Ariadna gonzo sp. nov.

Figs 22a–h, 23a–c, 19

http://zoobank.org/NomenclaturalActs/345338b5-eeb0-453a-8777-29ac4c70af14

Type material. Holotype ♂. AUSTRALIA: Tasmania: Epping Forest, Sherwood Bush Block pitfall 3; 41.73°S, 147.30°E; 05 April 1991; coll. L. McGowan (QVMAG QVM:2021:13:0640).

Other material examined. Tasmania: 3 ♂, same data as holotype (QVMAG QVM:13:42419) .

Etymology. The specific epithet is in reference to the curved and hooked embolus of the pedipalp, which resembles the nose of the Muppet character Gonzo.

Diagnosis. Ariadna gonzo sp. nov. is closest to A. abbreviata sp. nov., A. clavata and A. muscosa, it can be differentiated from these species by the embolus arising medially from the bulb, and with the embolus being hooked at around ¾ of its length (Fig. 23a–c cf. Figs 2a–c, 25a–c; fig. 1g, i Marsh et al. 2018).

Description. ♂ (based on holotype; QVMAG QVM:2021:13:0640). Total length 6.9.

Colour in ethanol: Carapace dark brown, darker anteriorly, with sparse, scattered dark setae, denser anteriorly; sternum mid brown, with black long brown setae, maxillae and labium mid brown, paler in colour apically, chelicerae dark red brown; abdomen dorsally light grey, with dark grey chevrons, ventrally light grey. Legs golden yellow brown, with dark setae (Fig. 22a–h).

Cephalothorax: 3.5 long, 1.9 wide, 1.8 high. Carapace broadly oval, anteriorly with broad neck, fovea shallow (Fig. 22a); in lateral view carapace domed, caput raised towards anterior, highest at midpoint between fovea and eyes (Fig. 22c). Labium narrowed anteriorly, about ¾ length of maxillae; chelicerae hypognathous, with basal transverse ridge, retromargin with single tooth, promargin with three teeth; sternum oval, with precoxal triangles and with smaller, rounded intercoxal extensions (Fig. 22b). Eye group 0.7 wide, 0.5 of anterior carapace width; posterior eye row slightly recurved, eye group on extensions projecting anteriorly over clypeus (Fig. 22d).

Abdomen: 2.8 long. Covered in fine setae (Fig 22a).

Legs: Leg length ratio II>I>IV. Leg I femur 2.9, patella 1.0, tibia 2.2, metatarsus 1.8, tarsus 1.0. Leg II femur 2.6, patella 1.0, tibia 2.4, metatarsus 2.3, tarsus 0.9. Leg IV femur 2.5, patella 1.1, tibia 2.1, metatarsus 1.9, tarsus 0.9. Femur I bowed in dorsal view. Leg III damaged. Macrosetae: Leg I: Femur d1-1-1-1ap, dp2ap; tibia p1-1-1-1-1, pv1-1-1-1-1-1ap, rv1-1-1-1-1-1ap, r1-1-1-1-1; metatarsus p1-1-1, pv1-1-1-1-1-1ap, rv1-1-1-1-1ap, r1. Leg II femur d1, dp2ap; tibia p1-1-1, pv1-1-1ap, rv1-1-1-1-1-1ap, r1-1-1-1-1-1. Leg IV femur d1-1-1-1-1, dp1ap; tibia p1-1-1-1- 1, v1-1-1ap, rv1-1-1ap; metatarsus p1-1-1, pv1-1-1-1ap, v1-1ap, r1. Retrolateral distal preening comb with 7 spines (Fig, 22e). STC I, II with 11 long teeth, ITC with single tooth, Tarsi with distal ventral scopulose setae.

Pedipalp: Tibia short, bulbous and ventrally expanded, 0.7 width to height; cymbium rounded square, triangular apically with elongate setae; bulb globular, embolus originating medially from ventral edge of bulb, broad; curved and hooked apically (Fig. 23a–c).

Variation. Material examined for this species was in poor condition and many macrosetae were damaged, however, there was little variation in the specimens examined.

Distribution. Known only from type locality ca. 35 km SSE of Launceston (Fig. 19)