Miturgiella vulgaris, Raven & Hebron & Williams, 2023

Raven, Robert J., Hebron, Wendy & Williams, Kylie, 2023, Revisions of Australian ground-hunting spiders VI: five new stripe-less miturgid genera and 48 new species (Miturgidae: Miturginae), Zootaxa 5358 (1), pp. 1-117 : 99-105

Miturgiella vulgaris sp. nov.

Figs 3f , 79–81

Diagnosis. Males differs from those of Xistera jandateae sp. nov. in the distal position of the short RTA scoop, being long and basal in Xis. jandateae sp. nov., and the embolus and median apophysis origin angle ca. 30–40° in Miturgiella vulgaris gen. et sp. nov., compared to>135° or so in Xis. jandateae sp. nov. Females of Miturgiella are very similar to those of Xistera coventryi sp. nov. and most easily distinguished by the key-hole type epigyne of the former. Also in former, spines on tibiae I and II noticeably weaker than those on metatarsi I and II.

Etymology. The species epithet refers to the widespread common distribution in Eastern Australia.

Type Material. Queensland: male holotype, Mt Bryden , 7.8 km N, 21°16’S 148°32’E, May 2003, QM S77152 .

Paratypes. 1 fem., Bulwer swamp, Moreton Is , 27°11’S 153°24’E, 30 Sep 1982, E.L.S.(W Houston), QM S39380 ; 1 fem., Camp Milo, Cooloola , 26°00’S 153°05’E, Jun 1978, G.May, QM S39382 ; 4 ma., 4 fem., Cooloola ( Teewah Ck ), 25°58’S 153°10’E, on tree trunks and rotting wood, 13 Jul, 8 & 14 Sep 1973, R.J. Raven , QM S72610 , QM S72607 , QM S31085 ; 6 ma., East Woodmillar Top , 25°41’S 151°36’E, open forest, pitfall, 25 Jan–7 Jun 1999, G. Monteith, G. Thompson, QM S60276 , QM S72620 ; 1 fem., Enterprise Mine, Blackbutt 2, 27°33’S 153°27’E, Blackbutt forest , hand collection, 9 Jan 2002, Queensland Museum Party, QM S56512 ; 1 ma., (14 juveniles), Enterprise Mine, Mallee 3, 33°38’S, 27°35’S 153°26’E, mallee, hand collection, 11 Jan 2002, Queensland Museum Party, QM S55453 ; 1 fem., Enterprise Mine, Scribbly Gum 3, 27°36’S 153°26’E, scrubby gully, pitfall, 8–22 Jan 2002, Queensland Museum Party, QM S55582 ; 1 ma., Ewan Maddock Dam (B/4), 26°48’S 152°59’E, open forest, pitfall, 22 Aug 1993 – 22 Mar 1994, M. Glover, QM S28699 ; 1 fem., Expedition Ra NP, 25°12’E, 148°59’E, 25–26 Sep 1997, D.J. Cook, QM S34964 ; 1 fem., Expedition Ra NP, “ Amphitheatre ” camp, 25°12’S 148°59’E, open forest, pitfall, 25 Sep 1997 – 18 Dec 1997, G.Monteith D.Cook, QM S44339 ; 1 fem., Fleurs Station , pitfall, 27 Jun 1999, T. B. Churchill , QM S72622 ; 7 ma., 1 fem., Fraser Is: Orchid Beach (F04), 24°57’S, 153°19’E, heathland, pitfall, 20 Aug–17 Dec 1997, QM S38890 ; 1 ma., Garfield (site 48-3), May 1999, T. B. Churchill , QM S72623 ; 1 ma., Homevale ( Campsite ), 21°24’S, 148°33’E, sclerophyll, 1–7 Apr 1975, Queensland Museum, QM S39384 ; 1 fem., Keysland , 26°12’S 151°44’E, open forest, pitfall, 29 Sep–15 Dec 1994, G. Monteith, QM S3774 ; 1 fem., Moolayember , 25°14’S 148°37’E, open forest, pitfall, 27 Jun–6 Sep 2006, R. Raven, B. Baehr, A. Amey, QM S77185 ; 1 ma., Moreton I, Blue Lagoon , 27°11’S 153°24’E, 26 May 1981, G. Anderson, QM S39378 ; 2 ma., Mount Dalrymple , 21°01’S, 148°38’E, pitfall, 21 Dec 1992 – 10 Jan 1993, ANZSES expedition, QM S72619 ; 1 fem., Mt Moffatt NP, Lots Wife , 25°01’S 147°57’E, 27 Sep 1986, M. Bennie, QM S15979 ; 2 ma., Mulgowie , 27°44’S 152°22’E, P. Grant, 19 May 1981, QM S39385 and 26 Aug 1981, QM S39386 ; 1 ma., Olsen’s Caverns ( DW8 ), 23°10’S 150°28’E, open forest, pitfall, 3 Sep–10 Nov 1991, D. Wallace, R. Raven, P. Lawless , QM S19839 ; 1 ma., Peawaddy Gorge Lookout , 1 km S, 24°55’S 148°03’E, eucalypt & Angophora , pitfall, 24 Aug 2001 – 10 Jan 2002, C. Eddie, R. Perry, G. Graham , QM S58420 ; 1 ma., Pine Mt EP, 27°33’S 152°42’E, open forest, pitfall, 13 Jan–16 May 1999, G. Monteith, QM S49993 ; 4 ma., Redland, Hilliards Ck, near South St ( RHC1 ), 27°32’S 153°15’E, scribbly gum, open forest, mushroom baited & unbaited pitfall, 23–26 Jan 2009, 19 Jan–19 Feb 2009, QM and BAAM, QM S79343 , QM S79360 ; 1 ma., Wetheron , 3 km SW, 25°34’S 151°42’E, vine scrub, pitfall, 19 Dec 1998 – 27 Jan 1999, G. Monteith, C. Gough, QM S50106 ; 4 ma., 1 fem., Windermere, nr Glenmorgan , 27°17’S 149°45’E, pitfall, Dec 90– Sep 91, R . Raven, B.J. Smyth , QM S72617 QM S39390 , QM S39391 ; 1 fem., Woodmillar ( East ),top, 25°41’S 151°36’E, open forest, pitfall, 18 Dec 1998 – 25 Jan 1999, G. Monteith, C. Gough, QM S50058 ; 1 fem., Yandaburra , 125 km SW Springsure, 24°42’S 147°30’E, 7–16 May 1976, C. Fearnley, QM S39381 ; 2 ma., Rockhampton Girl Guides reserve , 23°12’31”S 150°32’16”E, 2–20 Apr 2000; QM S45068 .

Beerwah, 26°51’S 152°57’E, heathland, litter & pitfalls, M. Glover: 1 ma., 16 Jan 1991, QM S39388 ; 1 fem., 21 Nov 1990, QM S44110 .

Bushley Stn ( DW12 ), 23°32’S 150°15’E , open forest, pitfall, D. Wallace, R . Raven: 1 fem., 3 Sep 1991, QM S39379 ; 6 ma., 21 Apr–19 Jul 1990, QM S32370 ; 1 fem., 21 Apr–19 Jul 1990, QM S24678 ; 2 ma., 1 fem., 3 Apr 1991, QM S39392 .

Lake Broadwater (Site 1), 27°21’S 151°06’E, pitfall, Qld Museum Party & M.Bennie: 1 ma., 25 Mar–16 May 1985, QM S44105 ; 1 fem., 16 May–23 Nov 1985, QM S39588 ; 1 ma., 25 Feb–22 Apr 1986, QM S44104 ; 1 ma., 25 Feb–22 Apr 1986, QM S44104 .

Proserpine, Airport Drive, site XY12, 20°29’S 148°34’E, closed woodland, pitfall, R . Raven: 3 ma., 16 Feb–10 May 2007, QM S85131 ; 1 fem., night collection, 8 Nov 2007 QM S86690 ; 1 fem., 10 May–15 Aug 2007, R . Raven, N. Power, QM S85075 .

Rochedale SF, 27°37’S 153°09’E, open forest, V . Davies, R. Raven: 1 fem., pitfall, 1–23 Nov 1979, QM S39383 ; 1 ma., Ironbark woodland, pitfall, 14–27 Feb 1980, QM S39387 ; 15 ma., pitfall, 2–30 Apr 1980, QM S39389 .

New South Wales: 1 fem., Gubatta (site 1G), 33°38’S, 146°33’E, pitfall, 12–18 Oct 1999, D. Driscoll, QM S53651 ; 1 fem., Gubatta (site 3G), 33°35’S, 146°35’E, pitfall, 12–18 Oct 1999, D. Driscoll, QM S53592 ; 2 fem., Pulletop (site 3P), 34°01’S, 146°04’E, pitfall, 12–18 Oct 1999, D. Driscoll, QM S53301 , QM S53693 ; 1 fem., Pulletop (site 4P), 33°38’S, 146°33’E, spinifex, pitfall, 12–18 Oct 1999, D. Driscoll, QM S53663 ; 1 fem., Round Hill Nature Reserve (site 1 R), 33°03’S, 146°13’E, mallee, pitfall, 2–8 Nov 1999, D. Driscoll, QM S52850 .

Taleeban , spinifex, pitfalls, D. Driscoll: 2 fem., (site 10 T), 33°57’S 146°25’E, 12–18 Oct 1999, QM S53232 , QM S53226 ; 1 fem., (site 2 T), 33°55’S 146°27’E, pitfall, 12–18 Oct 1999, QM S53670 ; 1 fem., (site 3 T), 33°55’S, 146°27’E, 12–18 Oct 1999, QM S53187 ; 1 fem., (site 4 T), 33°57’S, 146°27’E, 12–18 Oct 1999, QM S53105 ; 1 fem., (site 5 T), 33°56’S, 146°25’E, 12–18 Oct 1999, QM S53325 ; 1 fem., (site 6 T), 33°58’S, 146°27’E, 12–18 Oct 1999, QM S53171 ; 1 ma., Coleambally Irrigation Area : Elaroo Rd north of Kulki State Forest; survey grid 2, 34°56’10”S 145°46’51”E, -34.936157S 145.780786E, 120 m, 2–16 May 2004, Pitfall Trap, L. Wilkie, M.G. Elliott, AM KS109362 ; 2 fem., AM KS10101 .

Victoria: 1 ma., 2 fem., Snake Gully , 37°12’S 148°48’E, 29 Oct 1974, V . Salanitri , QM S28790 , QM S39452 ; 1 fem., The Pines , Apr 1971, V . Salanitri , QM S63758 ; 1 fem., 1 juv., Brooms Rd , 7.5 km NE of Yambuna, 36°06’S 136°06’E, 2–7 Dec 1994, S. Hinkley et al., MV K4410 ; 6 ma., McLellands Rd , 0.1 km N of Rathbones Rd, 36°06’S 136°06’E, 10–17Apr 1994, G. Milledge, MV K4427 ; 1 ma., Rathbones Rd , 3 km E of Booths Rd, 36°06’S 136°06’E, 10–17 Apr 1994, G. Milledge, MV K4421 ; 3 ma., Goulburn River , 12 km SSE of Nathalia, 36°10’S 145°14’E, 10–17 Apr 1994, pitfall traps, G. Milledge, MV K4430 ; 1 fem., 9.7 km NW of Murray Valley Hwy & Annuello Rd junction, 34°45’S 142°32’E, Oct 1985, A.L. Yen, MV K4775 ; 1 fem., Kotupna-Barmah Rd at Ellingtons Bridge , 36°04’S 145°02’E, 2–7 Dec 1994, S. Hinkley et al., MV K4407 ; 1 fem., 5 km ESE of Lower Moira , 36°04’S 145°02’E, 2–7 Dec 1994, S. Hinkley et al., MV K4519 ; 3 fem., Bendigo area (no further data), Feb 1991, B. Harvey, MV K4380 .

Description. Male, holotype QM S77152

Carapace 3.53 long, 2.87 wide. Opisthosoma 2.87 long, 2.00 wide. Total length, 6.6.

I: 2.67; 1.20; 2.53; 2.40; 1.80; 10.60. II: 2.67; 1.20; 2.33; 2.33; 1.67; 10.20. III: 2.67; 1.07; 2.40; 2.27; 1.80; 10.20. IV: 3.33; 1.20; 3.00; 4.00; 1.67; 13.20. Palp: 1.20; 0.53; 0.40; --; 1.33; 3.47. Colour. Carapace entirely dark brown with darker lines along caput edge and strial edges with fine cover of silver hairs. Femora bark brown; patella to tarsi fawn yellow, without bands. Opisthosoma entirely dark brown, no pallid spots evident but present in other males.

Carapace. Low, widest at fovea. “Cage” of 2 long bristles intermixed with 3–4 shorter bristles on each side in front of eyes. Clypeus steep, 2–3 diameters of AME long. Eyes in 3 rows, front recurved; back strongly recurved and form third row. PLE look to side and up. AME–PME<<PME–PLE. All eyes of similar size.

Chelicerae. Small vertical; boss small, low, long; fang relatively long, curved; r2, 3p. Labium slightly longer than wide, edge pallid. Palpal coxae cylindrical. Sternum shield-shaped, edges well-defined, no modified setae.

Legs. Coxae all rounded, no enlarged setae. Trochanter IV with shallow notch about 2x wider than deep. Pilosity light uniform pile golden silver hairs. Tarsi long cylindrical, none curved. Scopula. Short hairs ventrally on tarsi and metatarsi I–IV form thin scopula. Claws long with 5–6 long teeth; small cluster of scopula hairs extend under claws. Trichobothria. 2 rows of short on tarsi, one line for length of metatarsi, several short evident in each of 2 rows on tibiae.

Spines. I: fe p1d;2 pa0; ti p1-2r2v2.2.2; me p2r1v2.1. II: fe p1d3r3; pa0; ti p2d2r2v2.2.2; me p2r1v2.1. III: fe p3d3r2; pa 0; ti p2d2r2v2.2.2; me p2d2r2v2.2.1. IV: fe p3d3r2; pa 0; ti p2d3r2v2.2.2; me p4d1r3v2.2.1. Palp: fe d3; pap1; ti p2d1r2.

Spinnerets. ALS large, protrusive cylindrical, domed apically with large spigots. PMS small cylindrical, PLS much smaller (0.5 diameter and length) large spigots on apex.

Palp. RTA large, retrolateral twisting scoop dorsally and entally sclerotised, ventrolaterally an unsclerotised broad gutter. Cymbium wide, with deep translucent groove for 3/4 retrolateral length, apically extended into thumb-like process; RTA “fits” into basal indent in cymbium. Tegulum small, oval and prolateral. Embolus originates medially with triangular process directed basally; anticlockwise, at half bulb length joins large translucent “conductor” which retrolaterally includes moderately long grooved protrusion cradling embolus tip and opposite twisted tip of median apophysis running transverse. Cymbium with small poorly defined area of short hairs near tip and 3–4 thicker setae.

Female QM S53105

As for male except: Carapace 3.20 long, 3.33 wide. Opisthosoma 3.33 long, 2.00 wide. Total length, 6.7.

I: 2.13; 1.00; 1.47; 1.20; 1.00; 6.80. II: missing. III: 2.00; 1.20; 1.47; 1.67; 1.00; 7.33. IV: 2.73; 1.07; 2.20; 2.87; 1.20; 10.07. Palp: 0.80; 0.53; 0.53; --; 0.87; 2.73.

Colour. Carapace brown with dark areas in striae and strong cover of silver hairs mixed with short black bristles. Opisthosoma dorsally gray with 3 pairs of white spots distal of ostia mark, more posteriorly with 3–6 dark chevrons laterally, each with white spots, most small, only large posterior of mid-length, ventrally fawn. Legs yellow brown, femora darker. Sternum, palpal coxae and labium fawn yellow. RCH distal in upper third of coxa I.

Eyes. Of similar sizes save for clearly smaller ALE. PER in two separate rows. Chelicerae. With p2 r3 on furrows. Legs. I slightly thicker than III, IV; no scopula on tibiae or preening combs on metatarsi. Brush of hair under STC, not tufts. Basal and distal elongate setae on leg patella present. Scopula. Vestigial distal lateral lines of hair on metatarsi and tarsi I, III, IV metatarsi I wider, for full length; metatarsi III, IV distal 1/8th. Spines. Palp: ta p3r2v2. Claws. Palpal claw with 4 teeth but no tufts. STC with 5–6 teeth.

Spinnerets. ALS largest short cylinders; PMS slender but as long as ALS; PLS shorter than ALS with short domes; no enlarged spigots evident; colulus absent. Epigyne. Two anteriorly biconvex diagonal ridges with short lobes; internally with long spiralled ducts.

Behaviour. The gestalt of Miturgiella vulgaris gen. et sp. nov. (as well as that of Nuliodon fishburni ) is very similar to that of a mutillid wasp that hunts in the litter (see https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/taxa/629101-Mutillinae), and the spider may be mimicking the wasp. The spiders are very common in open forest leaf litter in eastern Australia and one of the first to be attracted to the vibration of a diesel engine. No bites are known.

Distribution. Widespread through dry open forests in eastern Australia: Queensland, New South Wales, and Victoria.

Figures

FIGURE 3. Miturginae spinnerets, females: a–c, Xistera coventryi sp. nov., a, ALS; b, PMS, c, PLS: images, M. Ramírez; d, e, Miturgopelma echidna sp. nov., female, lateral (d), and ventral (e) views; f, Miturgiella vulgaris sp. nov., male, showing large ALS. Unlike in Miturga, the apical segment of the PLS is short and domed or triangular. g, h, Miturga lineata Thorell, 1870, female, g, habitus, h, spinnerets showing long digitiform apical segment of PLS.

FIGURE 79. Miturgiella vulgaris sp. nov., female, QM S38890: a, habitus, dorsal view; b, eyes, dorsal view; c, prosoma, ventral view; d, opisthosoma, ventral view.

FIGURE 80. Miturgiella vulgaris sp. nov.: a, b, e, male, palpal bulb, cymbium and tibia, scanning electron micrographs: a, ventral view; b, median apophysis, ventral view; e, RTA, ventral view; c, d, female, QM S53105: c, epigyne, ventral view; d, internal genitalia, dorsal view.

FIGURE 81. Miturgiella vulgaris sp. nov., male, QM S61019: a, b, palpal bulb, cymbium and tibia: a, ventral view; b, retrolateral view; c–e, scanning electron micrographs; c, tarsal organ; d, trichobothrial base, cuticle and setae; e, paired claws, showing non-tuft setae below claws.