Meedo yarragin, PLATNICK, 2002

PLATNICK, NORMAN I., 2002, A Revision Of The Australasian Ground Spiders Of The Families Ammoxenidae, Cithaeronidae, Gallieniellidae, And Trochanteriidae (Araneae: Gnaphosoidea), Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2002 (271), pp. 1-1 : 1-

Meedo yarragin , new species Figures 57–60 ; Map 3

TYPE: Male holotype taken under granite slab at Yarragin Rock , 31 ° 02 ̍ S, 117 ° 57 ̍ E, Western Australia (Sept. 7, 1999; J. Waldock), deposited in WAM (99/403) .

ETYMOLOGY: The specific name is a noun in apposition taken from the type locality.

DIAGNOSIS: Males resemble those of M. houstoni but have a longer embolus, which originates retrolaterally on the palpal bulb (fig. 57); females also resemble those of M. houstoni but have a shorter epigynal atrium (fig. 59).

MALE: Total length 4.7. Coloration as in M. houstoni except abdominal dorsum gray with paler cardiac area and muscle impressions. Chelicerae porrect, endites relatively short. All tarsi with cuticular cracks. Retrolateral tibial apophysis short, triangular (fig. 58); embolus long, originating on retrolateral side of bulb, extending past distal end of bulb, resting in groove of arched conductor (fig. 57).

FEMALE: Total length 4.6. Coloration as in male. Chelicerae porrect, endites relatively long. Tarsi II–IV with cuticular cracks. Epigynum elongate, anterior half with short, narrow atrium (fig. 59); anterior spermathecal ducts forming full circle (fig. 60).

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED: Western Australia: Durokoppin Nature Reserve , 31 ° 30 ̍ S, 117 ° 44 ̍ E, Nov. 1–13, 1987 (D. Mitchell, WAM 99 /292), 1♀, Dec. 10–21, 1987 (D. Mitchell, WAM 99 /293), 1♀ ; 40 km N Johnston Lakes , S Coolgardie, 32 ° 25 ̍ S, 120 ° 30 ̍ E, Jan. 1, 1977 (A., M. Douglas, WAM 99 /294), 13 .

DISTRIBUTION: Known only from Western Australia (map 3).

Figures

Map 3. Records of Meedo houstoni Main (circles), M. yarragin, new species (squares), M. ovtsharenkoi, new species (diamond), and M. mullaroo, new species (stars).

Figs. 57–60. Meedo yarragin, new species. 57. Left male palp, ventral view. 58. Same, retrolateral view. 59. Epigynum, ventral view. 60. Same, dorsal view.