Megalopsalis (Spinicruroides), 2025

Megalopsalis (Spinicruroides) new subgenus

Fig. 4b View FIGURE 4

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Type species: Megalopsalis caeruleomontium Taylor, 2013b View in CoL .

Other included species (original combinations): Megalopsalis atrocidiana Taylor, 2013b View in CoL ; Megalopsalis coronata Taylor, 2013b View in CoL ; Megalopsalis puerilis Taylor, 2013b View in CoL .

Etymology: Gender masculine, from the historical genus Spinicrus (currently synonymised with Megalopsalis ) and the suffix - oides, ‘resembling’.

Description: Pedipalp patella of both sexes lacking distinct apophysis or hypersetose area; tarsal claw with ventral tooth-row. Penis ( Fig. 4b View FIGURE 4 ) with glans short to medium-length, subtriangular to subrectangular, rapidly narrowing beyond shaft-glans junction to become strongly compressed; bristle groups relatively long; shaft with relatively weak waist behind bristle groups. Spiracle with grate of mid-length, densely reticulate spines with multifurcate endings, and dense patch of lace tubercles in lateral corner ( Taylor 2013b).

Comments: The species of Spinicruroides were left unassigned to species groups by Taylor (2013b). Though externally diverse in appearance, they form a cluster distinguishable from other Megalopsalis species by genital morphology. The sides of the glans converge less strongly than in other subgenera, so the overall shape is a narrower triangle or even rectangular, in contrast to the broader triangle of Intutoportula or Megalopsalis . The glans is also noticeably flatter in lateral view. Spinicruroides species are found in coastward regions of New South Wales and Queensland ( Taylor 2013b).