining posterior edges of ALE bisects AME. Posterior row slightly recurved in front, recurved behind. Chelicerae. Rastellum first row 7(6) spines, second row 6(7). Fang groove with 9(9) large promarginal teeth and 19(19) small retromarginal/ intermediate row teeth. Intercheliceral tumescence raised, pallid with cover of prostrate dark setae. Labium. Bulbous, length 0.92, width 1.36. Labio-sternal suture broad, continuous. Maxillae c. 44(46) short, spindle shaped anteroental cuspules, one surmounted by a fine hair. Sternum. Length 4.51, width 3.36.Anterior and mid pair sigilla small, round, c. their own diameter from margin; posterior pair larger, ovate, c. their own length from margin. Legs. Tibia I with distal bifid apophysis; distal process with 2(2) short pointed spines, proximal process with 3(3) longer pointed spines.

palp I II III IV femur 4.48 7.31 6.63 5.53 7.25 patella 2.15 3.87 3.62 2.89 3.75 tibia 4.05 4.97 4.54 3.13 6.20 metatarsus — 5.10 4.67 4.18 6.08 tarsus 2.03 2.89 2.76 2.58 3.13 total 12.71 24.14 22.22 18.31 26.41

Palp ( Fig. 3A ). Cymbium with c. 46 long, skewer-like, dark brown spines inclined forward c. 45° to cymbium axis, distributed on distal half of d surface. RTA digitate, not swollen; covered with d and rd short pointed spines which continue uninterrupted along rv edge of tibial excavation; c. 13 longer curved attenuate spines suspended from straight DTA. TEM pallid, adjacent to RTA. TET distinct on anterior and pl sides of TEM. Bulb ( Fig. 3B,C ). Embolic rl flange with 4 long folds and c. 3–5 minor folds; margin gently convexly curved. Embolus tip sinuous from d aspect, appears swollen from lateral aspect by small, thin apophysis-like flange is suspended from proximal edge of tip swelling; minute embolic d apophysis placed remote from swollen tip.

Scopula. Complete on tarsi I and II; incomplete on metatarsi I, weak and incomplete on metatarsi II; absent on legs III and IV. Trichobothria. Palp: tarsi 8, tibia pd 6, rd 6. Leg I: tarsi 12, metatarsi 14, tibia pd 7, rd 7. Leg II: tarsi 11, metatarsi 13, tibia pd 7, rd 6. Leg III: tarsi 11, metatarsi 9, tibia pd 6, rd 6. Leg IV: tarsi 11, metatarsi 12, tibia pd 7, rd 7. Leg spination. Leg I ( Fig. 3D,E ): metatarsi v 02, rv 111101, pl 010; tibia v 010112. Leg II ( Fig. 3F,G ): tarsi rv row of 11 small spines adjacent to scopula; metatarsi v 01111, pv 011, rv 011111, rl distal cluster of 8, pd 010; tibia v 0111112, pl 01, pd 0010. Leg III: tarsi v c. 56; metatarsi v c. 17, pd 012220, rd 000111; tibia v 0113, pd 0110, rd 00110; patella pd 9. Leg IV: tarsi v c. 42; metatarsi v 17; tibia v 021102. Abdomen. Dorsum with cover of long brown erect bristles; understory of fine hairs which continue bilaterally extending over venter; venter densely covered with prostrate brown bristles.

Remarks. The species may be confused with M. mudfordae n.sp. and M. thompsonae n.sp. but is separable from them by reference to conformation of RTA, absence of bilateral spine clusters on metatarsus I and spines absent on tarsi I.

Etymology. The species is named in recognition of Jaynia Tarnawski, technical officer, Australian Museum, Sydney.

Distribution and natural history. ( Fig. 24A ) This species is known only from the type locality, Cape Hawke near Forster, N.S.W. and is sympatric with M. watsonorum n.sp. The burrow is unknown.

Figures

Fig. 3. Misgolas tarnawskiae n.sp. A–H?, holotype AM KS92879: (A), right palp retrolateral. (B,C), right bulb: B, dorsal; C, prolateral. (D,E), right leg I: D, prolateral; E, retrolateral. (F,G), right leg II: F, prolateral; G, retrolateral. (H), venter.

Fig. 24. A–D. Distribution of Misgolas species in the New South Wales Central Coast (eastern Australia) based on material examined (Inset [Fig. 24A] with catchment area).