Artifex melanopyga, (KOCH, 1871), 2018

ARTIFEX MELANOPYGA ( KOCH, 1871) View in CoL COMB. NOV.

FIGS 10C, 39–42

Epeira melanopyga Koch, 1871: 9 , plate 8, fig. 2.

Singotypa melanopyga Rainbow, 1916: 87 , plate 21, fig. 9 (male).

Phonognatha melanopyga Kuntner et al., 2008: 170 View in CoL , fig. 11D, H–I (female, male); Kuntner et al., 2009: 1452, fig. 1C (male).

Araneus mastersi Bradley, 1876 a: 146 , plate 1, fig. 1 (female, male), syn. nov.

Type material: Artifex melanopyga : Holotype (1F): Australia, Queensland, Port Mackay , 1F holotype ( ZMUH, examined). Araneus mastersii : Syntypes (3 MM, 2 FF, 9Juv): Australia, Queensland, Sue Island and Coconut Island ( MMUS 0196 View Materials , images from V. Framenau examined) .

Diagnosis: Males of A. melanopyga comb. nov. are distinguishable from those of Phonognatha and Deliochus by the membranous area on its conductor ( Fig. 41E). Females can be distinguished from A. joannae comb. nov. by its more or less straight median septum ( Fig. 39D vs. Fig. 42D) and crescent ( Fig. 40A) rather than ring-shaped ( Fig. 44A) dorsal abdominal markings. Artifex melanopyga comb. nov. is found on mainland Australia, and the only congeneric species is found in New Caledonia.

Description

Female ( Figs. 39, 40A–D) (from Queensland, Yam Island, QM S12466 View Materials ): Total length 12.29. Carapace 5.36 long, 3.63 wide, 1.96 high, yellowish brown to reddish brown, with cephalic area and fovea darker; sternum 2.48 long, 1.76 wide, reddish brown, with dark margins and pale central area. Eye rows slightly recurved, anterior row more so than the posterior. AMEs on small prominence; lateral eyes juxtaposed, paired on a small prominences; AME diameter 0.19; AMEs interdistance c. 1½ AME diameter; AME– PME distance c. 1 AME diameter. Clypeus c. 1 AME diameter. Paturon reddish brown, with three prolateral and three retrolateral teeth; cheliceral fang curves mesally about a third to half of the way from the chelicera. Legs coloured as cephalothorax; femur I sigmoid; formula 1243: femur I 4.29, patella I 1.92, tibia I 4.06, metatarsus I 4.72, tarsus I 1.50; femur II 3.48, patella II 1.60, tibia II 3.31, metatarsus II 3.70, tarsus II 1.40; femur III 2.61, patella III 1.21, tibia III 1.67, metatarsus III 2.24, tarsus III 1.06; femur IV 3.48, patella IV 1.49, tibia IV 2.72, metatarsus IV 2.55, tarsus IV 0.97. Abdomen 8.03 long, 5.39 wide, 5.04 high, elongate, slightly wider posteriorly; dorsal face light brown with pale guanine crystals; dorsum with 3–4 pairs of curved brown markings, with brown posterior area; venter with two indistinct longitudinal stripes of guanocytes between epigastric furrow and spinning field, which is relatively centrally positioned. Epigynum with two large ventral-facing, sclerotized copulatory openings, separate by a median septum of a relatively uniform width; copulatory ducts turn with multiple looping convolutions in an anterior lobe before turning on itself before reaching spermathecae; fertilization ducts emerge from posterior region of spermathecae and extend dorsally.

Male ( Figs 39E–I, 41) (from Queensland, Fitzroy Island, AM KS33822): Total length 6.20. Carapace 3.43 long, 2.09 wide, 1.08 high, yellowish brown, with cephalic region slightly darker, and division between cephalic and thoracic regions and fovea darker still; sternum 1.26 long, 0.94 wide, coloured as cephalothorax. Eye arrangement as in female. AME diameter 0.21; AMEs interdistance c. 1 AME diameter; AME–PME distance slightly less than c. 1 AME diameter. Clypeus c. ½ AME diameter. Paturon yellowish brown to reddish brown, with three prolateral and two retrolateral teeth; cheliceral fang bends mesally at approximately the midway point. Legs coloured as cephalothorax; femur I sigmoid; formula 1243: femur I 3.02, patella I 1.29, tibia I 2.89, metatarsus I 3.07, tarsus I 0.98; femur II 2.42, patella II 1.19, tibia II 2.49, metatarsus II 2.50, tarsus II 0.95; femur III 1.47, patella III 0.72, tibia III 1.00, metatarsus III 1.10, tarsus III 0.60; femur IV 2.05, patella IV 0.92, tibia IV 1.73, metatarsus IV 1.65, tarsus IV 0.70. Abdomen 3.35 long, 2.04 wide, 2.00 high, dorsal face light brown with pale guanine crystals; 4–5 pairs of indistinct dark brown markings on the dorsum, with brown posterior area; ventral face lacking guanocytes. Pedipalp typical of Artifex gen. nov., with tibia approximately 1.5 times the length of the cymbium.

Variation: Females’ (N = 5) total length 9.45–13.59, carapace length 4.88–5.36, width 3.11–3.63, height 1.41–1.60, abdomen length 5.94–9.66, abdomen width 4.18–6.08, abdomen height 3.03–6.05, sternum length 2.21–2.50, and sternum width 1.59–1.96. Males’ (N = 5) total length 4.46–6.91, carapace length 2.28–3.90, width 1.45–2.36, height 0.77–1.12, abdomen length 2.72–3.45, abdomen width 1.68–2.40, abdomen height 1.71–2.41, sternum length 1.13–1.82, and sternum width 0.83–1.30.

Natural history: This species exhibits sexual size dimorphism, with females reaching approximately three times the length of males. Multiple male specimens are missing their palps and females often have epigynal plugs formed from those palps. This has been described as genital emasculation and is discussed further in Kuntner, Agnarsson & Li (2015).

Distribution: Known from the eastern region of Queensland, including islands of the Torres Strait ( Fig. 42).

Additional material examined: Australia: Queensland, Mossman, −16.45, 145.37*, 22.ix.1969, R. Mascord, 1F ( AM KS33823); Cape Kimberley, Neal, Noah Creek Area, −16.283, 145.467, 26.x.1994, R. Elick, B. Y. Main, rainforest, from a Crinum , nest in cone-shaped dry leaf, 1F, 1M eunuch ( WAM T 99/2984); Cooktown, −15.436, 145.216 *, 3–10.iv.1991, G. Milledge, 1F ( MV ENTO 2014-19L); Sarina Beach, 30 km SSE of Mackay, 21.387, 149.309 *, 20.iv.1991, G. Milledge, 1Juv ( MV ENTO 2014-19L); Gordonvale, −17.097, 145.779 *, 18.iv.1916, W. J. Rainbow, 1M, 3Juv ( MV ENTO 2014-19L); Townsville, −19.260, 146.812 *, 5.ii.1945, B. Malkin, 7 FF ( WAM); Paluma, −19.000, 146.200, 22.i.1981, M. S. Harvey, 1F ( WAM T 99/2985); Gordonvale, −17.018, 145.791 *, vi.1916, A. A. Girault, 3 FF ( WAM T 1916/421); Townsville, −19.260, 146.812 *, 2.v.1945, B. Malkin, 1F ( WAM); South Malle Island, Lamond Hill, −20.270, 148.837 *, 30.xi.1981, M. S. Harvey, ex curled leaves in web, 1F ( WAM T 99/2838); Cooloola, Camp Milo, −25.045, 153.210 *, 3–7.ii.1976, R. J. Raven, V. E. Davies, curled leaf in web, 10+ FF ( QM); Enfield site, nr Westmar, −27.951, 149.712 *, 9.i.1979, R. J. Raven, V. E. Davies, 3 FF ( QM); Enfield site, nr.Westmar, −27.951, 149.712 *, 10.i.1979, R. J. Raven, V. E. Davies, 10+ FF ( QM); Lake Broadwater, −27.363, 151.099 *, 12.ii.1984, M. Bennie, 1F ( QM); Mt. Colliery, Warwick, −28.217, 152.017 *, 1.iii.1971, R. Monrow, swept in roadside vegetation, 1F ( QM); Yandaburra, 125 km SW of Springsure, −24.339, 147.623 *, 7–16.v.1976, C. Fearnley, 3 FF ( QM); Mabuiag Island, −9.952, 142.180 *, 3.viii.1975, H. Heatwole, 1F ( QM S39738 View Materials ); Normanby Station, 30 km NW of Cooktown, −15.334, 145.019 *, 13–17.ix.1984, C. Fearnley, 1M, 1F ( QM S39741 View Materials ); Torres Strait, Yam Island, 28.xi–2.xii.1986, J. Gallon, 1M ( QM S12465 View Materials ); Queenland, Torres Strait, Sabba Island, 31.vii.1975, H. Heatwole, 1F ( QM S39739 View Materials ); Torres Strait, Friday Island, −10.598, 142.166 *, 7.xii.1986, J. Gallon, 1F ( QM S12302 View Materials ); Cape Hillsborough National Park, McBrides Point Eucalyptus Forest , −20.912, 152.373 *, 12.ii.1975, D. A. Schulz, 1F ( QM S45594 View Materials ); Airlie Beach, −20.268, 148.719 *, 16.ii.1986, R. J. Raven, J. Gallon, 1F ( QM S8050); Airlie Beach, −20.268, 148.719 *, 15–17.ii.1986, J. Gallon, R. J. Raven, general and night collecting, 3 FF, 1M ( QM S8020); Shute Harbor, −20.288, 148.786 *, 16.ii.1986, R. J. Raven, J. Gallon, night collecting, 10 FF ( QM S9959); Shute Harbor, −20.288, 148.786 *, 15.ii.1986, R. J. Raven, J. Gallon, night collecting, 7 FF ( QM S9956); Shute Harbor, −20.288, 148.786 *, 16.ii.1986, R. J. Raven, J. Gallon, vine shrub on rock, beating, 2 FF ( QM S9962); Yeppon, Congalee Beach, −23.135, 150.744, 1.xii.1992 - iii.1993, 20 m, A.Walford, intercept and pitfall, 1F ( QM S27487 View Materials ); Carlisle Island, camp area, −20.786, 149.286 *, 12–19. xii.1986, M. Bennie, FF, 2 MM eunuchs ( QM S39744 View Materials ); Torres Strait, Yam Island, SW of Yorke Island, −9.901, 142.775 *, 28.xi–2.xii.1986, J. Gallon, under bark, 4 FF ( QM S12466 View Materials ); South Percy Island, lagoon area, −21.767, 150.300, 25–26.xi.1992, Monteith, Thompson, Cook, Janetzki, 8 FF ( QM S40785); Girraween National Park, −28.775, 151.912 *, 7.iii.1974, 5 FF ( QM S45629); 5 km upriver Mooloolaba, −26.651, 153.101 *, 2.iv.1982, D. Sinclair, found at edge of river in paperbark area at fringe, 1F ( QM S45599 View Materials ); Rockhampton, nr. Mount Archer, −23.363, 150.529 *, 5–6.x.1982, A. Rozefelds, rainforest, 1M, 1Juv ( QM S56819 View Materials ); Torres Strait, Horn Island, −10.607, 142.282 *, 23.vii.1975, H. Heatwole, E.C., 2 FF ( QM S39736 View Materials ); Torres Strait, Moa Island, Kubin Village, −10.177, 142.258 *, 14.viii.1975, H. Heatwole, 1F ( QM S39737 View Materials ); Undara, −18.225, 144.577, 2.x.1989, M. Godwin, in rolled leaf, 1F ( QM S35306 View Materials ); 40 Mile Scrub, SW of Mount Garnet, −18089, 144862*, 3–10.iv.1978, V. E. Davies, R. Raven, 1F, Juv ( QM S39777); Salvator Rosa National Park, Spyglass, −24.817, 146.424 *, 16.ix.1984, M. Bennie, 10+Juv ( QM S45459 View Materials ); Gordonvale, −17.081, 145.791 *, A. A. Girault, 1M, 2Juv ( QM); Torres Strait, Yorke Island, −9.752, 143.407 *, 13.viii.1974, S. Ingram, 3 FF, 1M ( QM S39734 View Materials ); Proserpine, Lethe Brook Creek Crossing, site XY20, −20.414, 148.527, 6.xi.2007, 13 m, R. Raven, rainforest, 1F ( QM S86719 View Materials ); Proserpine, Thompson Creek, site XY14, −20.511, 148.565, 12.xi.2007, 44 m, R. Raven, closed forest, 1F ( QM S86802 View Materials ); Proserpine, Deadman Creek, site XY17, −20.505, 148.556, 10.xi.2007, 21 m, R.Raven, open forest, 1F ( QM S86827 View Materials ); Proserpine, nr. Kelsey Substation, site XY19, −20.390, 148.541, 6.xi.2007, 21 m, R. Raven, closed forest, 1F ( QM S86701 View Materials ); Proserpine, Thompson Creek, site XY16, −20.554, 148.505, 9.xi.2007, 48 m, R. Raven, rainforest, 1F ( QM S86593 View Materials ); Proserpine, nr. Kelsey Substation, site XY19, −20.390, 148.541, 6.xi.2007, 21 m, R. Raven, closed forest, 2 FF ( QM S86612 View Materials ); Proserpine, Thompson Creek, site XY16, −20.554, 148.505, 9.xi.2007, 48 m, C. J. Burwell, rainforest, night hand collection, 15123, 1F ( QM S86593 View Materials ); Proserpine, Thompson Creek, site XY15, −20.519, 148.557, 11.xi.2007, 30 m, R. Raven, closed forest, 1F ( QM S86784 View Materials ); Fitzroy Island, −16.935, 145.993 *, 22.ix.1971, R. E. Mascord, 2 FF, 1M ( AM KS33822); Fitzroy Island, −16.935, 145.993 *, 1951, J. G. Brooks, 1F ( AM KS33821); Prince of Wales Island, Terry Beach, −10.687, 142.175 *, E. Cameron, 1M ( AM KS51624); Whitsunday Island, −20.267, 148.979 *, i.1934, F. Amenhill, spider in leaf nest, 1F, 1M eunuch ( AM KS34320); 40 miles SW of Mount Garnet, 5.xi. 1962, 750 m, E. S. Ross, D.Q. Cavagnaro, 2 FF ( CASENT); Herveys Range, −19.367, 146.433, 21.vii. 2009, 380 m, G. Cocks, under leaf, 1M ( AM KS109949); Townsville, −19.260, 146.812 *, 1F ( AM KS036939); Davies Creek Falls, −17.010, 145.582, 28.ii.2008, G. Milledge, H. Smith, beat and sweep, under bark, sclerophyll, 1F ( AM KS103105); Tumoulin Road, SE of Herberton, −17.468, 145.372, 4.xii.2008, G. Milledge, H. Smith, general collecting, 1F ( AM KS106625); Cape Kimberley, track to lookout W of caravan park, −16.274, 145.468, 21.ix.2003, G. Milledge, H. Smith, headtorch, 1M ( AM KS86169); Cape York Peninsula, −15.433, 144.450, 9.viii.2002, G. Wishart, 1F ( AM KS79682); Herveys Range, −19.367, 146.333, 21.vii. 2009, 380 m, G. Cocks, under leaf, 1Juv ( AM KS109944); Cape York Peninsula, Elliot Falls, −11.350, 142.400, 7.viii.2002, G. Wishart, 2 FF, 1M ( AM KS79680); Edmonton, rainforest block at end of Barr Street, −17.025, 145.747, 18–19.ix.2003, G. Milledge, H. Smith, curled leaf, 1F ( AM KS86149); Herberton, Petford Road, 0.9 km W. of Herberton, −17.386, 145.378, 23.ix.2003, G. Milledge, H. Smith, curled leaf, 2 MM ( AM KS86117).