Pinkfloydia harveii, 2011

Dimitrov, Dimitar & Hormiga, Gustavo, 2011, An extraordinary new genus of spiders from Western Australia with an expanded hypothesis on the phylogeny of Tetragnathidae (Araneae), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society (Zool. J. Linn. Soc.) 161 (4), pp. 735-768 : 756-763

PINKFLOYDIA HARVEII DIMITROV & HORMIGA SP. NOV. ( FIGS 8–16 )

Types: Holotype: male from Australia, Western Australia, Stirling Range National Park, Wedge Hill ; 34°23′17″S, 118°10′18″E; 02.v.1996, Harvey, M. S., Waldock, J. M., Main, B. Y. Legit (Leg). (AUSTMUS T66621 ).

Paratypes: 1 female, same data as holotype (in the same vial). Australia, Western Australia : 1 female, Walpole, Tinglewood Road , 35°00′S, 116°40′E, 13.vi.1987, Main, B. Y. Leg. (AUSTMUS 93/2124) ; 4 females, Mt Cooke , 32°25′S, 116°18′E, 27.iv.1992, Harvey, M. S., Waldock, J. M. Leg. (AUSTMUS 93/2080, 93/2081; 93/2082, 93/2083) ; 1 male, Boddington Bauxite Mine , site SSB02, 32°59′36″S, 116°28′23″E, vi.2003, Graby, G. Leg. (AUSTMUS T71617) ; 1 female, Stirling Range National Park, Toolbrunup Peak Track , 34°24′S, 118°04′E, 2.iv.1993, Harvey, M. S. Leg. (AUSTMUS T66619 ) ; 1 female, Bold Park , site BP1, 31°57′07″S, 115°45′30″E, 20.v.– 20.vii.1993, Harvey, M. S., Waldock, J. M. Leg. (AUSTMUS 93/2075) ; 1 female, Bold Park , site BP3, 31°56′33″S, 115°46′13″E, 20.v.–20.vii.1993, Harvey, M. S., Waldock, J. M. Leg. (AUSTMUS 93/2076) ; 2 males, Bold Park , site BP4, 31°56′29″S, 115°46′01″E, Harvey, M. S., Waldock, J. M. Leg. (AUSTMUS 93/2077, 93/2078) ; 1 male, Perth Airport , site PA5, 31°58′03″S, 115°58′11″E, 24.vi.–28.vii.1993, Harvey, M. S., Waldock, J. M., Sampey, A. Leg. (AUSTMUS 93/2085) ; 1 male, 1 female, Talbot Road Reserve , site TR2, 31°52′24″S, 116°02′52″E, 24.vi.–28.vii.1993, Harvey, M. S., Waldock, J. M. Leg. (AUSTMUS 93/2086, 93/2087) .

Etymology: The species epithet is a patronym after the Australian arachnologist Mark S. Harvey, collector of this and many other new species of arachnids from Western Australia.

Diagnosis: As this genus is monotypic the diagnosis of P. harveii coincides with the diagnosis given for the genus (see above under Diagnosis).

Description (male holotype): Total body length 2.77. Cephalothorax 1.36 long, 0.93 wide, 1.11 high. Sternum almost as long as wide; 0.67 long, 0.65 wide. Abdomen 1.41 long, 0.90 wide, 0.98 high. Cephalothorax, chelicerae, and sternum brown; dorsally sternum with darker markings laterally. Fovea well marked, with darker coloration. Eyes placed on a conically elevated and slightly projected forward cephalic region; PME on short elevations, much larger than the rest of the eyes ( Figs 9B , 12A, B, D). Lateral eyes juxtaposed. Distance between AME 1.5 times one AME diameter; between AME and ALE about one AME diameter. Distance between PME almost two PME diameters. Lateral eyes placed close to the PME. Clypeus height 1.85 times one AME diameter. Chelicerae slender, elongated, and cylindrical ( Figs 9B , 12D), with three anterior and two posterior teeth, and two small denticles between the anterior and posterior margins, adjacent to the fang joint (Fig. 12I). Cheliceral cuticle rugose (Fig. 12D). Abdomen oval, longer than wide, with grey-brownish coloration and very few remains of guanine patches. Dorsally with a darker band medially delimited by two clearer dorsolateral bands. Caudal tubercle more darkly pigmented ( Fig. 9A, C ). Ventrally abdomen lighter in colour, with few small darker dots medially. Legs yellowish. Femur I 1.78 long; 1.30 times the length of the cephalothorax. Femur I with a conspicuous line of oval markings prolaterally (Fig. 12E, G) that extend over the tibia. Similar markings also present on femur IV (under the SEM these markings seem to be made of adhered particles). Palp ( Figs 8A–E , 13A–C, E , 14A) with a very long tibia, as long as or slightly longer than the cymbium (Fig. 12A, B). Patella without macrosetae (Fig. 12A, B, D). Paracymbium large and ventrally displaced with two distinctive black, long, and thick macrosetae ( Figs 8A, C , 13G , 14A). Cymbial ecto-basal process very long with pointed tip and strongly chitinized ( Figs 8B , 13A, D ). Cymbial ecto-median process with transparent rim and numerous cuspules dorsally ( Figs 8B, E , 13D, H, I ). Embolus with large metine embolic apophysis, rectangular, with a pointed and folded laminar distal edge ( Figs 8A–C , 13B, F , 14A). Conductor with blunt tip narrower than its base ( Fig. 13B, E, F ). Epiandrous fusules as in Figure 14D.

Female (paratype, AUSTMUS 93/2124): Total body length 4.51. Cephalothorax 1.86 long, 1.16 wide, 1.15 high. Sternum almost as long as wide; 0.77 long, 0.70 wide. Abdomen 2.65 long, 2.15 wide, 1.86 high. Coloration pattern and eyes distribution as in males. Sternum slightly more elongated than in males; 0.77 long, 0.70 wide. Abdomen wider than in males, which gives it more rounded appearance (Fig. 10A, B, D). Chelicerae shorter and more robust than in male, with smooth cuticle (Figs 10C, 14E). Clypeus height 1.40 times one AME diameter. Legs brown-yellowish; femur I 1.83, 0.98 times the length of the cephalothorax. Epigynum well sclerotized, dark brown ( Figs 8F , 10D, 15D–E). Epigynal plate flattened, with numerous cuticular pores (Fig. 15D, E, G). Remains of a ‘resinous’ secretion forming a genital plug are visible around the edges of the epigynum (Fig. 10E). Copulatory ducts well chitinized, opening on the ventral side of the epigynum and entering the spermathecae at their base ( Figs 8G, H , 15F, 16C). Fertilization ducts membranous, originating very close to the copulatory duct entrance in the spermathecae but much wider than it ( Figs 8G, H , 15F, H, 16A). Spermathecae oval, weakly sclerotized, and sack like (Fig. 15F, H).

Variation: Male cephalothorax ranges in length from 1.36 to 1.61 (N = 7). Female cephalothorax length varies from 1.68–186 (N = 14). Male total body length ranges from 2.77 to 3.75 (N = 7). Female total body length ranges from 3.54 to 4.51 (N = 14). The male abdominal tubercle varies in height and length, in some specimens being very short, which gives the distal edge of the abdomen a more rounded appearance.

Natural history: Very poorly known. Many of the specimens that we studied were collected by pitfall traps. We photographed the webs of four juvenile specimens of P. harveii in the Walpole area (Darling Range). Their horizontal webs were built on the leaf litter in a disturbed area and had a maximum frame width between 52 and 92 mm. These orbs were relatively densely spun, as they had many radii (17–28, mean 22, N = 4), lack split radii, and have numerous spiral turns ( Fig. 11 ). The hub is closed and the temporary spiral is removed in the final web (see Fig. 11D ). We observed one of the webs being built at night time.

Distribution: Southern Western Australia (see map in Fig. 17 ).

Additional specimens studied: Australia, Western Australia: 1 female, Chesapeake Road at Gardner River , 34°48′S, 116°11′E, 1.v.1990, Harvey, M. S., Waldock, J. M. Leg. (AUSTMUS 93/2079) ; 1 juvenile (juv.), Perth Airport , site PA5, 31°58′03″S, 115°58′11″E, 10.v.–20.vi.1993, Harvey, M. S., Waldock, J. M. Leg. (AUSTMUS 93/2084) ; 1 juv., Talbot Road Reserve , site TR2, 31°52′24″S, 116°02′52″E, 24.vi.–28.vii.1993, Harvey, M. S., Waldock, J. M. Leg. (AUSTMUS 93/2088) ; 1 male, Talbot Road Reserve , site TR3, 31°52′25″S, 116°03′03″E, 24.vi.–28.vii.1993, Harvey, M. S., Waldock, J. M. Leg. (AUSTMUS 93/2089) ; 1 juv., Kings Park , site J(E1), 31°58′S, 115°50′E, 26.iii.1981, UWA Zoology students, and B. Y. Main Leg. (AUSTMUS T66615 ) ; 1 female, Mt Cooke , 32°25′S, 116°18′E, 24.iv.1992, Harvey, M. S., Waldock, J. M. Leg. (AUSTMUS T66616 , used for SEM) ; 1 male, Carabooda area, A. Lombardo’s property, un-named cave, YN-515, twilight zone, 31°35′S, 115°42′E, 22.v.1999, Foulds, R. Leg. (AUSTMUS T66617 used for SEM); 1 juv, Stirling Range National Park , Toolbrunup Peak Track , scree slope, 34°24′S, 118°04′E, 31.iii.1993, Harvey, M. S., Waldock, J. M. Leg. (AUSTMUS T66618 ) ; 1 female, Stirling Range National Park, S. of Bluff Knoll , 34°23′S, 118°15′E, 1.v.1996, Harvey, M. S., Waldock, J. M., Main, B. Y. Leg. (AUSTMUS T66620 used for dissection and SEM) ; 1 juv., Glenbourne, S. of Gracetown , site 5, 33°53′S, 115°00′E, 18.iv.–20.iv.1998, Marsh, L. et al. Leg. (AUSTMUS T66622 ) ; 1 juv., Karri Valley Resort, 34°26′S, 115°51′E, 21.x.1997, Waldock, J. M. Leg. (AUSTMUS T66623 ) . 3 juv., forest near Tinglewood Cabins , 34°54′51.0″S, 116°43′50.9″E, elevation 185 m, G. Hormiga Leg. (GH0111, one of the specimens sequenced) ; 1 female, Talbot Road Nature Reserve , 31°52′24″S, 116°03′04″E, 29.viii.2006, Waldock, J. M., Edward, K. Leg. (AUSTMUS T79005) ; 2 juv., Jandakot Airport , site JK1, 32°05′36″S, 115°52′39″E, 4.v.– 6.vii.1995, Waldock, J. M., Harvey, M. S. Leg. (AUSTMUS T98587) ; 1 juv., Jandakot Airport , site JK1, 32°05′36″S, 115°52′39″E, 21.ii.–4.v.1995, Waldock, J. M., Harvey, M. S. Leg. (AUSTMUS T98588) ; 1 juv., Perth Airport , site PA6, 31°58′05″S, 115°58′05″E, 6.i.–18.iii.1994, Harvey, M. S., Waldock J. M. Leg. (AUSTMUS T98589) ; 1 juv., Woodman Point , site WO2, 32°07′50″S, 115°45′28″E, 04.xi.1994 – 19.i.1995, Waldock, J. M., Harvey, M. S. Leg. (AUSTMUS T98590) ; 1 juv., Woodman Point , site WO1, 32°07′47″S, 115°45′23″E, 19.i.–21.iii.1995, Harvey, M. S., Waldock, J. M. Leg. (AUSTMUS T98591) ; 1 female, Rottnest Island, near Lake Timperley , 32°00′23″S, 115°31′11″E, 13.vi.2007, Rix, M. G. Leg. (AUSTMUS T98592) ; 1 male, 1 female, Porongurup National Park, deep gully west of Waddy’s Hut , 34°40′55″S, 117°50′55″E, 29.iv.2008, Rix, M. G., Harvey, M. S. Leg. (AUSTMUS T98593) ; 1 male, Boonarring Nature Reserve, off Wannamel West Road , 31°10′27″S, 115°50′57″E, 15.vi.2007, Rix, M. G.Leg. (AUSTMUS T98594) ; 2 males, 1 female, Austin Bay Nature Reserve, E. of Peel Inlet, end of Beacham Road , 32°36′42″S, 115°47′11″E, 12.vi.2007, Rix, M. G.Leg. (AUSTMUS T98595) ; 1 female, Sand Patch Beach Reserve, Cuthbert , W of Roberts Road, 35°01′59″S, 117°47′47″E, 18.iii.2008, Rix, M., Harvey, M. S. Leg. (AUSTMUS T98596) ; 2 males, 1 female, S. of Bremer Bay, near Yate Road , 34°24′10″S, 119°22′43″E, 02.v.2008, Rix, M. G., Harvey, M. S., Newell, J. Leg. (AUSTMUS T98597) ; 1 male, Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, Sinker Reef Road , 34°59′12″S, 118°08′56″E, 01.v.2008, Rix, M., Harvey, M. S. Leg. (AUSTMUS T98598) ; 1 male, Stirling Range National Park, base of Pyongurup Peak , 34°21′54″S, 118°19′44″E, 05.viii.2008, Rix, M., Harvey, M. S. Leg. (AUSTMUS T98599) ; 1 female, Lesueur National Park, north of Mt Lesueur , 30°09′59″S, 115°12′06″E, 19.vi.2007, Rix, M. G. Leg. (AUSTMUS T98600) ; 1 female, 1 juv., Torndirrup National Park, Salmon Hole Road , 35°06′07″S, 117°58′03″E, 30.iv.2008, Rix, M. G., Harvey, M. S. Leg. (AUSTMUS T98601) ; 1 female, Badgingarra National Park, off Bibby Road, 4.4 km W of Brand Highway, 30°29′14″S, Lon ; 115°26′05″E, 19.vi.2007, Rix, M. G. Leg. (AUSTMUS T98602) ; 1 male, Two Peoples Bay Nature Reserve, near Picnic Area , 34°58′27″S, 118°10′42″E, 01.v.2008, Rix, M., Harvey, M. S. Leg. (AUSTMUS T98603) ; 1 male, Buller Nature Reserve , 9.5 km SW of Waroona, 32°52′04″S, 115°49′43″E, 22.vii.2007, Rix, M. G. Leg. (AUSTMUS T98604) ; 1 male, Modong Nature Reserve . 1.5 km NE of Rockingham, 32°13′10″S, 115°54′09″E, 5.vi.2007, Rix, M. G. Leg. (AUSTMUS T98605) .

Figures

Figure 8. Pinkfloydia harveii sp. nov. Male palp (holotype): A, ventral; B, retrolateral; C, prolateral; D, schematic; E, dorsal. Female epigynum: F, ventral; G, dorsal; H, schematic. Abbreviations: C, conductor; CB, cymbium; CD, copulatory duct; CEBP, cymbial ecto-basal process; CEMP, cymbial ecto-median process; E, embolus; F, fundus; FD, fertilization duct; MEA, metine embolic apophysis; P, paracymbium; T, tegulum. Scale bars = 0.2 mm.

Figure 9. Pinkfloydia harveii sp. nov. Male (holotype): A, lateral; B, frontal; C, dorsal; D, ventral. Cephalothorax length is 1.36 mm (see species description for measurements).

Figure 11. Pinkfloydia harveii sp. nov. Capture webs of four different juveniles photographed in the leaf litter at night, near Walpole. All webs have been dusted with cornstarch. A, recently spun orb, maximum horizontal web frame width is 67 mm (photo series 0209-0215/27ii06GH). B, maximum horizontal web frame width is 52 mm (photo series 0201-0202/27ii06GH). C, partially damaged web with spider at the hub; maximum horizontal web frame width is 92 mm (photo series 0206-0208/27ii06GH). D, unfinished web; the spider is on the upper left frame corner, maximum horizontal frame width is 62 mm (photo series 0203-02105/27ii06GH).

Figure 13. Pinkfloydia harveii sp. nov., male. Palp: A, retrolateral; B, ventral; C, dorsal; D, retrolateral close up; E, apical; F, conductor and embolus detail; G, paracymbium; H, modified setae on the CEMP (type I); I, modified setae (cuspules) on the CEMP (type II). Abbreviations: C, conductor; CB, cymbium; CEBP, cymbial ecto-basal process; CEMP, cymbial ecto-median process; E, embolus; MEA, metine embolic apophysis; P, paracymbium; S, spermatheca; ST, subtegulum. Scale bars: A, B, C = 100 Mm; D, E, G = 20 Mm; F = 10 Mm; H = 2 Mm; I = 3 Mm.

Figure 16. Pinkfloydia harveii sp. nov., female. A, fertilization duct detail. B, epigynum dorsal, cuticular glands ductiles. C, copulatory duct detail. Spinnerets: D, ALS; E, PMS; F, spinnerets overview; G, PLS. Abbreviations: AC, aciniform gland spigots; AG, aggregate gland spigots; ALS, anterior lateral spinnerets; CY, cylindrical gland spigots; FL, flagelliform spigot; mAP, minor ampullate gland spigot; MAP, major ampullate gland spigot; PI, piriform gland spigots; PLS, posterior lateral spinnerets; PMS, posterior median spinnerets. Scale bars: A, D, E, G = 10 Mm; B, C = 2 Mm; F = 20 Mm.

Figure 17. Map of the collection records of Pinkfloydia harveii sp. nov.