Leviana folium, Framenau & Kuntner, 2022

Framenau, Volker W. & Kuntner, Matjaz, 2022, The new Australian leaf-curling orb-weaving spider genus Leviana (Araneae, Araneidae), Evolutionary Systematics 6 (2), pp. 103-133 : 103

Leviana folium sp. nov.

Figs 2A-D , 3A-F , 12A-D , 13A-F , 14

Type material.

Holotype male, Kroombit Tops (Dawes Range), 45 km SSW Calliope (24°22'S, 151°01'E, Queensland, Australia), 9-19 December 1983, open forest, V.E. Davies, J. Gallon (QM S111932).

Etymology.

The specific epithet is a Latin noun in apposition (Latin folium - leaf) in reference to the leaf-curling behaviour of this species.

Other material examined.

Australia: New South Wales: 1 female, Beecroft , 33°45'S, 151°04'E (AM KS.57108) ; 1 female, same locality (AM KS.56731) ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.56735) ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.76793) ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.76790) ; 1 female, same locality (AM KS.76775) ; 1 female, same locality (AM KS.76791) ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.84273) ; 1 female, same locality (AM KS.66206) ; 1 female, same locality (AM KS.76880) ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.54443) ; 1 male, Beecroft Reserve , 33°45'S, 151°04'E (AM KS.58719) ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.51590) ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.53871) ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.56928) ; 1 female, same locality (AM KS.56925) ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.54423) ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.51237) ; 1 male, Bellangry State Forest, Wilson River Flora Reserve , 31°18'S, 152°29'E (AM KS.9732) ; 1 female, Blackbutt Forest , 34°33'S, 150°51'E (QM S39730 ) ; 1 female, Blue Mountains, Megalong Valley , 33°39'24"S, 150°16'25"E (NHMD) ; 1 male, Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve , 28°32'S, 153°33'E (AM KS.9574) ; 1 female, 1 juv., Bruxner Park, via Coffs Harbour , 30°14'S, 153°06'E (QM) ; 1 male, Byles Creek, Cheltenham , 33°45'S, 151°05'E (AM KS.53456) ; 1 male, Hornsby, Waitara Creek , 33°42'52"S, 151°05'22"E (AM KS.79674) ; 1 male, Jamberoo Mountain , 34°40'S, 150°43'E (AM KS.58657) ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.56748) ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.58704) ; 1 female, same locality (AM KS.70910) ; 1 male, 1 female, Jamieson Park , 33°43'S, 151°18'E (AM KS.131101) ; 2 males, 1 female, 1 juv., Lindfield , 33°47'S, 151°10'E (AM KS.100356) ; 5 females, Minnamurra Falls , 34°38'S, 150°44'E (AM KS.78407) ; 1 female, Newport, 25km N Sydney , 33°39'07"S, 151°18'50"E (NHMD 12194) ; 1 female, Pennant Hills , 33°44'S, 151°04'E (AM KS.58714) ; 1 female, Stotts Island , 28°14'S, 153°31'E (QM S56814 ) ; 2 males, Terrigal, Wamberal Lagoon , 33°25'S, 151°27'E (AM KS.32169). Queensland : 1 male, Atherton Tableland, Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat, 12.4 km ENE Malanda, 17°18'51"S, 145°42'9"E (NHMD) ; 1 male, same locality (NHMD 12203) ; 3 females, Bakers Blue Mountain , 17 km W Mt Molloy, 16°42'S, 145°10'E (QM S34081 ) ; 1 female, Binna Burra, Lamington National Park , 28°12'S, 153°11'E (QM S39724 ) ; 1 female, Boombana National Park , 27°24'S, 152°47'E (QM S54579 ) ; 1 male, Broken River, Eungella , 19°28'S, 144°45'E (QM S47125 ) ; 1 female, Brooyar, Wrattens Camp Road , 26°9'S, 152°31'E (QM S39771 ) ; 3 females, 1 juv., Cooloola State Forest , 26°12'S, 153°03'E (QM S33410 ) ; 1 male, 1 female, Cooloola , 26°12'S, 153°03'E (QM S33499 ) ; 1 female, Eungella National Park , 21°10'S, 148°30'E (QM S69648 ) ; 1 male, Eungella National Park, Clark Ranges , 20°35'S, 148°15'E (QM S49159 ) ; 1 male, Fraser Island , 25°33'S, 152°59'E (AM KS.32982) ; 1 male, Hann Tableland , northern end, 16°49'S, 145°11'E (QM S116634) ; 2 males, 1 female, same locality (QM S116637) ; 1 male, same locality (QM S40539 ) ; 1 male, 1 female, Kirrama Range, Douglas Creek Road, 18°12'S, 145°45'E (QM) ; 1 female, Kondalilla National Park , 26°40'S, 152°52'E (QM S39764 ) ; 10 females, Kroombit Tops , 24°22'S, 151°01'E (QM) ; 6 females, same locality (QM S116636) ; 1 female, same locality (QM) ; 1 female, Kroombit Tops, Beauty Spot 98, 24°22'S, 151°01'E (QM) ; 1 female, Kroombit Tops, Kroombit Crossing , 24°22'S, 151°01'E (QM) ; 1 female, Kroombit Tops, Lower Dry Creek , 24°24'S, 151°01'E (QM) ; 4 females, Kroombit Tops, Three Moon Creek , 24°22'S, 151°01'E (QM) ; 1 female, Kroombit Tops, Upper Kroombit Creek , 24°25'S, 151°03'E (QM) ; 1 female, same locality (QM) ; 1 female, same locality (QM) ; 1 female, Kuranda , 16°49'S, 145°38'E (MV K10334 ) ; 1 female, same locality (AM KS.86178) ; 1 male, 2 females, Mt Abbott , 20°06'S, 147°45'E (QM) ; 1 female, Mt Aberdeen, 20°12'S, 147°55'E (QM S38553 ) ; 1 male, Mt Archer , 0.5 km WNW, 23°30'S, 150°34'E (QM S80559 ) ; 1 male, 1 female, Mt Blackwood , 21°02'S, 148°57'E (QM S116638) ; 1 female, Mt Blackwood National Park , 21°02'S, 148°57'E (QM S39726 ) ; 3 females, Mt Cleveland , summit, 19°16'S, 147°01'E (QM S17879 ) ; 1 female, Mt Elliot National Park , 19°29'S, 146°58'E (QM) ; 1 male, Mt Goonaneman, near Childers , 25°26'S, 152°07'E (QM S116635) ; 1 female, Mt Tamborine National Park, Joalah section, 27°55'33"S, 153°10'48"E (NHMD 12196) ; 1 female, Mt Tamborine National Park, Witches Falls , 27°56'27"S, 153°10'48"E (NHMD 12204) ; 2 females, same locality (NHMD 12199) ; 1 male, Nangur State Forest , 26°08'S, 151°59'E (QM S47836 ) ; 1 female, Mooloolah River National Park, Jowarra Section , 26°46'S, 153°02'E (QM S48888 ) ; 1 female, Stony Creek 26°56'S, 152°42'E (QM S48955 ) ; 1 female, Upper Brookfield , 27°30'S, 152°55'E (QM) ; 1 female, same locality (QM) ; 1 female, same locality (QM) ; 1 female, same locality (QM) ; 1 female, same locality (QM) ; 1 female, same locality (QM S56818 ) ; 1 female, same locality (QM S39729 ) ; 1 female, same locality (QM S39725 ) ; 1 female, same locality (QM S39727 ) ; 1 female, same locality (QM) ; 1 female, same locality (QM) ; 1 female, same locality (QM) ; 1 female, same locality (QM) ; 1 female, 2 juv., same locality (QM) ; 1 female, same locality (QM S69649 ) ; 1 female, same locality (QM) ; 1 female, same locality (QM) ; 1 female, same locality (QM) ; 1 female, Wallaman Falls Road junction, 18°39'S, 145°52'E (QM S43284 ) ; 2 males, Wongabel , 8 km S Atherton, 17°20'S, 145°29'E (AM KS.29799) ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.27931) ; 1 female, Yungaburra , 17°16'S, 145°35'E (QM) ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.34150) .

Diagnosis.

L. folium sp. nov. is most similar to L. dimidiata comb. nov. based on somatic and gentialic morphology, but both species are readily separated by their abdominal colouration, specifically the shape of the black shoulder patches and their continuation into black lateral lines. Both form an acute internal angle in L. folium sp. nov. (Figs 12A , 13 - arrows), but an obtuse angle in L. dimidiata comb. nov. (Figs 7A , 8A - arrows). Male pedipalp morphology differs subtly in some key sclerites; for example, the terminal apophysis of L. folium sp. nov. lacks the sclerotised tip of L. dimidiata comb. nov. (Fig. 12D vs Fig. 7D ), the conductor is less prominent and less elongated and the spine in the basal arch of the median apophysis is comparatively smaller (Fig. 12C vs Fig. 7C ). The base of the scape of the female epigyne protrudes less anteriorly in L. folium sp. nov. than in L. dimidiata comb. nov. (Fig. 13C vs Fig. 8C ).

Description.

Male (based on holotype; QM S111932). Total length 4.5. Carapace (Fig. 12A ) 2.2 long, 1.7 wide; brown with somewhat darker lateral flanks; few white setae mainly in cephalic area; fovea indistinct broad depression. Eyes: AME 0.18, ALE 0.14, PME 0.14, PLE 0.13; row of eyes: AME 0.43, PME 0.32, PLE 0.95. Sternum (Fig. 12B ) 1.0 long, 0.8 wide; yellowish-brown; dark grey pigmentation towards margins; covered with few white setae; few brown bristles marginally. Labium 0.31 long, 0.47 wide; dark reddish-brown. Maxillae yellow-brown. Chelicerae brown; few white setae in basal half; four promarginal teeth, with the apical and third one largest; three retromarginal teeth of similar size. Legs: leg formula I> II> IV> III; yellowish-grey; lengths of segments (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total leg length): pedipalp 0.6 + 0.2 + 0.2 + - + 0.6 = 1.6, I 2.4 + 1.0 + 2.3 + 2.1 + 0.9 = 8.7, II 2.0 + 0.9 + 1.7 + 1.8 + 0.7 = 7.1, III 1.2 + 0.6 + 0.7 + 0.7 + 0.5 = 3.7, IV 1.6 + 0.8 + 1.3 + 1.3 + 0.6 = 5.6. Abdomen (Figs 12A, B ) 2.4 long, 1.8 wide; elongate ovoid; dorsally yellow-grey with dark Leviana folium pattern; four pairs of dark brown sigilla centrally; covered with long brown bristles and white setae; venter centrally dark grey with two elongated guanine patches laterally, covered with brown setae; spinnerets light brown.

Pedipalps (Figs 12C, D ): median apophysis apically broadly lobed, basally with thorn opposing a hooded base; terminal apophysis fleshy, elongated with double-tip; embolus with broad base and short tip; conductor stout.

Female (QM S111922; epigyne variation QM S116638). Total length 7.1. Carapace (Figs 13A ) 3.0 long, 2.3 wide; brown somewhat darker laterally; white setae in particular in cephalic area; fovea shallow and poorly demarcated. Eyes: AME 0.23, ALE 0.13, PME 0.18, PLE 0.13; row of eyes: AME 0.54, PME 0.43, PLE 1.40. Sternum (Fig. 13B ) 1.4 long, 1.1 wide; brown; dark grey to black pigmentation towards margins; covered with few white setae; few long brown bristles marginally. Labium 0.45 long, 0.65 wide, dark brown. Maxillae dark brown. Chelicerae dark brown; few white setae in basal half, few black setae mesally in apical half; four promarginal teeth, with the apical and third one largest; three retromarginal teeth of similar size. Legs: leg formula I> II> IV> III; brown with indistinct darker annulations, mainly on tibiae and metatarsi of leg III and IV; lengths of segments (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length of leg): pedipalp 0.8 + 0.3 + 0.4 + - + 0.8 = 2.3, I 2.5 + 1.1 + 2.0 + 1.8 + 1.0 = 8.4, II 2.1 + 1.0 + 1.6 + 1.7 + 0.8 = 7.52, III 1.9 + 0.7 + 1.0 + 0.9 + 0.6 = 5.1, IV 2.3 + 1.0 + 1.5 + 1.5 + 0.7 = 7.0. Abdomen (Fig. 13A, B ) 4.8 long, 3.8 wide; ovoid, slightly dorsoventrally compressed; dorsal colour pattern and setae largely as male, but dorsal pattern less distinct; venter as male, but centrally darker; spinnerets brown.

Epigyne (Fig. 13C-F ) wider than long, ovoid; atrium elevated, bulging; central division broadly oval with narrow base; scape short, almost translucent, straight in lateral view; broken off anteriorly in most specimens (e.g. Fig. 13F ).

Variation.

Males total length 3.9-5.1 (n = 8), females 4.9-7.9 (n = 10). Colour variations of this species include, particularly in females, a distinct dark posterior patch that is sometimes poorly defined and sometimes distinctly demarcated. The epigyne scape was broken off in nine of the ten specimens measured.

Life history and habitat preferences.

Mature female L. folium sp. nov. were found throughout the year with the exception of July and August and peak numbers were recorded between December and April. Two females with eggsacs were collected in January and March. Males were collected between October and April (with a single record from the NT in June). This species therefore is spring- to summer mature.

Most specimens of L. folium sp. nov. were found in rainforest, but some specimen labels list 'open forest’ and 'vine scrub’ as habitat.

Distribution.

Leviana folium sp. nov. has been found in Queensland and New South Wales between ca. 16°45'S and 34°45'S Latitude, generally on the eastern slopes of the Great Dividing Range (Fig. 14 ).

Figures

Figure 2. Leviana folium sp. nov. Scanning Electron Micrographs (SEM) of female spinnerets of (NHMD 12199). A. Spinnerets, ventral view; B. Left anterior lateral spinnerets (ALS), ventral view; C. Right posterior median spinnerets (PMS), ventral view; D. Left posterior lateral spinneret (PLS), ventral view. Scale bars: 0.1 mm (A, C, D); 0.05 mm (B).

Figure 3. Leviana folium sp. nov. Scanning Electron Micrographs (SEM) of male (A-D; ZMUC 12203) and female (E-F; ZMUC 12199) genitalia. A. Left pedipalp bulb, ventral view; B. Left pedipalp bulb, apico-dorsal view; C. Basal arch and spine of median apophysis, left pedipalp, ventral view; D. Distal section of pedipalp bulb, apical view; E, epigyne, ventral view; F. Epigyne, posterior view. Scale bars: 0.1 mm (A, B, F); 0.05 mm (C-E).

Figure 7. Leviana dimidiata comb. nov., male (QM S 111921). A. Habitus, dorsal view; B. Habitus, ventral view; C. Left male pedipalp, ventral view; left male pedipalp, dorsal view. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B); 0.2 mm (C, D). Arrow in (A) points to diagnostic character distinguishing L. dimidiata comb. nov. and L. folium sp. nov.

Figure 8. Leviana dimidiata comb. nov., female (A, B, F QM S 67628; C-E QM S 25402). A. Habitus, dorsal view; B. Habitus, ventral view; C. Epigyne, ventral view; D. Epigyne, lateral view; E. Epigyne, posterior view; F. Epigyne, ventral view (scape broken off). Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B); 0.2 mm (C, D). Arrow in (A) points to diagnostic character distinguishing L. dimidiata comb. nov. and L. folium sp. nov.

Figure 12. Leviana folium sp. nov., male holotype (QM S 111932). A. Habitus, dorsal view; B. Habitus, ventral view; C. Left male pedipalp, ventral view; left male pedipalp, dorsal view. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B); 0.2 mm (C, D). Arrow in (A) points to diagnostic character distinguishing L. folium sp. nov. and L. dimidiata comb. nov.

Figure 13. Leviana folium sp. nov., female (A, B, F QM S 111922; C-E QM S 116638). A. Habitus, dorsal view; B. Habitus, ventral view; C. Epigyne, ventral view; D. Epigyne, lateral view; E. Epigyne, posterior view; F. Epigyne, ventral view. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B); 0.1 mm (C, D). Arrow in (A) points to diagnostic character distinguishing L. folium sp. nov. and L. dimidiata comb. nov.

Figure 14. Distribution records of Leviana folium sp. nov., L. minima sp. nov. and L. mulieraria comb. nov.