Blakistonia aurea Hogg, 1902

Harrison, Sophie E., Rix, Michael G., Harvey, Mark S. & Austin, Andrew D., 2018, Systematics of the Australian spiny trapdoor spiders of the genus Blakistonia Hogg (Araneae: Idiopidae), Zootaxa 4518 (1), pp. 1-76 : 20-26

Blakistonia aurea Hogg, 1902

( Figs 5 A–L, 6A–I)

Blakistonia aurea Hogg, 1902: 132 , fig. 25B–E, pl. 13, figs 1–2. Simon, 1903: 903, figs 1051, 1056–1057. Rainbow & Pulleine, 1918: 104, pl. 13, fig. 8, pl. 14, fig. 6, pl. 15, fig. 7. Main, 1964: 30, figs A–G. Main, 1985: 40, figs 146– 157, 203–204, 211–212. Rix et al., 2017c: 586, figs 43, 45, 49–51.

Aganippe villosa Rainbow & Pulleine, 1918: 96 , pl. 21, fig. 44 (synonymised by Main, 1985: 40).

Type material (of B. aurea ). AUSTRALIA: South Australia: male syntype, Lower North Road, Adelaide; 4 female syntypes, Blakiston and Mount Lofty Ranges (purportedly BMNH, SAM; presumed lost) .

Type material (of A. villosa ). AUSTRALIA: South Australia: female holotype, Bridgewater (AMS KS6156 ; examined).

Material examined (exemplar specimens for descriptions and variation). AUSTRALIA: South Australia: 1 male, Valley View , 34°50’29”S, 138°39’41”E, 3 April 2013, hand collected, W. Chau ( SAM NN29564 ) ; 1 female, Echunga , 35°7’9S, 138°48’10”, 20 March 2015 ( SAM NN29623 DNA); 1 female, Moralana Drive, 31°43’06”S, 138°31’52”E, 4 May 2013, dug from burrow in dry grass paddock, S.E. Harrison, M.L. Harrison ( SAM NN29577 DNA); 1 female, Maitland-Ardrossan Road, 34°23’21”S, 137°43’28”E, 6 May 2013, dug from burrow on dry verge next to paddock, S.E. Harrison, M.L. Harrison ( SAM NN29590 DNA); 1 female, Pages Flat, off Pages Flat Road, 35°20’24”S, 138°31’37”E, 3 September 2013, dug from burrow on dry roadside with sparse grass, S.E. Harrison, M.L. Harrison ( SAM NN29601 DNA); 1 female, Norton Summit, 34°55’04”S, 138°44’37”, 30 April 2015, dug from burrow in mossy clay bank, S.E. Harrison, N. Birks ( SAM NN29630 DNA) ; 1 male, Satsuma Crescent, Golden Grove , 34°46’56”S, 138°43’9”, 1 June 2015, hand drowned in water in tarpaulin, A.J. Lewis ( SAM NN29633 DNA); 1 male, Morgan, 34°2’7.12”S, 139°40’20”, 15 June 2015, hand wandering at night, M. Newton ( SAM NN29634 DNA) ; 1 male, Pyap, Murray Mallee , 34°27’S, 140°29’40”E, 17 June 1991, hand collected from house verandah after rain, L.N. Nicolson ( SAM NN20078 DNA) ; 1 male, Mitcham, Adelaide Plains , 34°58’S, 138°37’E, 25 March 1979, hand collected at night under porchlight, R.V. Southcott ( SAM NN20047 ) ; 1 male, Weetootla Well, Balcanoona Creek, Flinders Ranges , 30°29’S, 139°13’E, 8 May 1989, pitfall, D. Hirst ( SAM NN20096 ) . Victoria: 1 male, Mildura , 34°32’S, 142°12’E, 23 July 1992, P. Hudson ( SAM NN20082 ) . New South Wales: 1 female, Eaglehawk Station , 32°21’S, 141°43’E, N. Birks ( SAM NN29615 DNA) .

Other material examined. AUSTRALIA: South Australia: 1 male, Crystal Brook Golf Course, Mid- North , 33°21’S, 138°12’E, 12 April 1998, hand collected after rain, D. Hirst (SAM NN20006 ); 1 male, Crystal Brook Golf Course, Mid-North , 33°21’S, 138°12’E, 12 April 1998, hand collected after rain, D. Hirst ( SAM NN20007 ) ; 1 male, Windsor Gardens, Adelaide Plains , 34°52’S, 138°39’E, May 1994, D. Hirst ( SAM NN20009 ) ; 1 male, Crystal Brook Golf Course, Mid-North , 33°21’S, 138°12’E, 29 March 1991, dug from burrow, H. Kairl ( SAM NN20013 ) ; 1 male, Angaston, Mt Lofty Ranges , 34°30’S, 139°03’E, 23 March 1950 ( SAM NN20015 ) ; 1 male, Para Wirra National Park, North Oval , 34°42’40”S, 138°49’34”E, 25 April 1989, hand collected, dead, from Latrodectus hasseltii web, D. Hirst ( SAM NN20016 ) ; 1 male, Para Hills, Adelaide Plains , 34°48’S, 138°39’E, 9 March 1982, hand collected from lounge room of house, T. Morley ( SAM NN20017 ) ; 1 male, Parafield Gardens, Adelaide, Adelaide Plains , 34°46’S, 138°36’E, 13 April 1972, hand collected from floor of house, J. Hall ( SAM NN20022 ) ; 1 male, Monarto, Murray Mallee , 35°04’S, 139°07’E, 23 May 1978, S. Gifford ( SAM NN20023 ) ; 1 male, Magill, Adelaide Plains , 34°54’S, 138°40’E, 4 May 1994, G. Davies ( SAM NN20024 ) ; 1 male, Adelaide, Adelaide Plains , 34°56’S, 138°36’E, March 1988, hand collected from swimming pool ( SAM NN20025 ) ; 1 male, Two Wells, Adelaide Plains , 34°35’S, 138°31’E, 1 April 1994, hand collected after light rain, J.A. Mcmara ( SAM NN20026 ) ; 1 male, Two Wells, Adelaide Plains , 34°35’S, 138°31’E, 1 April 1994, hand collected after light rain, J.A. Mcmara ( SAM NN20027 ) ; 1 male, Hawthorn, Adelaide Plains , 34°58’S, 138°36’E, 15 March 1985, S. Barker ( SAM NN20029 ) ; 3 males, Hawthorn, Adelaide Plains , 34°58’S, 138°36’E, 30 March 1988, S. Barker ( SAM NN20031–3 ) ; 1 male, Windsor Gardens, Adelaide Plains , 34°52’S, 138°39’E, 22 March 1989, D. Hirst ( SAM NN20034 ) ; 1 male, Magill, Adelaide Plains , 34°54’S, 138°40’E, May 1967, R. Briggs ( SAM NN20035 ) ; 1 male, Adelaide, St Peters College, Mt Lofty Ranges , 34°55’S, 138°40’E, 23 March 1953, D. McEwen and N. Birks ( SAM NN20038 ) ; 1 male, Blackwood, Mt Lofty Ra. , 35°01’S, 138°36’E, April 1967, hand collected from bathroom, Mrs Kenny ( SAM NN20039 ) ; 1 male, Wayville, Adelaide, Adelaide Plains , 34°56’S, 138°35’E, 2 July 2011 ( SAM NN20040 ) ; 1 male, Edwardstown, 12 Price Street, Adelaide Plains , 34°59’S, 138°34’E, 12 April 1989, D. Jones ( SAM NN20043 ) ; 1 male, Edwardstown, 12 Price Street, Adelaide Plains , 34°59’S, 138°34’E, 12 April 1989, D. Jones ( SAM NN20044 ) ; 1 male, Langhorne Creek , 35°25’S, 139°15’E, August 1997, R. Eckert ( SAM NN20050 ) ; 1 male, Mitcham, Adelaide Plains , 34°58’S, 138°37’E, 28 March 1984, hand collected wandering below porch light, R.V. Southcott ( SAM NN20051 ) ; 1 male, Mitcham, Adelaide Plains , 34°58’S, 138°37’E, 12 April 1978, R.V. Southcott ( SAM NN20052 ) ; 1 male, Blackwood, Mt Lofty Ranges , 35°01’S, 138°36’E, April 1967, hand collected from bathroom, Mrs Kenny ( SAM NN20060 ) ; 1 male, Blackwood, Mt Lofty Ranges , 35°01’S, 138°36’E, April 1967, hand collected from bathroom, Mrs Kenny ( SAM NN20061 ) ; 1 male, Old Boolcoomata, Olary Plains, 32°10’36”S, 140°18’04”E, August 1996, pitfall, North Olary Plains Survey , ( SAM NN20109 ) ; 1 male, Hawthorn, Adelaide Plains , 34°58’S, 138°36’E, 2 April 1981, found dead in swimming pool, S. Barker ( SAM NN20661 ) ; 1 male, Hawthorn, Adelaide Plains , 34°58’S, 138°36’E, 2 April 1981, found dead in swimming pool, S. Barker ( SAM NN20662 ) ; 5 males, Belair National Park, Mt Lofty Ranges , 35°01’S, 138°36’E, April 1967, hand collected from bathroom, Mrs Kenny ( SAM NN20678–52 ) ; 1 male, Adelaide Plains , 34°54’S, 138°37’E, 3 April 2004, S. Bishop ( SAM NN22302 ) ; 1 male, Tracy, Mid-North , 33°13’50”S, 139°02’34”E, 27 Oct–1 Nov 2003, pitfall, Mid North & Yorke Peninsula Survey ( SAM NN22401 ) ; 1 male, Happy Valley, Mt Lofty Ranges , 35°04’S, 138°34’E, 11 May 2016, found wandering around while raining, M. Wilkinson ( SAM NN28533 ) ; 1 female, Hallett , 33°20’27”S, 138°54’10”E, 15 March 2013, dug from burrow dug from burrow in dry grass paddock, S.E. Harrison, J. Schofield ( SAM NN29556 DNA) ; 1 female, Teliqua Field Site, off Eastern Road, north east of Burra , 33°36’39”S, 138°59’14”E, 16 March, dug from burrow in dry grass paddock, S.E. Harrison, J. Clayton ( SAM NN29557 DNA) ; 1 female, same data except 33°37’05”S, 138°59’17”E, 16 March ( SAM NN29558 DNA) ; 2 females, same data except 33°36’58”S, 138°59’24”E, 15 March 2013, ( SAM NN29559 DNA, NN29560 DNA) ; 3 females, reserve off East Terrace, Adelaide CBD, 34°55’42”S, 138°37’02”E, 20 March 2013, dug from burrow in dry creek bank, S.E. Harrison, N. Birks ( SAM NN29561 DNA, NN29562 DNA, NN29563 DNA) ; 1 male, 14 Nanette Drive, Valley View , 34°50’29”S, 138°39’41”E, 3 April 2013, found in shed, W. Chau ( SAM NN29564 ) ; 2 females, on road to Mount Middleback, off Port Lincoln Highway, south west of Whyalla , 33°11’16”S, 137°15’13”E, 2 May 2013, dug from burrow near paddock fence in saltbush paddock, S.E. Harrison, M.L. Harrison ( SAM NN29567 DNA, NN29568 DNA) ; 2 females, Pichi Richi Park, Pichi Richi Pass, Flinders Ranges , 32°25’46”S, 137°58’16”E, 3 May 2013, dug from burrow in dry grass, S.E. Harrison, M.L. Harrison ( SAM NN29570 DNA, NN29571 DNA) ; 1 female, Burnt Down Creek, Hilder Road, off Horrocks Highway , 32°24’51”S, 138°06’53”E, 3 May 2013, dug from burrow near creek bed, in dry grass/scrub, S.E. Harrison, M.L. Harrison ( SAM NN29574 DNA) ; 1 female, Wilmington-Hammond Road, off Horrocks Highway , 32°36’33”S, 138°08’02”E, 3 May 2013, dug from burrow under gum trees on road verge, S.E. Harrison, M.L. Harrison ( SAM NN29575 DNA) ; 1 female, Nectar Brook Road, off Main North Road , 32°37’02”S, 137°59’40”E, 3 May 2013, dug from burrow on rocky road verge next to dry grass paddock, S.E. Harrison, M.L. Harrison ( SAM NN29576 ) ; 1 female, Moralana Scenic Drive, before Black Gap , 31°42’56”S, 138°31’45”E, 4 May 2013, dug from burrow under large gum trees, S.E. Harrison, M.L. Harrison ( SAM NN29578 DNA) ; 1 female, Survey Road (dirt road between Melrose and Port Germein ), 32°50’48”S, 138°10’53”E, 5 May 2013, dug from burrow on dry creek bank in paddock under gumtree, S.E. Harrison, M.L. Harrison ( SAM NN29579 DNA) ; 1 female, Lindsay Terrace, Kadina , 33°57’25”S, 137°43’07”E, 5 May 2013, dug from burrow on dry grassy verge, S.E. Harrison, M.L. Harrison ( SAM NN29581 DNA) ; 1 female, Lindsay Terrace, Kadina , 33°57’25”S, 137°43’07”E, 5 May 2013, dug from burrow on dry grassy verge, S.E. Harrison, M.L. Harrison ( SAM NN29583 DNA) ; 1 female, Hicky’s Drive, Coobowie , 35°01’42”S, 137°45’42”E, 6 May 2013, dug from burrow on dry verge next to paddock, S.E. Harrison, M.L. Harrison ( SAM NN29584 DNA) ; 3 juveniles, Saint Vincent Highway, Port Vincent , 34°46’44”S, 137°50’08”E, 6 May 2013, dug from burrow on dry verge next to paddock, S.E. Harrison, M.L. Harrison ( SAM NN29587 DNA) ; 1 female, Arthurton Road , 34°21’58”S, 137°49’46”E, 6 May 2013, dug from burrow on dry verge next to paddock, S.E. Harrison, M.L. Harrison ( SAM NN29588 DNA) ; 1 female, Honnor Road (off Minlaton-Maitland Road ), 34°23’52”S, 137°39’59”E, 7 May 2013, dug from burrow in dry grass paddock near fence, S.E. Harrison, M.L. Harrison ( SAM NN29592 DNA) ; 1 female, Lake Fowler Road (at intersection of Edithbourgh Road and Yorketown Road ), 35°03’35”S, 137°38’45”E, 8 May 2013, dug from burrow in dry grass paddock near fence, S.E. Harrison, M.L. Harrison ( SAM NN29593 DNA) ; 1 female, on unnamed road from Port Moorowie toward Yorketown (extension of McEacherns Beach Road ), 35°04’24”S, 137°32’01”E, 8 May 2013, dug from burrow on dry verge next to paddock, S.E. Harrison, M.L. Harrison ( SAM NN29594 DNA) ; 3 females, 8 Whitewood Drive, Upper Sturt , 35°01’04”S, 138°41’26”E, 28 July 2013, dug from burrow on steep clay bank, S.E. Harrison, N. Birks ( SAM NN29596 DNA, NN29697 DNA, NN29798 DNA) ; 2 females, Pages Flat, off Pages Flat Road , 35°20’24”S, 138°31’37”E, 3 September 2013, dug from burrow on dry roadside with sparse grass, S.E. Harrison, M.L. Harrison ( SAM NN29599 DNA, NN29600 DNA) ; 1 female, Orroroo, off Orroroo-Peterborough Road , 32°44’12”S, 138°37’05”E, 12 November 2013, dug from burrow in mallee trees next to road, M.G. Rix, S.E. Harrison ( SAM NN29605 DNA) ; 3 females, Beetaloo Reservoir , on road to entrance, near gate, 33°12’38”S, 138°13’34”E, 2 April 2014, dug from burrow in mossy, grassy bank, S.E. Harrison, M.S. Harvey ( SAM NN29608 DNA, NN29609 DNA, NN229610 DNA) ; 3 females, Cobbler Creek , in reserve, 34°46’9”S, 138°40’21”E, 16 October 2014, dug from burrow in clay bank of Nature Reserve, A. Lewis ( SAM NN29611 DNA, NN29612 DNA, NN29613 DNA) ; 1 female, Morphett Vale , 35°08’01”S, 138°31’4”E, 15 May 2013, hand collected in garden, N. Birks ( SAM NN29614 DNA) ; 2 females, Black Hill Conservation Park , 34°51’46”S, 138°43’26”, 22 December 2014, dug from burrow in natural clay bank, S.E. Harrison, M.L. Harrison ( SAM NN29620 DNA, NN29621 DNA); 1 female, Antsey Hill Conservation Park, Lower North East Road, Horton, 34°50’28”S, 138°44’44”, 1 April 2015, dug from burrow in high rocky bank on side of road, S.E. Harrison ( SAM NN29624 DNA) ; 1 female, 42–43 Lower North East Road, Houghton , 34°49’48”S, 138°45’34”, 1 April 2015, dug from burrow in very hard rocky bank, S.E. Harrison ( SAM NN29625 DNA); 2 females, Para Wirra Conservation Park, Yattalunga, 34°41’28”S, 138°49’30”, 1 April 2015, dug from burrow in clay bank, S.E. Harrison, B. Horton ( SAM NN29627 DNA, NN29628 DNA) ; 1 juvenile, same data ( SAM NN29629 DNA) ; 1 female, Teringie Drive, Norton Summit , 34°54’46”S, 138°42’35”, 30 April 2015, dug from burrow in driveway cutting, S.E. Harrison, N. Birks ( SAM NN29631 DNA); 1 female, Beetaloo reservoir, on road to entrance, near gate, 33°12’38”S, 138°13’34”E, 5 May 2014, dug from burrow in mossy, grassy bank, S.E. Harrison ( SAM NN29632 ); 1 female, Belair National Park, 35°00’18”S, 138°38’07”, 20 August 2015, dug from burrow in mossy bank on side of walking trail, S.E. Harrison, D. Stringer and A. Lewis ( SAM NN29637 DNA) ; 1 female, Brown Hill Conservation Park , 34°59’14”S, 138°39’11”E, 16 February 2016, dug from burrow in mossy bank on side of walking trail, S.E. Harrison, D. Bass ( SAM NN29640 DNA) ; 1 female, Mount Crawford Forest Reserve , 34°42’41”S, 138°55’57”E, 16 February 2016, dug from burrow in clay bank next to roadside, S.E. Harrison, M. Harrison ( SAM NN29641 DNA) ; 1 female, Kapunda , 34°20’28”S, 138°58’36”E, 2 December 2014, pulled out of burrow with optiscope, J. Clayton ( SAM NN29796 DNA) ; 1 female, Terowie , 33°15’28”S, 138°54’26”, 2 April 2013, dug from burrow, J. Clayton ( SAM NN29797 DNA); 1 female, Burra, 33°40’44”S, 138°57’43”E, 27 September 2014, pulled out of burrow with optiscope, J. Clayton ( SAM NN29798 DNA); 1 female, Tiliqua Reserve, 33°36’51”S, 138°59’8”E, 15 July 2013, dug from burrow, J. Clayton ( SAM NN29799 DNA); 1 female, Burra, 33°40’44”S, 138°57’43”E, 23 September 2013, dug from burrow, J. Clayton ( SAM NN29801 DNA); 1 female, Tiliqua Reserve, 33°36’51”S, 138°59’8”E, 15 July 2013, dug from burrow, J. Clayton ( SAM NN29802 DNA); 1 female, Burra, 33°40’44”S, 138°57’43”E, 27 September 2014, dug from burrow, J. Clayton ( SAM NN29803 DNA); 1 female, Kapunda, 33°20’28”S, 138°58’36”E, 2 December 2014, dug from burrow, J. Clayton ( SAM NN29804 DNA); 1 female, Jamestown, 33°16’6”S, 138°37’21”E, 23 February 2015, pulled out of burrow with optiscope, J. Clayton ( SAM NN29806 DNA); 1 female, Hallett, 33°20’9”S, 138°53’18”E, 18 July 2013, dug from burrow, J. Clayton ( SAM NN29807 DNA); 1 female, Baldina station, near Burra, 33°39’54”S, 139°2’2”E, 18 July 2013, dug from burrow, J. Clayton ( SAM NN29808 DNA); 1 male, Mallala, 34°27’S, 138°31’E, 1900 ( KS.43729); 1 male, Hawthorn, 29 Angas Road, 34°58’S, 138°36’E, 17 May 1969, S. Barker ( WAM T 141078 ); 2 males, Torrens Gorge, Adelaide, 34°51’S, 138°44’E, 20 March 1974, S. Barker ( WAM T 141079 ); 1 male, Hawthorn, 34°58’S, 138°36’E, 1 April 1983, S. Barker ( WAM T 141080 ); 3 males, Hawthorn, 34°58’S, 138°36’E, 1 April 1983, S. Barker ( WAM T 141081 –3 ); 1 male, Westbourne Park, 60 Monmouth Road, 34°58’S, 138°35’E, 4 August 1954, K. Main ( WAM T 141098 ); 1 male, Dublin, 34°27’S, 138°21’E, 16 May 1986, B.Y. Main ( WAM T 141105 ); 2 males, Hawthorn, 34°58’S, 138°36’E, 18 April 1986, S. Barker ( WAM T 141115 ). Victoria: 1 female, Chinkapook, off Pier-Millan-Chinkapook Road, 35°11’20”S, 142°56’16”E, 13 November 2013, dug from burrow in mallee woodland, M.G. Rix, S.E. Harrison ( SAM NN29606 DNA); 1 female, Meringur Flora and Fauna Reserve , N. of Meringur , 34°22’01”S, 141°20’04”E, 14 November 2013, dug from burrow in Casuarina woodland, M.G. Rix, S.E. Harrison ( SAM NN29607 DNA).

Diagnosis. Males of B. aurea can be distinguished from those of B. maryae , B. plata , B. birksi , B. newtoni , B. hortoni , B. parva , B. olea , B. tariae , B. carnarvon and B. raveni by the prolateral clasping spurs on tibia I, each with raised cuticular bases and bearing multiple terminal peg-like macrosetae ( Fig. 5 G–I); from those of B. bella , by the absence of a dark dorsal cardiac stripe ( Fig. 5A ); from those of B. pidax , by the presence of thickened spine-like setae on the cymbium ( Fig. 5 J–L); from those of B. emmottorum , by the square eye group ( Fig. 5D ); from those of B. tunstilli , by the spinules of the palpal tibia being similar to or only slightly shorter in length to those on the RTA ( Fig. 5J, L ); and from those of B. gemmelli , by the relatively long RTA (with the field of RTA spinules extending further onto the tibia) ( Fig. 5J ), and by the moderate to weak abdominal pattern ( Fig. 5A ). Females of B. aurea can be distinguished from those of B. bassi , B. mainae , B. maryae , B. wingellina and B. nullarborensis by the combined absence of a trapezoidal eye group ( Fig. 6D ), the absence of golden hairs on the carapace and the absence of dark brown on the book lungs (in contrast to abdomen colour) ( Fig. 6C ); from those of B. birksi by abdominal chevrons being lighter brown (as opposed to chevrons being dark brown to black) ( Fig. 6A ); and from those of B. maryae by the presence of labial cuspules ( Fig. 6E, F ).

All life stages of B. aurea can also be distinguished from those of other species with sequence data except B. bassi by the following nucleotide substitutions (n = 71 specimens): T(547), A or G(549); and from those of B. bassi by the following nucleotide substitutions: T(68), T(102), C(199), T(216), A(255), G(264), T(336), C(339), A(367), T(426), G(433), C(462), C(470), T(479), G(520), C(535), G(546).

Description. Male (SAM NN29564). Medium-sized idiopid spider (total length 16.3).

Colour (in ethanol; Fig. 5 A–C): Carapace, legs and pedipalp golden-brown, with darker line between fovea and eye group ( Fig. 5A ); sternum also, darker towards anterior margins; labium golden-brown, maxillae slightly darker yellow brown, chelicerae dark red-brown ( Fig. 5E, F ); abdomen yellow-brown without noticeable chevron pattern ( Fig. 5A, C ).

Cephalothorax: Carapace 7.4 long, 5.9 wide, 4.7 high, 1.3 times longer than wide; oval ( Fig. 5A ), caput low, ocular area raised ( Fig. 5C ); cuticle smooth, with pits outward from fovea and both sides of caput; fovea straight; row of thickened setae between fovea and eye group; carapace sparsely setose, with indistinct lines of setae radiating from fovea, concentrated and forming fringe on lateral margins; median clump of thickened setae on clypeus and both sides of eye group ( Fig. 5D ). Length of median clypeus less than 1.0; anterior margin slightly convex. Eye group 1.1 wide, 1.1 long, 0.2 of carapace width; anterior eye row strongly procurved, PLE–PLE/ALE–ALE ratio 1.0; posterior eye row very slightly recurved; AME only slightly smaller than ALE and separated by about AME diameter; PLE only slightly larger than ALE and separated by just over about PLE diameter; PME pale, about half size of PLE, and separated from PLE by less than its own diameter ( Fig. 5D ). Labium without cuspules ( Fig. 5F ).Sternum 3.4 long, 2.8 wide, evenly setose; three pairs of faint sigilla ( Fig. 5E ). Maxillae with 5 (left) and 7 (right) cuspules ( Fig. 5E, F ).

Legs: diffusely setose and spinose on all surfaces; tarsi I, II slightly ventrally flattened; tarsi and distal metatarsi I, II scopulate ( Fig. 5 G–I). Paired tarsal claws with 1 row of ventral teeth: leg I p6 (6 large), r6 (6 large); leg II p5 (5 large), r5 (5 large); leg III p5 (5 large), r4 (4 large); leg IV r5 (5 large), r5 (5 large).

Spination: Tibia I with prolateral clasping spurs, distal-most spur with 2 terminal peg-like macrosetae, proximal-most with 3 terminal peg-like macrosetae ( Fig. 5 G–I); r3. Leg II: tibia p1; metatarsus p3; metatarsus p1, r4. Leg III: patella p3; tibia p2, r1; metatarsus p6, r9; tarsus p3, r5. Leg IV: tibia p1, r1; metatarsus p9, r2; tarsus p8, r5.

Leg and pedipalp measurements: Length of legs IV> I> II> III. Leg I: femur 6.2, patella 3.2, tibia 4.4, metatarsus 4.6, tarsus 2.7, total = 21.9. Leg II: femur 5.2, patella 2.7, tibia 3.7, metatarsus 4.5, tarsus 2.3, total = 18.4. Leg III: femur 6.2, patella 3.2, tibia 4.4, metatarsus 4.6, tarsus 2.7, total = 21.9. Leg IV: femur 6.2, patella 3.5, tibia 6.1, metatarsus 6.5, tarsus 3.4, total = 25.7. Pedipalp: femur 4.9, patella 2.1, tibia 3.3, tarsus 1.5, total = 11.8.

Pedipalp: Femur with dorsal spines, patella with thickened ventral setae; tibia short and swollen, RTA short and pointed, covered in short, dense spinules for just over half distance between base of apophysis and distal tibia; long, erect setae on ventral tibia; bulb uniform, globular; embolus simple, slender, tapering, tip noticeably twisted, just over length of bulb; cymbium covered with rows of short spinules, getting longer and denser on distal cymbium ( Fig. 5 J–L).

Abdomen: Setose, oval, 2 pairs of unsclerotised dorsal sigilla; 8.9 long, 5.7 wide ( Fig. 5A ).

Variation (n=7): Carapace 4.8–7.6 long, 5.0–6.2 wide, no labial cuspules. Spination: Leg I: tibia r1–3, metatarsus r0–3. Leg II: tibia p1–2, r3–7; metatarsus p0–3, r3–8, tarsus r0–5. Leg III: patella p0–4; tibia p1–4, r–3; metatarsus p6–11, r5–12. Leg IV: tibia p0–2, r0–3; metatarsus p7–11, r3–8; tarsus p0–0, r1–5.

Female (SAM NN29623 DNA). Large idiopid spider (total length 19.4).

Colour (in ethanol; Fig. 6 A–C): Carapace, legs and pedipalp golden-brown, with darker line between fovea and eye group ( Fig. 6A ); sternum golden-brown, darker towards anterior margins; labium as sternum, maxillae slightly darker yellow brown, chelicerae dark reddish brown ( Fig. 6E, F ); abdomen yellowish brown with faint chevron pattern ( Fig. 6A, C ); dorsal femur the darkest ( Fig. 6G, H ).

Cephalothorax: Carapace 8.6 long, 7.2 wide, 7.2 high, 1.2 times longer than wide; oval ( Fig. 6A ); caput moderately raised, ocular area flat ( Fig. 6C ); cuticle uniformly smooth; fovea procurved; one row of thick setae between fovea and eye group; small, fine setae scattered very sparsely across carapace, concentrated and form very fine, indistinct fringe around lateral margins; median clump of thickened setae on clypeus ( Fig. 6D ). Length of median clypeus less than 1.0; anterior margin slightly convex. Eye group 1.7 wide, 1.3 long, 0.2 of carapace width; anterior eye row strongly procurved, PLE–PLE/ALE–ALE ratio 1.1; posterior eye row straight; AME slightly smaller than ALE and separated by about ALE diameter; ALE and PLE separated by about twice the ALE diameter; PME pale, only slightly smaller than PLE, and separated from PLE by just less than its own diameter ( Fig. 6D ). Labium with ca. 11 cuspules ( Fig. 6F ).Sternum 5.1 long, 4.2 wide, moderately setose with setae densely grouper and longer around margins; 2 pairs of faint sigilla of similar side near posterior half of lateral margins ( Fig. 6E ). Maxillae with ca. 44 (left) and 24 (right) cuspules ( Fig. 6E, F ).

Legs: moderately setose and diffusely spinose, with retrolateral side of all legs being least setose and dorsal sides of III and IV with thick, dense, spine-like setae; distinct upright setae on metatarsi I, II; femora I, II, and pedipalp laterally bowed; tarsi and metatarsi I, II, and palpal tarsi heavily scopulate ( Fig. 6 G–I). Paired tarsal claws: leg I p2 (1 large, 1 small) r0; leg II p2 (1 large, 1 small), r2 (1 large, 1 small); leg III p0, r0; right leg IV p2 (2 large), r0. Pedipalp claw with 2 large teeth.

Spination: Leg I: tibia p3, r4; metatarsus p2, r5; tarsus p2, r4 ( Fig. 6G, H ). Leg II: tibia p2, r4; metatarsus p3, r7; tarsus p2, r4. Leg III: patella p5; tibia p6, metatarsus p7, r6; tarsus with ventral patch of 9 short spines. Right leg IV: metatarsus p7, r1; tarsus with 16 spines ventrally. Pedipalp: patella p1; tibia p6, r6; tarsus p3, r3.

Leg and pedipalp measurements: Length of legs IV> I> II> III. Leg I: femur 5.0, patella 3.4, tibia 3.0, metatarsus 2.3, tarsus 1.8, total = 15.5. Leg II: femur 4.5, patella 3.2, tibia 2.7, metatarsus 2.4, tarsus 1.9, total = 14.7. Leg III: femur 4.0, patella 3.1, tibia 2.6, metatarsus 2.7, tarsus 2.00, total = 14.4. Leg IV (right): femur 5.7, patella 4.0, tibia 4.8, metatarsus 4.2, tarsus 2.3, total = 21.0. Pedipalp: femur 4.5, patella 2.6, tibia 2.5, tarsus 3.4, total = 13.0.

Abdomen: Setose, oval, three pairs of unsclerotised dorsal sigilla; 10.8 long, 7.8 wide ( Fig. 6A ).

Genitalia: Spermathecae paired, simple, unbranched, stout and outward facing, oval-shaped, covered in opaque mottled brown nodules ( Fig. 6I ).

Variation (n=7): Carapace 6.3–9.9 long, 5.4–8.7 wide, 7–17 labial cuspules. Spination: Leg I: tibia p2–7, r4–7; metatarsus p2–4, r5–6; tarsus p1–2, r2–4. Leg II: tibia p0–2, r4–5; metatarsus p3–5, r5–7; tarsus p2–3, r4–7. Leg III: patella p3–5; tibia p1–6, r0–1; metatarsus p7–10, r1–4; tarsus with about 10–20 spines ventrally. Pedipalp: patella p0–1, r0–1; tibia p4–9, r5–7; tarsus p1–3, r1–4.

Distribution. Blakistonia aurea has the broadest distribution of all species in the genus. It is found throughout the north-eastern Eyre Peninsula, the Yorke Peninsula, Flinders Ranges, Fleurieu Peninsula, and Mount Lofty Ranges, as well as western Victoria and far south-western New South Wales ( Fig. 30 ).

Remarks. Blakistonia aurea reaches a high population density in some areas around Adelaide and the Fleurieu Peninsula in optimal conditions. The preferred habitat is clay banks, and the spiders can often be found on roadside cuttings and creek banks. Males are often found after rain in swimming pools or wandering on verandas. The spiders build a characteristic thick D-shaped plug burrow ( Fig. 2 A–C). Rainbow and Pulleine (1918) and Main (1985) observed that spiders sometimes construct a burrow with an unusual crenulated edge, simulating a clam-shell ( Fig. 2A ). These populations were sampled and included in the molecular study, which confirmed that they did fall within B. aurea , suggesting that this is a behavioural adaption to certain conditions. We have examined the holotype of Ag. villosa and agree with its synonymy following Main (1985).

Figures

FIGURE 2. Images of Blakistonia burrows. A, B. aurea Hogg, 1902 burrow with scalloped edge from Humbug Scrub, South Australia; B, B. aurea burrow from Parra Wirra Recreation Park, South Australia; C, B. aurea burrow, Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia; D–E, B. bassi sp. n. burrow from Ashton, Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia; F, B. birksi sp. n. burrow from Mark Oliphant Conservation Park, Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia; G, B. mainae sp. n. burrow from Mount Ragged, Cape Arid National Park, Western Australia; H–I, B. maryae sp. n. burrow showing twig-lining from Scrubby Peak, Gawler Ranges, South Australia; J, B. maryae sp. n. burrow showing twig-lining from Tumby Bay, Eyre Peninsula, South Australia; K, B. maryae sp. n. burrow from Gawler Ranges, South Australia; L, B. nullarborensis sp. n. burrow from Cocklebiddy, Western Australia. All images by S. Harrison except: C by N. Birks; H, by N. Birks; I, by N. Birks; all used with permission.

FIGURE 5. Blakistonia aurea Hogg, male (SAM NN29564): A, habitus, dorsal view; B, habitus, ventral view; C, habitus, lateral view; D, eye group, dorsal view; E, sternum, ventral view; F, maxillae and labium, ventral view; G, left leg I, prolateral view; H, left leg I, clasping spur, prolateral view; I, left leg I, ventral view; J, left pedipalp, prolateral view; K, left pedipalp, retrolateral view; L, left pedipalp, proventral view. Scale bars = 5 mm (A, G), 2 mm (J).

FIGURE 6. Blakistonia aurea Hogg, female (SAM NN29623): A, habitus, dorsal view; B, habitus, ventral view; C, habitus, lateral view; D, eye group, dorsal view; E, sternum, ventral view; F, maxillae and labium, ventral view; G, left leg I, prolateral view; H, left leg I, retrolateral view; J, spermathecae. Scale bars = 5 mm (A), 2 mm (G).

FIGURE 30. Distribution of Blakistonia aurea specimens across South Australia, western Victoria and western New South Wales.