Maratus constellatus sp. nov.

(Figs 10 A–F, 11A–C, 12A–C, 13A, B)

Material examined. MALE HOLOTYPE (WAM-T150114) Australia, Western Australia, Kalbarri National Park, Kalbarri Gorge, 27°33’11.3508’’S, 114°26’45.9132’’E, 14 Jul. 2019 . PARATYPE: 1 male (AM-KS104596) from Australia, Western Australia, Kalbarri National Park, Murchison River (no exact locality) 11-14 Aug 2002, yellow pan trap .

Etymology. The specific name ( constellatus, Latin, m, adjective, English translation: starry) refers to the opisthosomal markings of the male which resemble a starry night sky.

Diagnosis. This species belongs to the Maratus harrisi group (Otto & Hill 2019a), with respect to the lobate or rounded lateral opisthosomal flaps which are covered with olive-green coloured scales. Males of M. constellatus can be readily separated from other Maratus species by their unique dorsal opisthosoma patterns consisting of a series of yellow spots of scales on a background of blue-purple iridescent scales. The structure of the external male genitalia of M. constellatus is of little use in distinguishing this species from other Western Australian Maratus species.

Description. Male. Carapace dark brown, almost black and mostly glabrous. Ocular quadrangle region covered thickly in light grey scales and interrupted by five distinct stripes of red-orange scales which extend from behind each anterior eye to rear margin of ocular quadrangle (Fig. 10 A–F). Median thoracic tract comprised of white setae extends from rear slope of carapace to rear margin of ocular quadrangle region (Fig. 10A, B, D, E). Lateral tracts of white setae situated behind each PLE. Thin marginal band of white setae present at rim of carapace (Fig. 10B).

PME closer to PLE than to ALE. AME and ALE ringed with short, red-orange scales dorsally and short, light grey scales laterally and ventrally. Long white setae project downwards from below AME forming triangular shape (Fig. 10C, F). Cuticular surface of clypeus black and covered with short, white setae. Chelicerae dark brown and glabrous. Coxae, labium, and endites light brown and glabrous. Sternum darker brown with light covering of fine, white setae (Fig. 11C).

Dorsal opisthosoma thickly covered with field of blue iridescent scales and distinctly marked with four curved columns of three irregularly spaced yellow spots, tapering towards posterior opisthosoma. Posterior edge of opisthosoma marked with seven tracts of alternating white and black scales. Anterior margin of opisthosoma covered with white scales, red-orange below. Each anterolateral edge of dorsal opisthosoma marked with triangular shaped tract of white scales, tapering towards centre of opisthosoma (Fig. 10A, B, D, E). Colular tuft of white setae situated above black spinnerets. Ventral opisthosoma dark brown and scattered with short, creamy coloured setae. Olive-green, hemi-circular opisthosomal flaps which can be extended during courtship present on lateral edges of opisthosoma (Fig. 11C).

Legs I and II subequal in length, legs III and IV longer, legs III by far longest. Each leg with light covering of long white and dark brown setae. Tarsi of legs III thickly covered with white setae. Metatarsi of legs III fringed with black setae (Fig. 10 A–F). Pedipalp covered dorsally with long, off-white setae. Relatively large male palpal bulb with retrolateral sperm duct loop, large retrobasal tegular lobe, finger-like retrolateral tibial apophysis, embolic disc with anticlockwise coiled embolus. Distal embolus with two apices when viewed laterally. Heavily sclerotized cuticle on tegulum prolaterally below emolic disc (Fig. 12 A–C).

Female. Unknown.

Variation. Between the two males in the type series, the coverage of the white tracts of scales on the carapace vary due to scales rubbing off. The width and colour of the markings of scales on the ocular quadrangle also vary slightly. The positioning of the white tracts of scales on the anterolateral edges of the opisthosoma between the two males also slightly differs, and there is some slight colour variation between the two (Fig. 13A, B).

Courtship display. Unknown.

Dimensions. Male. Total length: 3.88–3.98 (3.93±0.05, n=2). Carapace length 2.14– 2.16 (2.15±0.01, n=2). Opisthosoma length 1.74–1.82 (1.78±0.04, n=2). Leg I length: 2.71– 2.78 (2.75±0.04, n=2). Leg II length: 2.74– 2.78 (2.76±0.02, n=2). Leg III length: 3.88–3.96 (3.92±0.04, n=2). Leg IV length: 3.70–3.74 (3.72±0.02, n=2).

Distribution. Known only from the type locality in Kalbarri National Park, Kalbarri Gorge, Western Australia (Fig. 1). Found on the plants shown in Fig. 14A, B.