Artoria howquaensis Framenau, 2002

Framenau, Volker W. & Baehr, Barbara C., 2018, The wolf spider genus Artoria in New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, Australia (Araneae, Lycosidae, Artoriinae), Evolutionary Systematics 2 (2), pp. 169-241 : 169

Artoria howquaensis Framenau, 2002 Figs 23, 25 A–H, 46J Howqua River Artoria

Artoria howquaensis Framenau, 2002: 217-218, figs 9 A–G, 10; Framenau et al. 2006: 28, figs 59-61.

Material examined.

Holotype male, Howqua River at Mansfield–Woods Point Road Bridge (37°13'S 146°10'E, Victoria), 11 February 1998, riparian gravel bank, V. W. Framenau (NMV K7467). Paratypes: 8 males, 5 females, data as holotype (NMV K7468) (examined).

Other material examined.

7 males and 1 female in 3 records (all NSW). AUSTRALIA: New South Wales: 3 males, 1 female, Private land 'Camp Cobark’, 80 m off Scone Road and 3 km SE of Cobark, 31°56 ’05” S, 151°42 ’27” E (AM KS122802); 1 male, Severn State Forest, 25 km NNW of Ashford, 8 km along Appletree Road, 29°10 ’12” S, 151°04 ’23” E (AM KS82788); 3 males, Yengo National Park, approx. 40 m from track, 32°56 ’46” S, 150°54 ’33” E (AM KS122271).

Diagnosis.

Amongst Australian Artoria , A. howquaensis is most similar to A. parvula , a tropical species not yet found in NSW or the ACT. This species most easily diagnosed by its body colouration, being very dark brown to black with distinct white lateral bands on the carapace (Fig. 25A, B), this colour pattern being more distinct in live specimens. The tegular apophysis is similar to those of the booderee -group (i.e. two-lobed), but in contrast to those species, the basal lobe is pointy (not rounded) and directed ventrally (Fig. 25E). The epigyne is poorly sclerotised with the Y-shaped internal genitalia visible through the cuticle (Fig. 25G, H).

Description.

Artoria howquaensis has been described in detail ( Framenau 2002; Framenau et al. 2006). A diagnosis and diagnostic images (Figs 25 A–H, 46J) are provided here to facilitate identification, in particular from similar newly-described species.

Life history and habitat preferences.

Artoria howquaensis is a riparian species which has previously been found in open habitats along the margins of rivers and springs. The records in NSW are consistent with this habitat preference as the species was found in open, grassy and swampy areas.

Mature males and females were found in December, with further records of males in March.

Distribution.

In NSW, A. howquaensis has been found in scattered records in the northern half of the state east and west of the Great Dividing Range in the Nandewar (NAN), NSW North Coast (NNC) and Sydney Basin (SYB) bioregion (Fig. 23). The species is likely more widespread in the state, but riparian habitats are rarely sampled. The species is known to occur throughout Victoria and South Australia ( Framenau 2002; 2005; Framenau et al. 2006).