Dolichognatha raveni, Smith, Helen M., 2008

Smith, Helen M., 2008, Synonymy of Homalopoltys (Araneae: Araneidae) with the genus Dolichognatha (Araneae: Tetragnathidae) and descriptions of two new species, Zootaxa 1775, pp. 1-24 : 20-21

Dolichognatha raveni sp. n.

Figs 61–71

Holotype. AUSTRALIA: Queensland: Ψ, QM S78040 , Gordon Creek, Iron Range, 24–30.vi.1976, R. Raven, V.E. D a v i e s. Paratypes. AUSTRALIA: Queensland: ɗ, QM S78041, Ψ, QM S78042 , data as holotype. PAPUA NEW GUINEA: 1ɗ, RBIN, Baiteta Forest, 5°01'S 145°45'E, 6.iv.1993, canopy fogging, Pometia pinnata .

Etymology. The specific epithet is in honour of Robert Raven, who was most helpful in locating the Queensland Museum specimens.

Diagnosis. Male. Palpal bulbus twice as long as wide, embolus with spine-like apophysis ( Figs 64–65 , apophysis arrowed).

Female. Abdomen broadly bilobed apically ( Fig. 68 ), copulatory openings of epigynum set away from posterior margin in ventral view, epigynum medially broad with marginal sculpturing ( Fig. 69 ).

Description. Male (RBIN but QM S78041 figured). Carapace: length 1.07 (range 1.07–1.13), width 0.80, height 0.50; carapace shape similar to D. mandibularis , humped but relatively low, in dorsal view caput slightly longer than other species and sides gently diverging; caput margins produced to distinct projections anterolaterally over cheliceral bases ( Fig. 62 , arrowed). Chelicerae ( Figs 61, 62 ): anterobasal ledge of paturons weak, broadly rounded; three distinct promarginal cheliceral teeth, plus large tooth at convergence of rows, 2 medium and small teeth retromarginally, distinct blunt tooth or mound near fang tip (arrowed in Fig. 61 ). Labium: labral spur present ( Fig. 63 ). Sternum: slightly convex. Eyes ( Figs 61, 62 ). AME: 0.115, PME: 0.08, ALE: 0.08, PLE: 0.06, AME–AME: 0.02, AME–ALE: 0.02, PME–PME: 0.035, PME–PLE: 0.06, ALE– PLE: 0.01; tapeta outlines visible but no longer reflective. Legs: I: 4.42, II: 4.00, III: 2.06, IV: 2.50; anterior femurs with one or more dorsolateral macrosetae distally, not strongly developed. Abdomen: length 1.34, width 0.82; similar to D. incanescens male but square anteriorly. Palpal organ ( Figs 64, 65 ): palpal femur 0.28× carapace length; patella without macroseta, tibia c. 1.5× as long as wide; embolus tapering with distinct process at c. 1/3 distance to tip (arrowed in Fig. 65 ); embolic apophysis a broad slightly kinked strap, widening to a paddle shape at c. ½ length; bulbus elongate, width: length = 1:2.0. Colour in alcohol: traces of black on lateral carapace and around and behind PME; abdomen with traces of black in similar pattern to female except for extra row of dark spots down midline in posterior half.

Female (holotype). Carapace ( Fig. 66 ): length 1.47 (range 1.29–1.47), width 1.18, height 0.61; humped, but like in male rather lower than other species, broad in dorsal view. Chelicerae: 2 promarginal teeth plus large intermediate, retromarginal cheliceral teeth not visible due to tightly closed position of chelicerae against mouthparts. Labium: anterior not visible. Sternum: gently convex, but less so than small species. Eyes ( Fig. 66 ). AME: 0.15, PME: 0.10, ALE: 0.10, PLE: 0.09, AME–AME: 0.035, AME–ALE: 0.05, PME–PME: 0.04, PME–PLE: 0.10, ALE–PLE: 0.035; no reflective tapeta visible. Legs: I: 5.94, II: 5.08, III: 2.78, IV: 3.55. Only one macroseta visible on distal retrodorsal femurs of legs I, II and IV, none visible on femur III. Abdomen ( Figs 67, 68 ) (separated from prosoma): length 3.18, width 1.96. Broadly bilobed, lobes barely developed vertically, so appears almost square-topped; post genital mound barely developed. Epigyne ( Figs 69, 70 ): copulatory openings of epigynum set away from posterior margin in ventral view, epigynum medially broad with marginal sculpturing, lateral lobes obvious and lightly sclerotized; internal margins of the lateral plates broadly separated and shallow in posterior view. Internal genitalia ( Fig. 71 ): copulatory ducts pass spermathecae medially, entering lower lobe posteriorly; spermathecae apparently bilobed, lobes connected by bulging duct-like section; head more or less globular. Colour in alcohol: carapace creamy-white, region of PME and area immediately posterior brown, brown patches on sides of caput and carapace; sternum with brown mark posteriorly. Legs faintly annulated with brown; tarsi paler. Abdomen dorsum pale except for brown patch anterior to anal tubercle and remains of paired markings towards anterior; brown lateral patches; ventrally with olive-brown over post-genital mound, outlined with white lines.

Distribution. Dolichognatha raveni has been recorded from the type locality in the Iron Range on Cape York, north-eastern Australia and from eastern Papua New Guinea.

Figures

FIGURES 61 – 71. Dolichognatha raveni. 61 – 65, male (QM S 78041). 61, eye region and chelicerae, frontal (slight rotation); blunt cheliceral tooth near fang tip arrowed. 62, eye region and chelicerae, lateral; arrow indicates anterolateral carapace projection. 63, right maxillary endite and labium, frontal. 64, 65, male palpal organ, ventral, retrolateral; arrow indicates embolic process. 66 – 71, female (holotype). 66, carapace, dorsal. 67, 68, abdomen lateral, dorsal. 69, 70, epigynum, ventral, posterior. 71, epigynum dorsal (internal genitalia). Scale lines 0.5 mm for somatic parts, 0.1 mm for genitalia.