Lamponega forceps, PLATNICK, 2000

PLATNICK, NORMAN I., 2000, A Relimitation And Revision Of The Australasian Ground Spider Family Lamponidae (Araneae: Gnaphosoidea), Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2000 (245), pp. 1-328 : 150-151

Lamponega forceps , new species Figures 338–340 ; Map 40

TYPE: Male holotype taken near Cape Range No. 2 well, Cape Range , 228069S, 1148009E, Western Australia (May 1965; G. Kendrick, B. Hitchin), deposited in WAM (96/242) .

ETYMOLOGY: The specific name is a noun in apposition, referring to the remarkable appearance of the sternum, which looks like it has been squeezed in a pair of forceps (fig. 338).

DIAGNOSIS: The bizarre sternal modifications resemble those of L. serpentine but males differ in having the base of the embolus directed more to the side (fig. 339).

MALE: Total length 6.1. Coloration as in L. arcoona , except longitudinal white lines on abdominal dorsum wider, more pronounced; legs orange. Palpal femur short, thick, unmodified; tibia without retrolateral apophysis, with slight retrodistal excavation (fig. 340); cymbium not basally excavated; tegulum not extending beyond tip of tibia, but with pronounced bulge on prolateral side; embolus with base prolaterally directed, tip relatively short (fig. 339).

FEMALE: Unknown.

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED: None.

DISTRIBUTION: Known only from the Cape Range, Western Australia (map 40).

Figures

Map 40. Records of Lamponega arcoona, new species (circles), L. forceps, new species (square), and L. serpentine, new species (triangle).

Figs. 338–340. Lamponega forceps, new species. 338. Cephalothorax, lateral view. 339. Left male palp, ventral view. 340. Same, retrolateral view.