Kochosa asterix, Framenau & Castanheira & Yoo, 2023

Framenau, Volker W., Castanheira, Pedro De S. & Yoo, Jung-Sun, 2023, The artoriine wolf spiders of Australia: the new genus Kochosa and a key to genera (Araneae: Lycosidae), Zootaxa 5239 (3), pp. 301-357 : 317-320

Kochosa asterix sp. nov.

( Figs 6 , 8A–E , 9A–D )

Holotype. Male , Smith Lake , Sydney (33º53'S 151º13'E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA), Macquarie University, September 1972 ( AM KS.101732).

Etymology. The specific epithet honours Astèrix, the bravest and smartest of all Gaul warriors and best friend of Obelix, both fictional characters created by the late René Goscinny and the late Albert Uderzo (e.g., Goscinny & Uderzo 1961).

Other material examined (67 males, 14 females, 1 female with eggsac, 3 juveniles). AUSTRALIA: New South Wales . 6 males, Beecroft Peninsula, northern headland of Jervis Bay , 35º03'03''S 150º47'21''E ( AM KS.63459) ; 3 males, same locality ( AM KS.63470) ; 2 males, Bondi State Forest , woodlot 3, 37º08'S 149º09'E ( AM) ; 1 male, Booderee National Park, southern headland of Jervis Bay , 35º08'49''S 150º45'05''E ( AM KS.62940) ; 2 males, same locality ( AM KS.62952) ; 2 males, same locality ( AM KS.62964) ; 2 males, same locality ( AM KS.62976) ; 2 males, Booti Booti National Park , 32º14'44''S 152º32'33''E ( AM KS.61944) ; 1 male, 2 females, same locality ( AM KS.61940) ; 1 female, Booti Booti National Park , 32º16′15″S 152º31′42″E ( AM KS.61946) ; 2 males, same locality ( AM KS.61945) ; 1 male, Booti Booti National Park , 32º14'28''S 152º32'50''E ( AM KS.61941) ; 1 female, same locality ( AM KS.85056) ; 4 males, Brisbane Water National Park , 2 km E of Mt Kariong, 33º27'50''S 151º17'04''E ( AM KS.61799) ; 1 female, Coomerang Road, Dampier State Forest , 36º04'01''S 149º54'50''E ( AM KS.68645) ; 5 males, 1 female, 1 juv., Currawong, 33º36'S 151º18'E ( AM KS.85052) ; 10 males, East Boyd State Forest , Anteater Road, 37º12'S 149º45'E ( AM KS.116416, KS.116553, KS.116563, KS.116567) ; 6 males, East Boyd State Forest , Banksia Road, 37º14'S 149º45'E) ( AM KS.116588, KS.116605, KS.116611) ; 1 female, Kuring-gai Chase National Park , Wahroonga, 33º39'S 151º13'E ( AM KS.78390) ; 1 male, Kuring-gai Chase National Park , Waratah Track, 33º38'16''S 151º15'12''E ( AM KS.63277) ; 6 males, Maroota State Forest , 33º31'S 150º59'E ( AM KS.73323, KS.73351, KS.73367, KS.73375, KS.73414, KS.73434) ; 1 male, Mcquarie University, Smith Lake , Sydney, 33º53'S 151º13'E ( WAM T53566 ) ; 1 male, Woronora Dam catchment, end of Darkes Forest Road, 34º12'41''S 150º54'00''E ( AM KS.63151) ; 2 males, Woronora Dam catchment, Fire Road No. 9, E of Bee Creek , 34º08'53''S 150º55'37''E ( AM KS.63201) ; 2 males, Wyrrabalong National Park , 33º16'47''S 151º32'40''E ( AM KS.61942, KS.61943) . Queensland: 1 female, Enterprise Mine, 27º36'44''S 153º26'27''E ( QM S55592 ) ; 2 females, same locality ( QM S55570 ) ; 1 female, Enterprise Mine, 27º34'27''S 153º26'20''E ( QM S56365 ) ; 2 females, Enterprise Mine, 27º36'48''S 153º26'51''E ( QM S56368 ) ; 1 female, 1 juv., Enterprise Mine, 27º33'37''S 153º27'06''E ( QM S56502 ) ; 1 female, Mt Coolum , 26º34'S 153º05'E ( QM S71610 ) . Tasmania: 1 male, Lilydale, Merthyr Park, 41º14'S, 147º11'E ( QVMAG 13 :44910) . Victoria. 1 male, Upper Yarra Region , 8 km ENE McMahons Creek, 37º41'S 145º55'E ( MV K-7724) .

Diagnosis. The male of K. asterix sp. nov. is the only representative in the genus with a prominent, retrolaterally extended basoembolic apophysis of the pedipalp in which the apical edge is folded ventrally ( Fig. 8C, E ). It is most similar to K. fleurae sp. nov., but in that species the embolus is broad and tapering ( Fig. 14E ), whereas it is long and slender with an apical kink in K. asterix sp. nov. The epigyne of female K. asterix sp. nov. is a flat plate without a distinct median septum, similar to K. australia sp. nov. and K. mendum sp. nov., but it has two distinct posterior incisions ( Fig. 9C ) that lack in the latter species ( Figs 5C, E , 16C ).

Description.

Male (based on holotype, AM KS.101732; pedipalp AM KS.61941).

Cephalothorax. Dorsally dark brown with broad lighter central band that narrows slightly posteriorly; lateral light bands indistinct ( Fig. 8A ). Sternum dark brown, indistinctly mottled black ( Fig. 8B ).

Abdomen. Dorsally olive-grey with sparse and stout black setae; lighter cardiac mark continuous, narrower posteriorly and there surrounded by a dark brown edge ( Fig. 8A ). Venter light brown ( Fig. 8B ).

Pedipalps (AM KS.61941) ( Fig. 8C–E ). Tegulum well developed; embolus long and thin and apically kinked; basoembolic apophysis prominent and with its apical edge bent ventrally; tegular apophysis heavily reduced and transparent, almost entirely concealed by apical edge of tegulum ( Fig. 8A ).

Legs. Brown with light annulations; spination of leg I: femur: 3 dorsal (apical one small), 1 apicoprolateral; tibia: 3 ventral pair (apical ones small); 2 prolateral; 1 retrolateral; metatarsus: 3 ventral pairs; 1 apicoventral; 2 prolateral.

Measurements. TL 3.79, CL 2.21, CW 1.41. Eyes: AME 0.07, ALE 0.05, PME 0.20, PLE 0.20. Row of eyes: AE 0.40, PME 0.61, PLE 0.72. Sternum (length/width) 0.96/0.80. Labium (length/width) 0.43/0.25. AL 1.67, AW 1.08. Legs: Length of segments: Pedipalp 0.76+0.71+-+0.68=2.15, I 1.31+1.79+1.14+0.84=5.08, II 1.30+1.68+1.1 5+0.74=4.87, III 1.16+1.28+1.14+0.68=4.26, IV 1.59+1.99+1.85+0.94=6.37.

Variation. Size (range, mean ± s.d.): TL 3.40–4.15, 3.76 ± 0.23; CL 1.95–2.60, 2.16 ± 0.18; CW 1.22–1.55, 1.34 ± 0.09, n = 10. There is little colour variation between the male specimens examined, but some are darker than the holotype illustrated here.

Female (based on QM S55592 ; epigyne AM KS.78390).

Cephalothorax. Dorsally dark brown with broad light median band that is narrowing posteriorly ( Fig. 9A ). Sternum dark brown with some light discolourations ( Fig. 9B ). Abdomen. Dorsally olive grey with light spots; light cardiac mark continuous, narrowing posteriorly and there surrounded by indistinct dark brown border ( Fig. 9A ). Venter light brown with light discolourations ( Fig. 9B ).

Epigyne. Ventral view: wide, flat sclerotised plate with a broad posterior lip forming posterior incisions lateral to it ( Fig. 9C ); dorsal view (QM S56368 ): spermathecal head spherical; spermathecal stalk slightly bent, attaching posteromedial to spermathecal head; vulval chamber semi-spherical at base of spermathecal stalk ( Fig. 9D ).

Legs. Light brown with darker annulations; spination of leg I: femur: 3 dorsal, 1 apicoprolateral; tibia: 3 ventral pairs, 2 prolateral; metatarsus: 3 ventral pairs, 1 apicoventral, 2 prolateral.

Measurements. TL 5.00, CL 2.48, CW 1.52. Eyes: AME 0.14, ALE 0.11, PME 0.36, PLE 0.33. Row of eyes: AE 0.79, PME 1.06, PLE 1.26. Sternum (length/width) 1.05/0.81. Labium (length/width) 0.52/0.67. AL 2.67, AW 2.00. Legs: length of segments (femur + patella/tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): Pedipalp 0.23+0.76+- +0.62=1.61, I 1.48+1.81+1.05+0.71=5.05, II 1.38+1.67+1.05+0.69=4.78, III 1.29+1.48+1.14+0.67=4.57, IV 1.81 +2.19+2.05+0.95=7.00.

Variation: Size (range, mean ± s.d.): TL 5.00–11.25, 6.37 ± 2.55; CL 2.40–5.38, 3.17 ± 1.34; CW 1.52–3.13, 2.05 ± 0.67, n = 7. There is little colour variation in the females of K. asterix sp. nov. examined by us, with some more distinct contrasts between darker and lighter parts.

Life history and habitat preferences. Mature males and females of K. asterix sp. nov. were mainly collected between November and December, but some as early as September. It appears to be an open forest and heathland species but habitat information on labels of specimens is sparse, including “banksia”, “scrubby gully”, “mallee” and “heathland”.

Distribution. Kochosa asterix sp. nov. is restricted to south-eastern Australia, from south-eastern Queensland through New South Wales and Victoria into Tasmania ( Fig. 6 ).

Figures

FIGURE 5A–E. Kochosa australia sp. nov., female, SAM NN13499 (A–D) and QM S57924 (E). A, B, female habitus, dorsal and ventral view; C, E, epigyne, epigyne, ventral view; D, epigyne, dorsal view. Scale bars: A, B, 1.0 mm; C–E, 0.2 mm.

FIGURE 6. Distribution records of Kochosa australia sp. nov., K. aero sp. nov., K. asterix sp. nov. and K. confusa sp. nov.

FIGURE 8A–E. Kochosa asterix sp. nov., male holotype, AM KS.101732 (A–B) and male (AM KS.61941) (C–E). A, B, male habitus, dorsal and ventral view; C, D, male, left pedipalp, ventral and retrolateral view; E, male, left pedipalp, apical section. Scale bars: A, B, 1.0 mm; C, D, 0.2 mm; E, 0.1 mm.

FIGURE 9A–D. Kochosa asterix sp. nov., female, QM S55592 (A–C) and AM KS.78390 (D). A, B, female habitus, dorsal and ventral view; C, epigyne, epigyne, ventral view; D, epigyne, dorsal view. Scale bars: A, B, 1.0 mm; C, D, 0.2 mm.

FIGURE 14A–E. Kochosa fleurae sp. nov., male holotype, MV K-8672. A, B, male habitus, dorsal and ventral view; C, D, male, left pedipalp, ventral and retrolateral view; E, male, left pedipalp, apical section. Scale bars: A, B, 1.0 mm; C, D, 0.2 mm; E, 0.1 mm.

FIGURE 16A–D. Kochosa mendum sp. nov., female, QM S51900 (A, B, D) and AM KS.82793 (C). A, B, female habitus, dorsal and ventral view (epigyne removed); C, epigyne, ventral view; D, epigyne, dorsal view. Scale bars: A, B, 1.0 mm; C, D, 0.2 mm.