Battalus microspinosus, Raven, 2015

Battalus microspinosus View in CoL sp. nov.

( Figs 30f–i View FIGURE 30 , 31b, d View FIGURE 31 . Map 13)

Material. Western Australia: holotype ♂, Kellerberrin , 31°38'S, 117°43'E, G. T. Smith, WAM 98 About WAM /1647. Paratypes GoogleMaps : Western Australia: allotype ♀, Bungalbin Hill , 30°17'S, 119°43'E, BHR4 , tree mallee ecotone, pitfall, WAM Goldfields Survey 12/1981, W.F. Humphreys, WAM 98 About WAM /1648; 1♂, Nungarin, 31°11'S, 118°06'E, 4 Oct 1999, R. P. Macmillan, WAM T41482 GoogleMaps .

Other Material. Western Australia: 1♀, Black Swan Nickel Mine , 50 km NW Kalgoorlie, 30°23'57"S, 121°40'42"E, 12 Dec 2003 – 5 Jan 2004, P. R GoogleMaps . Langlands , WAM T56895 ; 1♀, same data but 30°23'22"S, 121°39'03"E, 11 Dec 2003 – 5 Jan 2004, WAM T53188 GoogleMaps . South Australia: 1♂, Jumby East Dam, Bungunnia Station (NE of Morgan), 33°48'S, 139°52'E, 13 Oct 1980, J. Whitehead, SAMA NN28487 About SAMA GoogleMaps .

Diagnosis. Both males and females are readily distinguished from other species by the small spine-like bristles on ventral tarsi II–IV ( Fig. 31b View FIGURE 31 ). Males closely resemble those of B. rugosus sp. nov. in the shape of the paracymbial spine ( Fig. 30 f, g View FIGURE 30 ) but differ in the larger paracymbial spine, and the spermatic duct passes wide of secondary loop (not very close, as in B. rugosus sp. nov

Etymology. Alludes to the small spine-like setae on ventral tarsi II–IV.

Description Holotype male WAM 98/1647.

Carapace 3.76 long, 2.57 wide. Abdomen 4.40 long, 2.70 wide. Total length 9.4.

Colour: carapace light orange brown, darker in eye region; abdomen (cuticle separated) dorsally blue black with light brown oval scute to half length, three irregular paired white marks in posterior third; laterally a pallid arc around booklungs; chelicerae, fangs, sternum, maxillae and labium red brown; coxae and legs yellowish. Carapace: radial lines of short thorn-like setae on thorax, similar setae on arched caput but not in lines; fovea short, deep. Posterior slope gradual from anterior third. Chilum entire but deeply incised. Chelicerae: large; anterior process a rounded flange, hair horizontal, slender; fangs strong, long, diagonal, with thickening at basal third; furrow long; promargin with one large and one smaller tooth; retromargin with two similar medium-sized teeth, all teeth set well back from fang base and rows alternate not juxtaposed. Maxillae ( Fig. 31d View FIGURE 31 ): rhomboidal with long groove along ental edge; small curved ridge basally. Legs: without feathery hairs. Short thick black spine-like setae ventrally on tarsi II–IV, dense cluster below claws, forming rows on III and IV ( Fig. 31b View FIGURE 31 ). Spines: I: fe pv1 long p2d3r1; ti p1w v2.2.2.2; me v2.2. II: fe pv1p2d3r1; ti p1wv2.2.2.2; me v2.2. III: fe p3d3r3; ti p2d1r2v2.2.2; me p3r3v2.2.3. IV: fe p2d3r2; ti p2d1r2v2.2.2; me p3r4v2.2.3. Palp: fe p1d2v0; pa p1d1.1; ti p2d1. Scopula: weak but distinct for length of tarsi I and II; divided in distal half of metatarsi I and II. Claws and tufts similar size and length on all legs, tufts project forward and above claws. Palp: tibia with prolateral glabrous saddle; cymbium fusilliform with large domed paracymbial spine; sparse scopula apically; bulb pyriform without parategular indentations; pre-embolic keel short, low; distal flange rounded, twists to conical embolus. Abdomen: scutes: dorsal, a narrow ovoid with irregular margin, almost to midlength and not extending to flank, genital scute not enclosing pedicel, lightly sclerotised over genital region and booklungs; no post-epigastric sclerites; tracheal slightly raised, ridge wide, distinctly sclerotised.

Allotype Female WAM 98 About WAM /1648. As ♂ except:

Carapace 3.25 long, 2.32 wide. Abdomen 4.19 long, 2.87 wide. Total length 8.6.

Colour: carapace light orange brown, darker in eye region; abdomen (cuticle separated) dorsally blue black with light brown oval scute to fifth length, six irregular paired white marks for posterior two-thirds, banana-shaped last mark almost to ventral edge beside spinnerets; ventrally brown with narrow central longitudinal band. Chelicerae: large; anterior process a rounded flange with band of 10–15 short, thick, serrate, curved, black setae. Fangs strong, short; furrow short. Legs: short thick black setae ventrally on tarsi II–IV, dense cluster below claws; less numerous than in ♂. Spines: I–IV, as ♂ but also II: ti p2, me p1. Palp: as ♂, but ta p2r1 all basal. Palp: dorsally, tarsus with short thorn setae for length. Abdomen: with long triangular scute dorsally just over anterior shoulder ca. for 1/8th length; genital scute not sclerotized; tracheal ridge short, low, in small ovoid area. Epigyne: with two relatively large ovoid fossae laterally, internal ducts strongly folded back five times.

Distribution. Known only from the Goldfields in southwest Western Australia, including Kellerberrin and

Bungalbin Hill, and near Morgan in South Australia.