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

publication ID

https://dx.doi.org/10.3897/evolsyst.6.83573

publication LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:pub:DFF7CEB3-2038-4CA7-B057-CD5BFACC9510

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/A51AA48B-7BDD-41A8-A51D-815344EF9149

taxon LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:act:A51AA48B-7BDD-41A8-A51D-815344EF9149

treatment provided by

Evolutionary Systematics by Pensoft

scientific name

Leviana folium
status

sp. nov.

Leviana folium sp. nov.

Figs 2A-D View Figure 2 , 3A-F View Figure 3 , 12A-D View Figure 12 , 13A-F View Figure 13 , 14 View Figure 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) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (AM KS.56731) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.56735) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.76793) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.76790) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (AM KS.76775) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (AM KS.76791) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.84273) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (AM KS.66206) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (AM KS.76880) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.54443) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, Beecroft Reserve , 33°45'S, 151°04'E (AM KS.58719) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.51590) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.53871) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.56928) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (AM KS.56925) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.54423) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.51237) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, Bellangry State Forest, Wilson River Flora Reserve , 31°18'S, 152°29'E (AM KS.9732) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Blackbutt Forest , 34°33'S, 150°51'E (QM S39730 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Blue Mountains, Megalong Valley , 33°39'24"S, 150°16'25"E (NHMD) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, Brunswick Heads Nature Reserve , 28°32'S, 153°33'E (AM KS.9574) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, 1 juv., Bruxner Park, via Coffs Harbour , 30°14'S, 153°06'E (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, Byles Creek, Cheltenham , 33°45'S, 151°05'E (AM KS.53456) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, Hornsby, Waitara Creek , 33°42'52"S, 151°05'22"E (AM KS.79674) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, Jamberoo Mountain , 34°40'S, 150°43'E (AM KS.58657) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.56748) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.58704) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (AM KS.70910) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, 1 female, Jamieson Park , 33°43'S, 151°18'E (AM KS.131101) GoogleMaps ; 2 males, 1 female, 1 juv., Lindfield , 33°47'S, 151°10'E (AM KS.100356) GoogleMaps ; 5 females, Minnamurra Falls , 34°38'S, 150°44'E (AM KS.78407) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Newport, 25km N Sydney , 33°39'07"S, 151°18'50"E (NHMD 12194) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Pennant Hills , 33°44'S, 151°04'E (AM KS.58714) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Stotts Island , 28°14'S, 153°31'E (QM S56814 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 2 males, Terrigal, Wamberal Lagoon , 33°25'S, 151°27'E (AM KS.32169). Queensland GoogleMaps : 1 male, Atherton Tableland, Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat, 12.4 km ENE Malanda, 17°18'51"S, 145°42'9"E (NHMD) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, same locality (NHMD 12203) GoogleMaps ; 3 females, Bakers Blue Mountain , 17 km W Mt Molloy, 16°42'S, 145°10'E (QM S34081 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Binna Burra, Lamington National Park , 28°12'S, 153°11'E (QM S39724 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Boombana National Park , 27°24'S, 152°47'E (QM S54579 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, Broken River, Eungella , 19°28'S, 144°45'E (QM S47125 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Brooyar, Wrattens Camp Road , 26°9'S, 152°31'E (QM S39771 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 3 females, 1 juv., Cooloola State Forest , 26°12'S, 153°03'E (QM S33410 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, 1 female, Cooloola , 26°12'S, 153°03'E (QM S33499 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Eungella National Park , 21°10'S, 148°30'E (QM S69648 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, Eungella National Park, Clark Ranges , 20°35'S, 148°15'E (QM S49159 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, Fraser Island , 25°33'S, 152°59'E (AM KS.32982) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, Hann Tableland , northern end, 16°49'S, 145°11'E (QM S116634) GoogleMaps ; 2 males, 1 female, same locality (QM S116637) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, same locality (QM S40539 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, 1 female, Kirrama Range, Douglas Creek Road, 18°12'S, 145°45'E (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Kondalilla National Park , 26°40'S, 152°52'E (QM S39764 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 10 females, Kroombit Tops , 24°22'S, 151°01'E (QM) GoogleMaps ; 6 females, same locality (QM S116636) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Kroombit Tops, Beauty Spot 98, 24°22'S, 151°01'E (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Kroombit Tops, Kroombit Crossing , 24°22'S, 151°01'E (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Kroombit Tops, Lower Dry Creek , 24°24'S, 151°01'E (QM) GoogleMaps ; 4 females, Kroombit Tops, Three Moon Creek , 24°22'S, 151°01'E (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Kroombit Tops, Upper Kroombit Creek , 24°25'S, 151°03'E (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Kuranda , 16°49'S, 145°38'E (MV K10334 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (AM KS.86178) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, 2 females, Mt Abbott , 20°06'S, 147°45'E (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Mt Aberdeen, 20°12'S, 147°55'E (QM S38553 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, Mt Archer , 0.5 km WNW, 23°30'S, 150°34'E (QM S80559 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, 1 female, Mt Blackwood , 21°02'S, 148°57'E (QM S116638) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Mt Blackwood National Park , 21°02'S, 148°57'E (QM S39726 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 3 females, Mt Cleveland , summit, 19°16'S, 147°01'E (QM S17879 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Mt Elliot National Park , 19°29'S, 146°58'E (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, Mt Goonaneman, near Childers , 25°26'S, 152°07'E (QM S116635) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Mt Tamborine National Park, Joalah section, 27°55'33"S, 153°10'48"E (NHMD 12196) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Mt Tamborine National Park, Witches Falls , 27°56'27"S, 153°10'48"E (NHMD 12204) GoogleMaps ; 2 females, same locality (NHMD 12199) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, Nangur State Forest , 26°08'S, 151°59'E (QM S47836 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Mooloolah River National Park, Jowarra Section , 26°46'S, 153°02'E (QM S48888 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Stony Creek 26°56'S, 152°42'E (QM S48955 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Upper Brookfield , 27°30'S, 152°55'E (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (QM S56818 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (QM S39729 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (QM S39725 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (QM S39727 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, 2 juv., same locality (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (QM S69649 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, same locality (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Wallaman Falls Road junction, 18°39'S, 145°52'E (QM S43284 View Materials ) GoogleMaps ; 2 males, Wongabel , 8 km S Atherton, 17°20'S, 145°29'E (AM KS.29799) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.27931) GoogleMaps ; 1 female, Yungaburra , 17°16'S, 145°35'E (QM) GoogleMaps ; 1 male, same locality (AM KS.34150) GoogleMaps .

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 View Figure 12 , 13 View Figure 13 - arrows), but an obtuse angle in L. dimidiata comb. nov. (Figs 7A View Figure 7 , 8A View Figure 8 - 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 View Figure 12 vs Fig. 7D View Figure 7 ), the conductor is less prominent and less elongated and the spine in the basal arch of the median apophysis is comparatively smaller (Fig. 12C View Figure 12 vs Fig. 7C View Figure 7 ). 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 View Figure 13 vs Fig. 8C View Figure 8 ).

Description.

Male (based on holotype; QM S111932). Total length 4.5. Carapace (Fig. 12A View Figure 12 ) 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 View Figure 12 ) 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 View Figure 12 ) 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 View Figure 12 ): 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 View Figure 13 ) 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 View Figure 13 ) 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 View Figure 13 ) 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 View Figure 13 ) 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 View Figure 13 ).

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 View Figure 14 ).

Kingdom

Animalia

Class

Arachnida

Order

Araneae

Family

Araneidae

Genus

Leviana