Artoria parvula Thorell, 1877, by original designation (Thorell 1877).

In NSW and the ACT, five genera of the subfamily Artoriinae have been found: Artoria, Artoriopsis Framenau, 2007, Diahogna Roewer, 1960, Kangarosa Framenau, 2010 and Tetralycosa Roewer, 1960. The row of the anterior eyes in the latter three genera is generally wider than the row of the posterior median eyes and therefore these genera are thought to form a natural group (Framenau 2006, 2010; Framenau and Hudson 2017). In contrast, species in Artoria (Fig. 2A–E) and Artoriopsis generally have the anterior eye row narrower than the posterior median eye row. Artoriopsis differs from Artoria by a more elongated carapace that is adorned by distinct light lateral bands, and a distinct colouration of the abdomen with a central diamond-shaped black spot (with the exception of Artoriopsis whitehouseae Framenau, 2007, which has a black abdomen with irregular light central band (Framenau 2007)). There are also genus-specific differences between the male pedipalps of all genera, specifically with respect to the basoembolic and tegular apophyses. For example, the tegular apophyses in Diahogna, Kangarosa and Tetralycosa are generally wider at the base than apically, whereas in Artoria they are narrow at the base and widen apically. The tegular apophysis of Artoriopsis is variable and in general most similar to that of Artoria, but the genera are easily distinguished by the somatic characters above.

Figure 2.

Artoria males, anterior eye row, frontal view: A, A. strepera sp. n. (AM KS127760) straight, evenly spaced; B, A. barringtonensis sp. n. (AM KS122794) straight, distance between AME/AME at least twice of AME/ALE.; C, A. kanangra (KS45008) slightly procurved, evenly spaced; D, A. belfordensis sp. n. (AM KS127759) eyes strongly procurved, evenly spaced.; E, A. extraordinaria sp. n. (AM KS128074) eyes strongly procurved, distance between AME/ALE at least twice AME/AME. Scale bars: 0.1 mm.

(after Framenau 2002). Small to medium-sized wolf spiders (total length ca. 2.5–10 mm); males slightly smaller than females; carapace brown to black with darker radial pattern; light median and lateral bands sometimes present; abdomen brown to dark grey, often with mottled pattern and mostly with a light lanceolate heart mark; carapace longer than wide, dorsal profile straight in lateral view; head flanks in frontal view steep in most males but may be a gentle slope in females.

Chelicerae with three (rarely one or two) promarginal and three (rarely one or two) retromarginal teeth; labium as long as or slightly longer than wide; leg formula IV>I>I>III; tegular apophysis located apically at tegulum and of variable shape; basoembolic apophysis broad, heavily sclerotised and bent ventrally; embolus of varying shape (slim to very thick); terminal apophysis functioning as conductor, sometimes forming a groove for the resting embolus; most species with varying number of macrosetae at tip of male cymbium; a scopulate patch of setae occasionally present dorsally on cymbium. Epigyne variable, a simple opening of varying shape or covered by a sclerotised ovoid plate.

Syntypes male and female of Lycosa albo-pilata Urquhart, 1893, no exact locality given [Tasmania, AUSTRALIA]. As many other Urquhart types, considered lost (Court and Forster 1988; Forster 1967). Not examined.

Figure 3.

Artoria albopilata (Urquhart, 1893) male, female (AM KS116121): A, male habitus, dorsal view; B, male habitus, ventral view; C, female habitus, dorsal view; D, female habitus, ventral view; E, male pedipalp, ventral view; F, male pedipalp, retrolateral view; G, epigyne, ventral view; H, epigyne, dorsal view. Scale bars: habitus 1.0 mm; pedipalp, epigyne 0.1 mm.

588 males, 128 females and 45 juveniles in 152 records (146 NSW, 5 ACT). AUSTRALIA: Australian Capital Territory: 8 males, 1 female, Blundells Creek, 3 km E of Piccadilly Circus, 35°22’S, 148°50’E (ANIC); 7 males, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, 35°28’S, 148°52’E (AM KS13830); 7 males, 1 female, same locality (AM KS13873, KS86420). New South Wales: 1 female, Badja State Forest, Badja Fire Trail, 36°07’30”S, 149°31’37”E (AM KS64405); 1 male, Badja State Forest, Peters Road, 36°08’52”S, 149°32’09”E (AM KS64401); 1 male, Badja State Forest, Pollys Gully Road, 36°06’39”S, 149°28’26”E (AM KS64394); 4 females, Badja State Forest, Rocky Range Fire Trail, 36°03’21”S, 149°28’29”E (AM KS64407); 1 male, Badja State Forest, Tuross River Road, 36°12’31”S, 149°30’07”E (AM KS64402); 1 male, Badja State Forest, Wiola Creek Fire Trail, 36°05’24”S, 149°34’51”E (AM KS86409); 4 females, 2 juv., Beaury State Forest, SW end of Rock Waterhole Road, 28°33’S, 152°19’E (AM KS36135); Beaury State Forest, 1 female, SW end of Rocky Waterhole Road, 28°33’32”S, 152°19’30”E (AM KS128552); 2 males, Beaury State Forest, Tooloom Scrub, 28°35’S, 152°22’E (AM KS51276, KS50956); 96 males, 44 females, 21 juv., Bondi State Forest, 37°08’S, 149°09’E (AM KS11002, KS11010, KS11024, KS11033, KS11038, KS11045, KS11067, KS11127, KS11138, KS11157, KS11162, KS11174, KS11191, KS11195, KS11207, KS11219, KS11252, KS11333, KS11364, KS11370, KS12046, KS12061, KS12066, KS12084, KS12095, KS12110, KS12114, KS12123, KS12128, KS12140, KS12153, KS12158, KS12198, KS12215, KS45437–8, KS69706, KS70220, KS71596, KS71691, KS71696, KS71755, KS71783, KS72733, KS72754, KS72758, KS72773); 221 males, 30 females, 23 juv., Bondi State Forest, Woodlot 1, 37°08’S, 149°09’E (AM KS11334, KS11406, KS11424, KS11440, KS11478–9, KS11489, KS11526, KS11531, KS11549, KS11559, KS11576, KS11587, KS11597, KS11610, KS11622, KS11636, KS11661, KS11709, KS11720, KS11742, KS11752, KS11761, KS11772, KS11784, KS11799, KS11802, KS11807, KS11814, KS11824, KS11833, KS11842, KS11856, KS11864, KS11878, KS11892, KS11903, KS11914, KS11999, KS12007, KS12025, KS15188, KS15192, KS15201–2, KS18064–5, KS72747); 24 males, 15 females, Bondi State Forest, Woodlot 2, 37°07’S, 149°08’E (AM KS116628, KS69145, KS69154, KS69169, KS70203, KS70268, KS116066, KS116082, KS116092, KS116108, KS116282, KS116287, KS116319, KS116300, KS116364); 100 males, 9 females, Bondi State Forest, Woodlot 3, 37°08’S, 149°09’E (AM KS116115, KS116121, KS116130, KS116141, KS116147, KS116152, KS116158, KS116166, KS116616, KS128553); 1 female, Boonoo State Forest, Boonoo Forest Drive, 1.8 km from Mt Lindesay Hwy, 28°56’S, 152°06’E (AM KS37001); 7 males, Cherry Tree North State Forest, 28°58’S, 152°15’E (AM KS63740, KS86191); 109 males, 8 females, Coolangubra State Forest, near Waratah Creek, 37°01’S, 149°23’E (AM KS79631–2, KS83683); 2 females, Kangaroo Creek State Forest, 1.5 km along Burns Road from junction with Kangaroo Creek Road, 30°04’S, 152°52’E (AM KS39730); 1 female, Kosciusko National Park, Bogong Creek and Alpine Way, 36°12’S, 148°19’E (AM KS45823); 1 female, 2 juv., Marengo State Forest, Big Bull Creek, 2.7 km NE of Foamy Creek Road, 30°07’30”S, 152°25’51”E (AM KS84062); 1 female, Mt Keira Fauna Reserve, Scout Camp, 34°24’S, 150°51’E (AM KS2213); 1 male, Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, East Kunderang Track, 30°48’25”S, 152°07’09”E (AM KS124362); 1 male, Shooters Hill, 33°54’S, 149°52’E (AM KS45150); 1 female, Spirabo State Forest, 0.5 km N three-way intersection, near Bull Creek, 29°18’S, 152°06’E (AM KS36981); 3 females, Styx River State Forest, bottom end of Cliffs trail, ca. 1.3 km from Oxley Road, 30°33’54”S, 152°20’50”E (AM KS35651); 1 male, Tallaganda State Forest, Rocky Pic Road, 35°36’47”S, 149°29’52”E (AM KS68644); 1 female, Tallaganda State Forest, Rocky Pic Road, 35°37’08”S, 149°30’17”E (AM KS64406); 1 female, Tallaganda State Forest, Rocky Pic Road, 35°36’46”S, 149°29’52”E (AM KS64404); 1 female, Wadbilliga National Park, Bumberry Creek Fire Trail, 36°14’20”S, 149°33’36”E (AM KS68641).

Artoria albopilata is most similar to A. gloriosa, a species endemic to Lord Howe Island. Males differ in the shape of the tegular apophysis, which ends in three lobes in A. albopilata (Fig. 3E) and two tips in A. gloriosa (Fig. 20E). The tip of the embolus is sharp in A. albopilata, but broad and blunt in A. gloriosa. Females differ in the shape of the epigyne, in particular the anterior border, which is semicircular in A. albopilata, but undulating in A. gloriosa. The median septum fills the atrium in A. albopilata, but is truncated anteriorly in A. gloriosa.

Artoria albopilata has been described in detail (Framenau 2005). A diagnosis and diagnostic images (Figs 3A–H, 46F) are provided here to facilitate identification.

Artoria albopilata is a forest species occurring in leaf litter. In NSW and the ACT, it has been found in open to closed dry to wet sclerophyll forests, with one record from a Hoop Pine plantation.

Mature males and females appear in spring in October with the highest number of records in November. There is a much smaller peak around March. A single female with eggsac was found in January. Mature spiders can be found until May. There are also few records of mature spiders from July.

In NSW and ACTA. albopilata is particularly found east of the Great Dividing Range (Fig. 4). It has also been found in south-eastern Queensland, south-eastern Victoria, southern South Australia (incl. Kangaroo Island) and Tasmania (Framenau 2005).

Holotype male, Kosciuszko National Park, near Smiggins Hole (36°24’S, 148°26”E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA), 1,700 m alt., alpine moor, D. Bickel (AM KS4789). Paratype male, Kosciuszko National Park, Spencer Creek near Charlottes Pass (36°24’S, 148°21”E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA), D. Bickel (AM KS45825) (all examined).

Figure 4.

Distribution records of Artoria albopilata (Urquhart, 1893) (full circles), A. alta Framenau, 2004 (grey triangles) and A. barringtonensis sp. n. (grey square) in NSW and ACT. IBRA bioregions with spider records: AUA – Australian Alps; NET – New England Tablelands; NNC – NSW North Coast; SEQ – South East Queensland; SHE – South Eastern Highlands; SYB – Sydney Basin.

AUSTRALIA: New South Wales: 1 female, Kosciuszko National Park, Three Mile Dam, 35°53’S, 148°27”E (AM KS27957).

The tegular apophysis in male A. alta has a distinctive shape with a terminal part that resembles, in ventral view of the pedipalp, a bicycle seat (Fig. 5E). The female here associated with A. alta has a distinct waved anterior border of the epigyne and two posterior dark lobes (Fig. 5G).

Figure 5.

Artoria alta (Framenau, 2004) male (AM KS44789), female (AM KS 27957): A, male habitus, dorsal view; B, male habitus, ventral view; C, female habitus, dorsal view; D, female habitus ventral view; E, male pedipalp, ventral view; F, male pedipalp, retrolateral view; G, epigyne, ventral view; H, epigyne, dorsal view. Scale bars: habitus 1.0 mm; pedipalp, epigyne 0.1 mm.

The male of A. alta has been described in detail (Framenau 2004). A diagnosis and diagnostic images (Figs 5A–H, 46L) are provided here to facilitate identification. A putative female of the species (the only female of Artoria currently known from alpine habitats near the type locality), is illustrated here (Fig. 4), although conspecifity remains unclear. The body colouration of the female is much more distinct than that of the male and this female may represent a different species. We decided to include the female here as potential candidate of the female A. alta to have a public documentation of this morphotype.

Artoria alta is known only from subalpine or alpine habitats in Kosciuszko National Park in New South Wales. Mature males and females have so far only been found in summer, between end of November and end of December.

Known only from Kosciuszko National Park, NSW, in the Australian Alps (AUA) IBRA region (Fig. 4).

Holotype male, 180 m off Barrington Tops Forest Road, Barrington Tops National Park [31°57’S, 151°25’E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA], 11–21 Jan 2012, J.R. Gollan, M.A. Ashcroft, pitfall trap, edge of upland swamp (AM KS122794).

Known only from type specimen.

The specific name is an adjective in apposition derived from the type locality, Barrington Tops National Park.

The tegular apophysis in males of A. barringtonensis sp. n. is distinct amongst the known species of the genus due to the presence of a row of apical teeth, which are visible in lateral view (Fig. 6D).

Male (based on holotype, AM KS122794).

Total length 3.6.

Prosoma. Length 2.3, width 1.5; carapace yellow-brown, dusted with grey and with an indistinct dark radial pattern; lateral margin and central band pale yellow, broader in cephalic area (Fig. 6A); sternum dark brown (Fig. 6B).

Eyes (Fig. 2B). Diameter of AME: 0.07; ALE: 0.10; PME: 0.25; PLE: 0.18.

Anterior eye row. Straight, distance between AME/AME at least twice of AME/ALE.

Chelicerae. Medium brown.

Labium. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 6B)

Pedipalp coxae. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 6B).

Legs. Femora and tibiae of leg I very dark; other legs yellow brown, with no annulations (Fig. 6A).

Opisthosoma. Length 1.6, width 1.3; dark grey with light yellow-brown anterior cardiac mark, reaching end of opisthosoma and light irregular pattern (Fig. 6A). Venter uniformly brownish-grey (Fig. 6B); spinnerets dark grey.

Pedipalps. Tibia as long as broad; cymbium tip with 4–5 macrosetae (Fig. 6C, D), dorsal scopula patch present; tegular apophysis long, rectangular distal part bulged, basally as wide as distally, retrolateral tip slightly hooked and not reaching margin of cymbium (Fig. 6C); palea about as long as wide; basoembolic apophysis short, broadly rounded; embolus widely v-shaped; terminal apophysis broad, tip long, triangular (Fig. 47A).

Female unknown.

Figure 6.

A–D, Artoria barringtonensis sp. n., male holotype (AM KS122794), E–H, Artoria bondi sp. n., male holotype (AM KS128073): A, habitus, dorsal view; B, habitus, ventral view; C, pedipalp, ventral view; D, pedipalp, retrolateral view; E, habitus, dorsal view; F, habitus, ventral view; G, pedipalp, ventral view; H, pedipalp, retrolateral view. Scale bars: habitus 1.0 mm; pedipalp 0.1 mm

The single male of this species was found at the edge of an upland swamp in summer (January).

Artoria barringtonensis sp. n. is known only from its type locality, the Barrington Tops National Park in the south-eastern NSW North Coast (NNC) IBRA region (Fig. 4).

Holotype male, Beaury State Forest, Tooloom Scrub [28°35’S, 152°22’E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA], sheltered ridge, 600–900 m alt., 12 December 1988, H. Smith et al., pitfall trap (AM KS127757). Paratypes: 1 female, 4 males, same data as holotype (AM KS51053); 4 males, 3 female, Yabbra Scrub State Forest, Yabbra Scrub (28°38’S, 152°30’E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA), swamp/dry sclerophyll, major creek, sheltered slope, 14 December 1988, coll. Smith, Hines, Pugh, Webber, pitfall trap, Focal Peak Survey UNE, Y10, 300 m alt. (AM KS86423); 1 male, 1 female, same data (ZMH A0002166).

Figure 7.

Artoria beaury sp. n., male holotype (AM KS127757), female paratype (AM KS51053): A, male habitus, dorsal view; B, male habitus, ventral view; C, female habitus, dorsal view; D, female habitus, ventral view; E, male pedipalp, ventral view; F, male pedipalp, retrolateral view; G, epigyne, ventral view; H, epigyne, dorsal view. Scale bars: habitus 1.0 mm; pedipalp, epigyne 0.1 mm.

92 males, 48 females and 2 juveniles in 58 records (all NSW). AUSTRALIA: New South Wales: 4 males, Acacia Plateau, Wilsons Peak area, Koreelah State Forest, 28°16’S, 152°27’E (AM KS52089, KS57759, KS57761); 27 males, 2 females, Bagawa Creek State Forest, 3 km NW of Caledonian Knob, 30°08’44”S, 152°55’47”E (AM KS61044, KS63390); 3 females, Beaury State Forest, northwards along Wallaby Creek Road, 28°24’47”S, 152°27’39”E (AM KS36144); 4 females, 2 juv., Beaury State Forest, SW end of Rock Waterhole Road, 28°33’S, 152°19’E (AM KS36135); 16 male, Beaury State Forest, Tooloom Scrub, 28°35’S, 152°22’E (AM KS50959, KS51277, KS51279, KS51294, KS51632, KS63738–9); 1 female, Boonoo State Forest, junction of Woolool Wooloolni and Basket Swamp Roads, 28°55’49”S, 152°08’21”E (AM KS37007); 2 females, Boonoo State Forest, Timbarra Trig, 28°56’41”S, 152°08’31”E (AM KS37009); 1 female, Boorook State Forest, 300 m NW of Gilgurry Mountain, 28°47’23”S, 152°10’56”E (AM KS36990); 4 females, Boorook State Forest, Boonoo Boonoo River, Saddle upstream from tributary of Boonoo Boonoo River below and E of Boonoo Boonoo Falls, 28°48’25”S, 152°11’03”E (AM KS36989); 2 females, Boundary Creek State Forest, Grahams Gully downstream of Boundary Creek Road, 29°58’36”S, 152°34’48”E (AM KS39703); 4 males, Cambridge Plateau, Richmond Range State Forest, 28°47’S, 152°45’E (AM KS49716, KS57690); 2 females, Carrai State Forest, Fife Fire Trail, 1.6 km NE of Fifes Knob Road, 30°55’21”S, 153°23’27”E (AM KS39990); 1 male, Cherry Tree North State Forest, 28°58’S, 152°15’E (AM KS49842); 1 male, 1 female, Coldwater Creek and Bushmans Range Roads junction, 1.5 km E, 30°11’54”S, 152°56’54”E (AM KS70101); 3 females, Conglomerate State Forest, Old Growth Road, 2.85 km from E end and 1.15 km from W end, off Sherwood Road, 30°06’49”S, 153°03’51”E (AM KS39705); 2 males, Dome Mountain, Richmond Range and Yabbra State Forest, 28°28’S, 152°43’E (AM KS53792, KS57749); 1 female, Dorrigo National Park, off Dorrigo-Bellingen Road, 20 km from Bellingen, 500 m S Newell Falls, 30°23’55”S, 152°44’56”E (AM KS35662); 1 female, Huonbrook Upper Cooper’s Creek, 28°42’S, 153°24’E (AM KS86235); 1 female, Kangaroo River State Forest, 200 m E of a point 550 m along Burns Road, 30°04’36”S, 152°52’05”E (AM KS39704); 11 males, 1 female, Koreelah State Forest, Acacia Plateau Wilsons Peak area, 28°16’S, 152°27’E (AM KS39399, KS43857, KS45237, KS49198, KS51312); 1 female, Leasehold land, 3.45 km along Wheatly Creek access Road on Camp Creek Road, 28°47’16”S, 152°18’56”E (AM KS37024); 4 females, Mt Belmore State Forest, 29°08’55”S, 152°45’52”E (AM KS88471–3); 1 female, Myall Lakes National Park, 32°37’56”S, 152°12’27”E (AM KS61939); 2 females, 4 km NE of Mt Wog Wog, 17 km SE Bombala, 37°04’30”S, 149°28’00”E (AM KS128881); 2 females, Oakes State Forest, Horseshoe Road, 1.2 km S of Killiekrankie Mt, 30°33’10”S, 152°32’15”E (AM KS61548); 1 female, Oakes State Forest, Sirius Road, 2 km from junction with Horseshoe Road, 30°29’19”S, 152°35’27”E (AM KS61583); 3 males, Richmond Range State Forest, Cambridge Plateau, 28°47’S, 152°45’E (AM KS63735); 1 male, Roses Creek State Forest, Scotchmans Peak, NE slope, 30°28’35”S, 152°39’54”E (AM KS62093); 1 female, Spirabo State Forest, Spirabo Fire Trail, near Five Bull Creek, 29°18’36”S, 152°06’25”E (AM KS36979); 3 females, Washpool National Park, Washpool Forest Way, 29°24’47”S, 152°17’00”E (AM KS37039); 1 female, Washpool Sate Forest, past Coombadjah to along Moogem Road, 29°16’S, 152°22’E (AM KS9364); 18 males, 5 females, Yabbra Scrub State Forest, Yabbra Scrub, 28°38’S, 152°30’E (AM KS44659, KS44820, KS44822, KS51046, KS51067, KS86423, KS128873).

The specific epithet is a noun in apposition and refers to the type locality, Beaury State Forest.

Pedipalps of male Artoria beaury sp. n. are most similar to Artoria helensmithae sp. n.; however, the basoembolic apophysis is broadly rounded (Fig. 47B) and not tapering as in Artoria helensmithae sp. n. (Fig. 47K). Legs I are darker than all other legs in male Artoria beaury sp. n. (Fig. 7A), but less so in Artoria helensmithae sp. n. (Fig. 24A). Female Artoria beaury sp. n. are very similar to Artoria helensmithae sp. n. whose posterior tips of the epigyne are further apart and less sclerotized (Fig. 7Gvs Fig. 24G)

Male (based on holotype, AM KS127757).

Total length 3.9.

Prosoma. Length 2.1, width 1.5; carapace light reddish-brown with dark radial pattern and black V-shaped pattern between cephalic and thoracic region; indistinct and irregular broad lighter marginal band (Fig. 7A); sternum light brown, dusted dark grey (Fig. 7B).

Eyes. Diameter of AME: 0.08; ALE: 0.05; PME: 0.23; PLE: 0.18.

Anterior eye row. Slightly procurved, evenly spaced.

Chelicerae. Dark brown, darker apically.

Labium. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 7B)

Pedipalp coxae. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 7B).

Legs. Femora and tibiae of leg I very dark to almost black; other legs brown, femora and tibia with darker annulations, particularly ventrally; tarsi and metatarsi lighter reddish-brown (Fig. 7A).

Opisthosoma. Length 1.8, width 1.1; cinnamon-brown with light yellow-brown anterior cardiac mark and dark grey irregular pattern mainly in posterior half (Fig. 7A). Venter cinnamon with darker pattern (Fig. 7B); spinnerets dark grey.

Pedipalps. Tibia as long as broad; Cymbium tip with 4–5 macrosetae (Fig. 7E,F); dorsal scopula patch absent; tegular apophysis distally widely scooped, basally narrowed to 1/3, retrolateral tip pointed and reaching margin of cymbium (Fig. 7E); palea about 1 1/2 as long as wide; basoembolic apophysis about as long as broad, broadly rounded; embolus broad, widely semicircular; terminal apophysis broad, tip triangular (Fig. 47B).

Female (based on paratype, AM KS51053).

Total length 5.0.

Prosoma. Length 2.4, width 1.6; carapace and sternum colouration as male (Fig. 7C, D).

Eyes. Diameter of AME 0.06, ALE 0.05, PME 0.25, PLE 0.16.

Anterior eye row. Slightly procurved, evenly spaced.

Chelicerae, labium, pedipalp coxae, legs and opisthosoma. Opisthosoma length 2.6, width 1.9; otherwise as male, but legs I not darker and opisthosoma pattern more obscure (Fig. 7D).

Epigyne about as long as wide, poorly sclerotized at posterior tips, atrium lighter (Fig. 7G); spermathecal heads globular about 1/5 of diameter apart, spermathecal stalks attached laterally and centrally bent (Fig. 7H).

Artoria beaury sp. n. is a forest species most commonly collected in litter from dry sclerophyll and subtropical forests or rainforests. Records also include Bunya and Hoop Pine plantations.

Mature males have only been found in November and December, mature females from November to May, with peaks in December and April. A single female with eggsac was found in March.

In NSW, Artoria beaury sp. n. occurs in the north-east, principally in the NSW North Coast (NNC), New England Tablelands (NET) and South Eastern Queensland (SEQ) IBRA regions with a single isolated record also from the South East Coastal (SEC) region (Fig. 8). Artoria beaury sp. n. has also been found in south-eastern Queensland (V.W. Framenau, unpublished data).

Figure 8.

Distribution records of Artoria beaury sp. n. (full circles) and A. belfordensis sp. n. (open circles) in NSW. IBRA bioregions with spider records: NET – New England Tablelands; NNC – NSW North Coast; SEC – South East Coastal; SEQ – South East Queensland; SYB – Sydney Basin.

Holotype male, Belford National Park, 60 m from Kirkton Road and 2.5 km east of Belford (32°39’S, 151°18’E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA), 17–27 June 2012, J.R. Gollan, M.A. Ashcroft, pitfall trap, canopy of trees but moderate condition, (AM KS127759). Paratypes: 5 males, same data as holotype (AM KS122425); 2 males, 1 female, Maroota State Forest (33°31’S, 150°59’E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA), 26 October 1979, G.A. Webb, NSW States Forest Survey H/8 (AM KS73425).

18 males 13 records (all NSW). AUSTRALIA : New South Wales: 1 male, Currawong, 33°36’S, 151°18’E (AM KS86426); 3 males, Ferntree Gully Reserve, approx. 170 m from Bylong Valley Way and 4 km SW of Ginghi, 32°37’20”S, 150°03’37”E (AM KS122454); 1 male, Goulburn River National Park, approx. 120 m from Bylong Valley Way and 6 km E of Bylong, 32°24’18”S, 150°11’10”E (AM KS122446); 13 males, Maroota State Forest, 33°31’S, 150°59’E (AM KS73313, KS73327, KS73338, KS73384, KS73388, KS73397, KS73407, KS73441, KS84096); 1 female, same locality (AM KS 73452); 1 female, Wallaroo State Forest, Flaggy Creek, 32°36’03”S, 151°48’07”E (AM KS39707); 1 female, Yengo National Park, approx. 90 m from Howes Trail Road, 32°53’32”S, 150°52’47”E (AM KS122319); Yesabah Caves, near Kempsey, 31°05’S, 152°43’E (AM KS84058).

The specific name is an adjective in apposition derived from the type locality, Belford National Park.

Males of A. belfordensis sp. n. differ from all other Artoria species, except A. taeniifera, by the base of the basoembolic apophysis, which is drawn out into an apical tip (Fig. 47C). It differs from A. taeniifera by the shape of the tegular apophysis, distinctly two-pronged in A. taeniifera, but three-lobed in A. belfordensis sp. n. There is some variation in this character, but also in the shape of the tegular apophysis within this species. Too little material is available to judge if this represents intra- or interspecific variation. We therefore consider this variation capable of occurring within one species. Females are most similar to females of A. taeniifera but differs in the shape of the atrium which is inverted U-shaped in A. taeniifera (Fig. 38G) and obscure in A. belfordensis (Fig. 9G).

Male (based on holotype AM KS127759; palea AM KS122425).

Total length 4.3.

Prosoma. Length 2.5, width 1.8; carapace light yellow-brown with indistinct dark radial and black V-shaped pattern between cephalic and thoracic region; covered with dark setae centrally and marginally with a band of lighter setae (Fig. 9A); sternum medium brown, dusted dark grey (Fig. 9B).

Eyes (Fig. 2D). Diameter of AME: 0.09; ALE: 0.08; PME: 0.26; PLE: 0.21.

Anterior eye row. Strongly procurved, evenly spaced.

Chelicerae. Dark brown darker apically.

Labium. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 9B)

Pedipalp coxae. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 9B).

Legs. Yellow brown with darker annulations tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi darker, less annulated (Fig. 9A).

Opisthosoma. Length 1.8, width 1.3; yellow-brown with light yellow-brown anterior cardiac mark covered with white setae, and dark grey irregular pattern mainly in posterior half (Fig. 9A). Venter yellow-brown with darker pattern (Fig. 9A); spinnerets dark grey.

Pedipalps. Tibia globular, as long as broad; Cymbium tip without macrosetae (Fig. 9E, F); dorsal scopula patch absent; tegular apophysis long, nearly rectangular distally slightly scooped, basally narrowed to 2/3, retrolateral tip pointed, not reaching margin of cymbium (Fig. 9E); basoembolic apophysis nearly twice as long as broad, broadly rectangular indented medially; embolus broad, widely semicircular; terminal apophysis broad, tip pointed (Fig. 47C).

Female (based on paratype, AM KS73425).

Total length 3.4.

Prosoma. Length 1.9, width 1.3; carapace and sternum colouration as male, although somewhat lighter (Fig. 9C, D).

Eyes. Diameter of AME 0.05, ALE 0.04, PME 0.19, PLE 0.16.

Anterior eye row. Strongly procurved, evenly spaced.

Chelicerae, labium, pedipalp coxae, legs and opisthosoma. Opisthosoma length 1.9, width 1.2; otherwise as male, but legs I not darker and opisthosoma pattern more obscure (opisthosoma deflated due to preservation) (Fig. 9C, D).

Epigyne slightly wider than long, obscure, with heavily sclerotized posterior tips (Fig. 9G); spermathecal heads ovoid about 1/2 of diameter apart, spermathecal stalks attached postero-laterally and slightly S-shaped (Fig. 9H).

Figure 9.

Artoria belfordensis sp. n., male holotype (AM KS127759), female paratype (AM KS73425): A, male habitus, dorsal view; B, male habitus, ventral view; C, female habitus, dorsal view; D, female habitus, ventral view; E, male pedipalp, ventral view; F, male pedipalp, retrolateral view; G, epigyne, ventral view; H, epigyne, dorsal view. Scale bars: habitus 1.0 mm; pedipalp, epigyne 0.1 mm.

Artoria belfordensis sp. n. was collected in undisturbed or moderately disturbed forest. Mature males were collected in June, October and November and the single female in October, indicating winter to spring maturity.

This species is known from central eastern NSW, principally the Sydney Basin (SYB) and NSW North Coast (NNC) IBRA regions (Fig. 8).

Holotype female of Lycosa berenice L. Koch. 1877, no locality given, Bradley Collection, considered lost (not examined). Syntypes of Pardosa versicolor L. Koch, 1877, unknown number of male and female specimens, Sydney (33°53’S, 151°13’E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA), Bradley Collection, considered lost (not examined). Holotype female of Lycosa naevia L. Koch, 1878, Sydney, (33°53’S, 151°13’E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA), Museum Godeffroy No. 14560 (ZSMH A0000051, Rack (1961)-catalogue 469 (examined). Holotype female of Lycosa ambrymiana Berland, 1938, Mont Marum, Ambrym (16°15'5"S, 168°07'E, VANUATU), 9 January 1936, Aubert de la Rue, 900 m (MNHP) (not examined). Allotype male of Lycosa ambrymiana Berland, 1938, data as holotype (MNHP) (not examined).

Figure 10.

A, B, E, F, Artoria lineata (L. Koch, 1877), male holotype (ZSMH A0000052); C, D, G, H, A berenice (L. Koch, 1877), female holotype (ZSMH A0000051). A, habitus, dorsal view; B, habitus, ventral view; C, habitus dorsal view; D, habitus ventral view; E, male pedipalp, ventral view; F, male pedipalp, retrolateral view; G, epigyne, ventral view; H, epigyne, dorsal view. Scale bars: habitus 1.0 mm; pedipalp, epigyne 0.1 mm.

237 males, 239 females (1 with eggsac, 1 with spiderlings) and 27 juveniles in 152 records (all NSW). AUSTRALIA : New South Wales: 1 male, 4 km NE of Mount Wog Wog, 17 km SE Bombala, 37°04’30”S, 149°28’00”E (AM KS98806); 1 female, same locality (AM KS98802) ; 1 female, Armidale Point Lookout, 30°29’S, 152°25’E (AM KS48847); 1 female, Badja State Forest, Wiola Creek Fire Trail, 36°05’24”S, 149°34’51”E (AM KS66806); 1 female, Ballengarra State Forest, 2 km S of Ballengarra Creek crossing on Greys Road, 31°14’48”S, 152°45’53”E (AM KS39781); 5 males, 1 female, Barren Grounds Nature Reserve, 14 km NW Jamberoo, Illawarra Escarpment, 34°40’28”S, 150°42’45”E (AM KS63093, KS63097, KS63099); 1 male, Barrington Tops National Park, 40 m off Barrington Tops Forest Road, 31°54’51”S, 151°29’54”E (AM KS123078); 1 male, Barrington Tops National Park, Gloucester Tops, gate on Kerripit Road, 32°03’43”S, 151°34’39”E (AM KS128554); 6 males, 2 females, Barrington Tops Reserve, Barrington Trail, 31°56’37”S, 151°26’53”E (AM KS102918); 2 males, 2 females, Barrington Tops State Forest, W of junction Thunderbolts Trail and Devils Hole Track, 31°54’56”S, 151°28’37”E (AM KS39782); 1 male, Barrington Tops State Forest, Tugalow Creek, Barrington Trail, E side of trail, 31°54’41”S, 151°26’39”E (AM KS39786); 1 female, Beaury State Forest, Rocky Waterholes Road, 28°32’49”S, 152°20’11”E (AM KS36158); 1 female, Bellinger River State Forest, NW of Thora, 30°25’03”S, 152°45’30”E (AM KS75350); 1 female, Ben Halls Gap State Forest, (AM KS89900); 2 females, Boorook State Forest, 1 km E of main road, 28°49’20”S, 152°11’14”E (AM KS36994); 2 females, Boorook State Forest, Boorook Creek Crossing, Colongan Road, 28°51’53”S, 152°11’46”E (AM KS37004); 4 males, Booti Booti National Park, 32°14’44”S, 152°32’33”E (AM KS61857–8, KS61863, KS61901); 1 male, 2 females, Botany, 33°57’S, 151°12’E (AM KS4139, KS66168, KS84085); 3 females, Boundary Creek State Forest, 1.9 km along Sheas Nob Road from Boundary Road, 29°59’25”S, 152°34’33”E (AM KS39773); 1 male, Boundary Creek State Forest, 100 m S of junction of Dills Road and Boundary Creek Road, 29°58’14”S, 152°36’51”E (AM KS39775); 7 females, Boundary Creek State Forest, 1 km N along Joebill Road from Shannon Creek Road, 29°56’13”S, 152°33’12”E (AM KS39772); 1 female, Bulga State Forest, 600 m N of Homewoods Road, 2.8 km W of Knodingbul Road, 31°37’03”S, 152°07’44”E (AM KS40745); 1 male, Bungawalbin State Forest, 29°09’48”S, 153°07’39”E (AM KS88482); 1 female, Bungawalbin State Forest, 29°08’04”S, 153°08’01”E (AM KS88456); 1 male, Bungonia, 34°48’S, 150°01’E (WAM T55469); 1 male, Bungonia Caves area near Information Centre, 34°48’02”S, 150°00’57”E (AM KS85150); 1 female, ridge between Camp Creek and Stydgy Creek, 28°46’18”S, 152°18’08”E (AM KS37016); 3 males, Carrai State Forest, 31°00’19”S, 152°16’24”E (AM KS120314); 2 females, 1 juv., Carrai State Forest, Fifes Knob Road, 2 km from Fifes Fire Trail, 30°54’55”S, 152°22’08”E (AM KS39994); 6 females, Carrai State Forest, Fifes Knob Road, 4 km from Fifes Fire Trail, 30°54’03”S, 152°22’12”E (AM KS39993); 1 female, Conglomerat State Forest, 1.7 km NW along Murphy’s Road from Madmans Creek bridge, on S side of ridge, 30°03’57”S, 153°05’58”E (AM KS39774); 2 males, Coolah Tops National Park, Breeza Lookout, 31°49’17”S, 150°11’28”E (AM KS75150, KS75413); 3 male, 1 female, Coolah Tops National Park, Bald Hill Track., 2.5 km from The Forest Road, 31°45’02”S, 150°01’26”E (AM KS75080, KS75089); 1 female, Coolah Tops National Park, The Forest Road, 0.3km E of Hildegard Road, 31°43’59”S, 150°02’04”E (AM KS75426); 3 male, Coolangubra State Forest, Gawcool, 37°00’S, 149°22’E (collno5 KS73186, KS73191); 3 males, Devils Pulpit State Forest, 29°15’45”S, 153°13’46”E (collno5 KS88488, KS88490–1); 1 female, Doubleduke State Forest, junction of Range Road and Lockleys Road, 29°14’04”S, 153°11’10”E (AM KS39769); 1 male, Doubleduke State Forest, Jackybulbin Flat Road, 0.3 km S of junction with Range Road, 29°14’17”S, 153°9’45”E (AM KS39770); 2 males, East Boyd State Forest, Anteater Road, 37°12’S, 149°45’E (AM KS116390, KS116411); 1 female, Enfield State Forest, 31°57’9”S, 151°51’40”E (AM KS74567);1 female, Enfield State Forest, Dodds Fire Trail, 2 km from Enfield Road on Scrubby Creek, 31°23’57”S, 151°52’39”E (AM KS39779); 2 females, Enfield State Forest, Double Dumps fire trail, 700 m off Daisy Patch Road, 31°20’49”S, 151°54’01”E (AM KS39778); 2 females, Enfield State Forest, Mummel Forest Road, 6.1 km N of junction with Enfield Road, 31°17’36”S, 151°51’43”E (AM KS39776); 2 males, 3 females, Enfield State Forest, Mummel Forest Road, 8.8 km N of junction with Enfield Forest Road, 31°16’44”S, 151°50’47”E (AM KS39777); 1 male, Ewingar State Forest, Nogrigar Road, 29°9’17”S, 152°26’11”E (AM KS39771); 1 female, Frazer Reserve, Wahroonga, 33°43’S, 151°08’E (AM KS54478); 3 females, Gilgurry State Forest, Rivertree Fire Trail, on ridge 2 km NNE from turnoff, 28°45’18”S, 152°15’52”E (AM KS37021); 1 male, Jamberoo Mountain, 34°40’S, 150°43’E (AM KS65686); 53 males, 11 females, 6 juv., Jamieson Park, Narrabeen, 33°43’S, 151°18’E (AM KS44530, KS44534, KS44537–8, KS44542, KS44587, KS49025, KS49041, KS49631); 1 female, Kangaroo River State Forest, 1.5 km along Burns Road from junction with Kangaroo Creek Road, 30°04’19”S, 152°52’31”E (AM KS39789); 1 male, Kunderang Station Creek, above, NE facing slope, 30°48’26”S, 152°06’26”E (AM KS85383); 1 male, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, Challenger Track, 33°35’S, 151°16’E (WAM T108510); 1 male, Ku-Ring-Gai Chase National Park, McCarrs Creek, 33°39’47”S, 151°15’48”E (ZMUC); 4 males, 3 females, Mangrove, 3 km SW, 33°22’28”S, 151°15’39”E (AM KS61754, KS63308); 6 females, 7 juv., Marengo State Forest, 0.4 km ENE junction Hardens and Chaelundi Roads, 30°08’15”S, 152°25’18”E (AM KS35665); 1 male, 1 female, Marengo State Forest, 0.4 km SW on Chimney Road from Buckboard and Foamy Creek Roads, 30°06’9”S, 152°25’11”E (AM KS35673); 3 females, Marengo State Forest, 2.2 km NE on Chimney Road from Chaelundi Road, 30°06’21”S, 152°24’41”E (AM KS35677); 1 female, Money Creek, Gosford, 33°25’S, 151°20’E (AM KS84084); 7 females, Morgan Creek, 5.9 km NE from creek crossing, 28°46’31”S, 152°18’45”E (AM KS37028); 4 males, 1 female, Mount Kembla, Sydney Catchment Authority Reserve, 34°26’33”S, 150°44’24”E (AM KS63004, KS63039, KS128555); 3 males, Mt Boss State Forest (Easy Creek), 31°12’S, 152°24’E (AM KS43539); 12 males, 1 juv., Mt Boss State Forest (Fenwicks), 31°12’S, 152°24’E (AM KS43514); 29 males, 4 females, 1 juv., Mt Boss State Forest (Kota), 31°12’S, 152°24’E (AM KS84087); 1 male, Mt Gillies, near Mt Lindsay, 30°16’S, 150°10’E (QM S64001); 3 females, Mt Hyland Nature Reserve, 0.9 km S on Chaelundi Road from Big Bull Road, 30°9’14”S, 152°27’58”E (AM KS35669); 2 males, Mt Hyland Nature Reserve, 1.9 km N on Chaelundi Road from Big Bull Road, 30°08’55”S, 152°26’36”E (AM KS35664); 8 females, Mt Royal Road, 56 km NW Singleton, 32°15’S, 151°20’E (AM KS86801); 2 males, 1 female, Munmorah State Recreation Area, 33°12’34”S, 151°34’59”E (AM KS61860, KS61910, KS64050); 2 males, Munmorah State Recreation Area, 33°13’9”S, 151°34’15”E (AM KS61882,KS61903); 1 female, Muogamarra Nature Reserve, Pacific Hwy, 0.7 km SE Bird Gully Swamp, 33°33’42”S, 151°11’15”E (AM KS61818); 1 female, Nerang State Forest, Sharpers Creek, Boundary Road, N of Sharpers Road, 32°31’37”S, 152°07’13”E (AM KS39780); 1 female, New England National Park, opposite Tom’s Cabin, 30°29’55”S, 152°23’51”E (AM KS91020); 1 male, North Roto, North of Coombe, 32°03’S, 145°28’E (NMV K7704); 1 male, Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, East Kunderang Track, 30°48’25”S, 152°07’09”E (AM KS125239); 3 males, 1 female, 1 juv., Nowra, 34°53’S, 150°36’E (AM KS85384); 1 male, 2 females, Nullo Mountain State Forest, approx. 200 m from Coxs Creek Road and 8 km east of Coxs Creek, 32°44’40”S, 150°13’24”E (AM KS122739); 1 female, Oakwood State Forest, 250 m upstream of London Bridge Fire Trail, 29°54’23”S, 152°05’25”E (AM KS36954); 1 female, Phoenix Cave, Bungonia, 34°48’02”S, 150°00’57”E (AM KS14415); 1 female, Pittwater, Sydney, 33°36’S, 151°18’E (AM KS84088); 1 female, Ponderosa Forest Park, Nundle State Forest, 31°27’30”S, 151°15’00”E (QM S64000); 1 male, 3 females, Private land ‘Forster Kennels’, 150 m from Failford Road and 400m west of Failford, 32°05’33”S, 152°26’34”E (AM KS122815); 3 males, 4 females, Private Land ‘Franks Breakaway’, 1 km from Narango Road and 3 km east of Olinda, 32°50’05”S, 150°11’04”E (AM KS122759); 1 female, Putty State Forest; approx. 80 m from Hunter Main Trail and just past ‘3 Ways’, 32°45’26”S, 150°33’45”E (AM KS122282); 1 female, Ramornie State Forest, Main Creek, track off Mt Tindal Road, 29°43’01”S, 152°38’24”E (AM KS39768); 14 females, Ramornie State Forest, Mt Tindal Road, 29°41’49”S, 152°35’00”E (AM KS39763); 1 female, Ramornie State Forest, Mt Tindal Road, 29°42’12”S, 152°35’26”E (AM KS39764); 1 female, Ramornie State Forest, track off Mt Tindal Road, headwaters of Valoren, 29°42’18”S, 152°35’52”E (AM KS39765); 1 female, Ramornie State Forest, track off T-Ridge Road, 29°43’00”S, 152°33’23”E (AM KS39766); 5 females, Ramornie State Forest, T-Ridge Road, 29°43’13”S, 152°33’38”E (AM KS39767); 2 males, 1 female, Riamukka State Forest, 31°22’55”S, 151°45’44”E (AM KS74621); 3 females, Richmond Ranges State Forest, Mt Brown Road (0.1 km N from Y intersection), 28°37’56”S, 152°43’18”E (AM KS36022); 1 male, Royal National Park, Sir Bertram Stevens Drive, ca. 0.3 km E Artillery Hill, 34°04’55”S, 151°03’40”E (AM KS63165); 15 males, 7 females, Barrington Tops Reserve, Barrington Trail, 31°56’37”S, 151°26’53”E (AM KS102928); 1 male, Seven Mile Beach National Park, picnic area, 34°47’30”S, 150°46’44”E (AM KS119174); 1 female, 1 juv., St Georges Basin, 35°05’S, 150°35’E (AM KS22641); 5 females, Stewarts Brook State Forest, 31°56’15”S, 151°26’26”E (AM KS39787); 1 female, Stewarts Brook State Forest, 0.7 km W along unnamed logging track from Brook Road, 31°54’16”S, 151°23’36”E (AM KS39783); 26 males, 22 females, Stewarts Brook State Forest, 2.5 km S of junction of Tubrabucca and Omadale Brook Roads, 31°54’55”S, 151°23’59”E (AM KS39788); 1 female, Stewarts Brook State Forest, Bull Gully, W junction of Bull Gully and Bull Ridge Roads, 31°57’24”S, 151°22’36”E (AM KS39785); 2 females, Stewarts Brook State Forest, junction Bull Ridge Road and Barrington Forest Road, 31°57’18”S, 151°23’29”E (AM KS39784); 1 male, 4 females, Styx River State Forest, 30°31’18”S, 152°20’32”E (AM KS74658); 4 males, 1 female, 4 juv., Styx River State Forest, off Cunnawarra Trail, 30°32’36”S, 152°20’46”E (AM KS35648); 2 females, 5 juv., Styx River State Forest, off Cunnawarra Trail, about 2 km N Cunnawarra Creek, 30°32’49”S, 152°20’16”E (AM KS35649); 2 females, Sydney, 33°53’S, 151°13’E (MMUS); 1 female, Wahroonga Fraser Reserve, 33°43’S, 151°08’E (AM KS57285); 4 females, Warra State Forest, Moggs Swamp Fire Trail, 2.5 km N of Moggs Swamp Creek, 29°57’32”S, 151°58’18”E (AM KS36965); 2 females, Washpool National Park, North West Fire Trail, 29°27’30”S, 152°16’52”E (AM KS37043); 1 female, Washpool National Park, Washpool Forest Way, 29°24’47”S, 152°17’00”E (AM KS37042); 1 female, Washpool State Forest, Coobadjah Creek, 0.6 km from Moongem Road, 29°16’S, 152°22’E (AM KS9239); 1 female, Watagans National Park, approx. 40 m from Watagan Forest Road, 33°00’20”S, 151°23’57”E (AM KS122332); 1 male, Waterfall, 34°08’S, 151°00’E (AM KS85382); 1 female, Werrikimbe National Park, Cobcroft Creek Rest area, 31°13’S, 152°11’E (AM KS54482); 10 males, 3 females, Werrikimbe National Park, Kangaroo Flat, 31°10’23”S, 152°9’45”E (AM KS120919, KS120938, KS120888, KS120942, KS120952); 6 females, 0.5 km from Wheatley Creek Road on Camp Creek Road, 28°47’00”S, 152°19’29”E (AM KS37018); 3 females, 3.45 km along Wheatly Creek access Road on Camp Creek Road, 28°47’16”S, 152°18’56”E (AM KS37026); 15 females, Wheatly Creek headwaters, 28°45’07”S, 152°19’44”E (AM KS37033); 1 female, 2.8 km from Wheatley Creek access Road (on Camp Creek), 28°47’10”S, 152°18’37”E (AM KS37012); 1 male, 1 female, Woronora Dam Catchment, Princes Hwy ca. 0.1 km NW Southern, freeway overpass, 34°11’31”S, 150°57’58”E (AM KS63250); 1 male, Wyrrabalong National Park, 33°16’47”S, 151°32’40”E (AM KS84086); 1 male, Wyrrabalong National Park, 33°16’48”S, 151°32’45”E (AM KS64056).

Males of A. berenice can easily be distinguished from all other species of Artoria by the presence of a small tooth on the ventral side of the tegular apophysis (Fig. 11E). Females have a distinctive, poorly sclerotized epigyne that is much longer than wide and has the lateral borders widening posteriorly (Fig. 11G).

Artoria berenice has been described in detail (Framenau 2002; 2005). A diagnosis and diagnostic images (Figs 10C, D, G, H, 11A–H, 46H) are provided here to facilitate identification, especially in differentiation from similar newly-described species.

Figure 11.

Artoria berenice (L. Koch, 1877), male and female (AM KS75080): A, male habitus, dorsal view; B, male habitus, ventral view; C, female habitus, dorsal view; D, female habitus, ventral view; E, male pedipalp, ventral view; F, male pedipalp, retrolateral view; G, epigyne, ventral view; H, epigyne, dorsal view. Scale bars: habitus 1.0 mm; pedipalp, epigyne 0.1 mm.

In NSW males and females appear from late August with highest numbers throughout October to January. Males are rarely found in March but then appear again in April and May. Females occur throughout summer and autumn until May, with two activity peaks in November/December and April and can sometimes be found into the winter months. A female with eggsac was found in November and one with spiderlings in December.

Artoria berenice is a forest species. Habitat descriptions found on collection labels include ‘wet sclerophyll’, ‘semi-cleared woodland near Pinus plantation’, ‘grassy forest’, ‘Eucalyptus botryoides-Allocasuarina torulosa, open forest’, ‘Angophora costata woodland ridge top, open forest’, but also ‘gravel pit’, and ‘cave entrance, cave in doline’.

In NSW, A. berenice is particularly found east of the Great Dividing Range, i.e. in the coastal South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), NSW North Coastal (NNC), Sydney Basin (SYB), and South East Corner (SEC) IBRA bioregions. It has been found west of the Great Dividing Range, with one single isolated record from central NSW (Fig. 12). Artoria berenice has also been found in Queensland, eastern Victoria and throughout Tasmania and occurs in New Caledonia and Vanuatu (Framenau 2005).

Holotype male, Bondi State Forest, woodlot 3 (37°08’S, 149°09’E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA), 26 Nov 1980 G. Gowing et al., pitfall trap, Banksia (AM KS128073). Paratypes: 3 males, same as holotype (AM KS116188).

Known only from type material.

The specific name is a noun in apposition referring to the type locality, Bondi State Forest.

Similar to other species in the lineata-group, the tegular apophysis of the male pedipalp is spoon-shaped (Fig. 6G) in A. bondi sp. n., but is much smaller than in A. lineata, A. quadrata or A. ulrichi. In that, A. bondi sp. n. males resemble A. strepera sp. n. males in which the embolus and terminal apophysis protrude much further behind the tegulum than in A. bondi sp. n.

Male (based on holotype, AM KS128073).

Total length 3.6.

Prosoma. Length 2.0, width 1.3, carapace yellow-brown, dusted with grey and indistinct dark radial pattern; lateral margin and central band pale yellow, broader in cephalic area, constricted halfway between cephalic area and fovea (Fig. 6E); sternum yellow-brown, dusted dark grey (Fig. 6F). Pale area covered with white setae.

Eyes. Diameter of AME: 0.08; ALE: 0.10; PME: 0.24; PLE: 0.15.

Anterior eye row. Straight, evenly spaced.

Chelicerae. Dark brown.

Labium. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 6F).

Pedipalp coxae. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 6F).

Legs. Yellow brown with darker annulations; tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi darker, less annulated (Fig. 6E).

Opisthosoma. Length 1.6, width 1.2; cinnamon-brown with pale anterior cardiac mark and dark grey irregular pattern (Fig. 6E). Venter cinnamon with darker pattern (Fig. 6F), pale area covered with white setae; spinnerets dark grey.

Pedipalps. Tibia globular, as long as broad; cymbium tip with 4–5 macrosetae (Fig. 6G, H); dorsal scopula patch absent; tegular apophysis spoon-shaped, basally narrowed to 1/2, tip rounded not reaching margin of cymbium (Fig. 6G); palea about 1 1/2 as long as wide; basoembolic apophysis about twice as long as broad, tip pointed; embolus spatulate, widely semicircular; terminal apophysis small, tip rounded (Fig. 47D).

Female unknown.

The type material of Artoria bondi sp. n. has been found in Banksia woodland in November.

Artoria bondi sp. n. is currently known only from its type locality, the Bondi State Forest in south-eastern NSW in the South Eastern Highlands (SEH) IBRA region (Fig. 12).

Figure 12.

Distribution records of Artoria berenice (L. Koch, 1877) (grey circles), A. bondi sp. n. (full circle) and A. booderee sp. n. (full squares) in NSW. IBRA bioregions with spider records: BBS – Brigalow Belt South; MDD – Murray Darling Depression; NAN – Nandewar; NET – New England Tablelands; NNC – NSW North Coast; SEQ – South East Queensland; SEH – South Eastern Highlands; SEC – South East Corner; SYB – Sydney Basin.

Holotype male, Booderee National Park, southern headland of Jervis Bay (35°08’49”S, 150°45’05”E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA), 20–25 August 1999, L. Gibson, pitfall trap (AM KS128069). Paratypes: 2 males, same data as holotype (AM KS62929); 1 female, Beecroft Peninsula, northern headland of Jervis Bay (35°03’03”S, 150°47’21”E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA), 1–5 August 1999, L. Gibson, pitfall trap (AM KS63500).

4 males and 6 females in 6 records (all NSW). AUSTRALIA: New South Wales: 1 male, Beecroft Peninsula, northern headland of Jervis Bay, 35°03’03”S, 150°47’21”E (AM KS63504); 2 females, same locality (AM KS63448); 1 female, same locality (AM KS63480); 1 male, Booderee National Park, southern headland of Jervis Bay, 35°08’49”S, 150°45’05”E (AM KS62921); 2 males, same locality (AM KS62932); 3 females, same locality (AM KS84097); 1 male, Mt Kembla, Sydney Catchment Authority Reserve, 34°26’33”S, 150°04’24”E (AM KS128999).

The specific name is a noun in apposition referring to the type locality, Booderee National Park.

Males of A. booderee sp. n. share with A. corowa sp. n., A. munmorah sp. n. and A. equipalus sp. n. a distinctly bi-lobed tegular apophysis. They differ by having a more elongated cymbium with ca. 2–3 distinct macrosetae on its tip, with 4–5 present in A. equipalus sp. n. and absent in both other species of this group. The epigyne of female A. booderee sp. n. is incised posteriorly and most similar to that of A. corowa sp. n., but the anterior edge of the epigyne in A. booderee sp. n. is distinctly semi-circular, not so in A. corowa sp. n.

Male (based on holotype, AM KS128069).

Total length 3.9.

Prosoma. Length 2.3, width 1.6; carapace light yellow-brown with indistinct darker radial pattern; indistinct broad lighter central band and narrow lighter marginal band (Fig. 13A); sternum light brown, dusted with grey (Fig. 13B).

Eyes. Diameter of AME: 0.09; ALE: 0.10; PME: 0.28; PLE: 0.22.

Anterior eye row. Straight, evenly spaced.

Chelicerae. Dark brown.

Labium. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 13B).

Pedipalp coxae. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 13B).

Legs. Yellow brown with darker annulations; tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi darker, less annulated (Fig. 13A).

Opisthosoma. Length 1.6, width 1.2; yellow-brown with light yellow-brown anterior cardiac mark and dark grey irregular pattern laterally (Fig. 13A). Venter light-brown with slightly darker pattern (Fig. 13B); spinnerets dark grey.

Pedipalps. Tibia globular, as long as broad; cymbium tip with 3 macrosetae (Fig. 13E, F); dorsal scopula patch present; tegular apophysis distally widely scooped, deeply indented basally narrowing to 1/3 width, prolateral tip hooked, retrolateral tip rounded and reaching over margin of cymbium (Fig. 13E, F); palea about 1 1/2 times as long as wide; basoembolic apophysis about as long as broad, triangular; embolus broad, widely semicircular; terminal apophysis broad (Fig. 47E).

Female (based on paratype AM KS63500).

Total length 4.3.

Prosoma. Length 2.2, width 1.5; carapace and sternum colouration as male (Fig. 13C, D).

Eyes. Diameter of AME 0.07, ALE 0.09, PME 0.23, PLE 0.16.

Anterior eye row. Strongly procurved, evenly spaced.

Opisthosoma. Length 2.1, width 1.8; opisthosoma darker and cardiac mark smaller and less distinct (Fig. 13C).

Epigyne: atrium narrow, inverted u-shaped, strongly sclerotized at posterior tips (Fig. 13G, spermathecal heads globular around 2 x their diameter apart, stalks attached postero-laterally (Fig. 13H).

Figure 13.

A. booderee sp. n., male holotype (AM KS128069), female paratype (AM KS63500): A, male habitus, dorsal view; B, male habitus, ventral view; C, female habitus, dorsal view; D, female habitus, ventral view; E, male pedipalp, ventral view; F, male pedipalp, retrolateral view; G, epigyne, ventral view; H, epigyne, dorsal view. Scale bars: habitus 1.0 mm; pedipalp, epigyne 0.1 mm.

Artoria booderee sp. n. appears to be a coastal species, as it has so far only been found on the northern and southern headlands around Jervis Bay and near Sydney. No habitat data were included on the locality labels.

All mature males at Jervis Bay were collected in August. The one from Sydney specimen was collected in December. Mature females were found in August, December and February suggesting that A. booderee sp. n. is a not tightly synchronised with any specific season.

Known only from around Jervis Bay and the Mt Kembla Basin in the Sydney Basin (SYB) IBRA region (Fig. 12).

Figure 14.

Artoria corowa sp. n., male holotype (AM KS128079), female paratype (AM KS76583): A, male habitus, dorsal view; B, male habitus, ventral view; C, female habitus, dorsal view; D, female habitus, ventral view; E, male pedipalp, ventral view; F, male pedipalp, retrolateral view; G, epigyne, ventral view; H, epigyne, dorsal view. Scale bars: habitus 1.0 mm; pedipalp, epigyne 0.1 mm.

Holotype male, 40 m from Comleroi Road and 2 km N of Warkworth, private land [32°32’59”S, 151°01’22”E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA, 27 Jun 2012, J.R. Gollan, M.A. Ashcroft, pitfall trap, She-oak forest no understory (AM KS128078). Paratype: 1 female, same as holotype (AM KS122431).

Known only from type material.

The specific name is a noun in apposition referring to the type locality, Comleroi Road.

Figure 15.

Distribution records of Artoria comleroi sp. n. (full circle), A. corowa sp. n. (open circles), A. equipalus sp. n. (grey circle), A. extraordinaria sp. n. (grey squares) and A. flavimana Simon, 1909 (full squares) in NSW and ACT. IBRA bioregions with spider records: AUA – Australian Alps; COP – Cobar Peneplain; DRP – Darling River Plains; NET – New England Tablelands; NNC – NSW North Coast; RIV – Riverina; SEH – South Eastern Highlands; SEC – South East Corner; SYB – Sydney Basin.

Males of A. comleroi sp. n. are most similar to those of A. slatyeri sp. n. based on the elongated spoon-shaped tegular apophysis. They differ by an apical small lobe being present in A. comleroi sp. n. Females of A. comleroi sp. n. display an epigyne shape with the atrium forming two distinct ovoid depressions in ventral view.

Male (based on holotype, AM KS128078).

Total length 3.6.

Prosoma. Length 2.0, width 1.5; carapace dark grey; with distinct narrow lighter marginal band and narrow central band, widening towards posterior margin (Fig. 16A); sternum medium-brown, dusted with grey (Fig. 16B).

Eyes. Diameter of AME: 0.08; ALE: 0.09; PME: 0.23; PLE: 0.21.

Anterior eye row. Strongly procurved, evenly spaced.

Chelicerae. Dark brown curved outwards.

Labium. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 16B)

Pedipalp coxae. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 16B).

Legs. Pale, with darker annulations; metatarsi and tarsi darker, less annulated (Fig. 16A).

Opisthosoma. Length 1.6, width 1.2; dark grey with light yellow-brown anterior cardiac mark and lighter irregular markings (Fig. 16A). Venter grey with indistinct lighter pattern (Fig. 16B); spinnerets dark grey.

Pedipalps. Tibia about twice long as broad; cymbium tip with 4–5 macrosetae (Fig. 16E, F); dorsal scopula patch present; tegular apophysis triangular, distally scooped, basally narrowed to 1/3, retrolateral tip rounded just reaching margin of cymbium (Fig. 16E); palea about as long as wide, basoembolic apophysis about as long as broad, broadly rounded; embolus broad, widely semicircular; terminal apophysis scooped (Fig. 47F).

Female (based on paratype, AM KS122431).

Total length 3.7.

Prosoma. Length 2.0, width 1.6; carapace and sternum colouration as male (Fig. 16C, D).

Eyes. Diameter of AME 0.08, ALE 0.07, PME 0.24, PLE 0.17.

Anterior eye row. Strongly procurved, evenly spaced.

Opisthosoma. Length 1.7, width 1.2; otherwise as male, (Fig. 16C, D).

Epigyne about as long as wide, strongly sclerotized at posterior rim, atrium formed by two distinct ovoid depressions (Fig. 16G); spermathecal heads globular about their diameter apart, spermathecal stalks attached medially and centrally bent (Fig16H).

No habitat data were found with the type specimens. The male and female types were collected in June suggesting Artoria comleroi sp. n. to be winter mature.

Known only from its type locality in the north-central Sydney Basin (SYB) IBRA region (Fig. 15).

Figure 16.

Artoria comleroi sp. n., male holotype (AM KS128078), female paratype (AM KS122431): A, male habitus, dorsal view; B, male habitus, ventral view; C, female habitus, dorsal view; D, female habitus, ventral view; E, male pedipalp, ventral view; F, male pedipalp, retrolateral view; G, epigyne, ventral view; H, epigyne, dorsal view. Scale bars: habitus 1.0 mm; pedipalp, epigyne 0.1 mm.

Holotype male, 14.5 km NW of Corowa, roadside (35°54’33”S,146°16’11”E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA), November 2000, D. Freudenberger, pitfall trap (AM KS128079). Paratypes: 2 males, data as holotype (AM KS109666); 1 female, northern side of Oxley Highway, just at the bridge over Marthaguy Creek, equivalent to NPWS site NWB0654 (31°40’44”S, 148°31’07”E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA), 21 November – 11 December 1999, E. camaldulensis patch, pitfall trap, L. Wilkie, R. Harris, T.M. Moulds (AM KS76583).

7 males and 22 females in 16 records (all NSW). AUSTRALIA: New South Wales: 1 female, 50 m E of Boonal Road, 4.4 km N from site DRRP026, travelling stock route adjacent to ‘Mooreland’ station, 28°50’26”S, 149°42’07”E (AM KS76578); 1 male, 14.5 km NW of Corowa, roadside, 35°54’33”S,146°16’11”E (AM KS109665); 1 female, 3.0 km along Carlton-Brewarrina Road from ‘Murrawombie’ turnoff, E side of road, 31°06’38”S, 147°11’29”E (AM KS76577); 2 males, 1 female, 3.0 km along Carlton-Brewarrina Road from ‘Murrawombie’ turnoff, E side of road, equivalent to NPWS site NWB0616, 31°06’38”S, 147°11’29”E (AM KS76703); 1 male, 12 km NNW of Mulwala, ‘Namron Park’ farm, 35°53’01”S,145°57’40”E (AM KS109667) ; 1 male, 26 km NNW of Mulwala, 35°46’22”S,146°05’52”E (AM KS84351); 1 male, 1 female, Booti Booti National Park, south of Forster - northern end of dirt track to Jane’s Corner, 32°14’28”S, 152°32’50”E (AM KS63920); 1 female, ‘Kilyana’ Station, 21.5 km SE of Berrigan, 35°48’00”S, 145°58’9”E (AM KS84992); 12 females, ‘Llanver’ Station, 1.4 km W on Papworth Lane from junction with Backwater Road, 32°17’00”S, 147°53’07”E (AM KS76576); 3 females, same locality (AM KS76579–81); 1 female, E side of Nyngan-Canonba Road, 2.9 km S of ‘Fairview’ Station junction, 31°26’46”S, 147°15’10”E (AM KS76582); 1 male, Tambua Station, Cobar, 31°26’S,145°15’E (AM KS86354).

The specific name is a noun in apposition referring to the type locality, NW of Corowa.

Males of A. corowa sp. n. share with A. booderee sp. n., A. munmorah sp. n. and A. equipalus sp. n. a distinctly bi-lobed tegular apophysis. They differ from these by the tegular apophysis not protruding past the cymbium edge in ventral view and the presence of a disto-ventral cluster of macrosetae. The epigyne of female A. corowa sp. n. is incised posteriorly and therefore most similar to that of A. booderee sp. n., but lacking the distinct semi-circular anterior edge of the epigyne of A. booderee sp. n.

Male (based on holotype, AM KS128079).

Total length 3.6.

Prosoma. Length 1.9, width 1.4; carapace dark grey; with no lighter marginal band and broad central band, constricted between eye region and fovea (Fig. 14 A); sternum shiny medium-brown, dusted with grey (Fig. 14B).

Eyes. Diameter of AME: 0.08; ALE: 0.09; PME: 0.24; PLE: 0.18.

Anterior eye row. Strongly procurved, evenly spaced.

Chelicerae. Medium brown darker apically.

Labium. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 14B).

Pedipalp coxae. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 14B).

Legs. Yellow-brown, with darker annulations; tibiae and metatarsi I darker, less annulated (Fig. 14A).

Opisthosoma. Length 1.7, width 1.2; dark grey with light yellow-brown anterior cardiac mark and lighter irregular markings (Fig. 14A). Venter grey with slightly lighter pattern (Fig. 14B); spinnerets dark grey.

Pedipalps. Tibia globular, as long as broad; Cymbium tip with cluster of macrosetae distal-ventrally (Fig. 14E, F); dorsal scopula patch present; tegular apophysis distally with two semicircular appendices, bent, basally narrowed to ½ width, retrolateral tip just reaching margin of cymbium (Fig. 14E, F); palea about 1 ½ times as long as wide, basoembolic apophysis large, triangular; embolus straight, reaching only half the width of palea; terminal apophysis indistinct (Fig. 47G).

Female (based on paratype AM KS76583).

Total length 4.9.

Prosoma. Length 2.6, width 1.8; carapace and sternum colouration as male (Fig. 14C, D).

Eyes. Diameter of AME 0.09, ALE 0.08, PME 0.28, PLE 0.23.

Anterior eye row. Strongly procurved, evenly spaced.

Opisthosoma. Length 2.6, width 2.1; opisthosoma similar colour as male but cardiac mark less distinct (Fig. 14C, D).

Epigyne: slightly wider than long, strongly sclerotized lateral posterior tips, atrium shaped like an inverted love-heart with posterior incision (Fig. 14G); spermathecal heads globular and around their diameter apart, spermathecal stalks attached laterally and strongly S-shaped (Fig. 14H).

There was little but varied habitat data available with the specimens, including ‘roadside’, ‘Eucalyptus largiflorens patch’, ‘Eucalyptus camaldulensis patch’, Casuarina cristata patch’ and ‘native grassland’, are insufficient to form a clear account of the habitat preferences of A. corowa sp. n. remain unclear. All specimens were collected between November and December, suggesting the species is largely summer mature. The single coastal record of the species, a mature male and female, is from May (autumn).

Artoria corowa sp. n. is known from locations in central NSW from the Cobar Peneplain (COB), Darling River Plains (DRP) and Riverina (RIV) IBRA regions, with one isolated coastal record from the NSW North Coast (NNC) IBRA region (Fig. 15).

Holotype male, Barrington Tops National Park, 100 m from Horse Swamp Track (31°56’00”S, 151°23’04”E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA), 11–21 January 2012, J.R. Gollan, M.A. Ashcroft, pitfall trap, upland swamp (AM KS128077). Paratype: 1 female, same data as holotype (AM KS122934).

Known only from type material.

The specific epithet is a compound noun in apposition derived from the Latin equus (= horse) and palus (= swamp) and refers to the type locality, near Horse Swamp Track.

Males of A. equipalus sp. n. share with A. booderee sp. n., A. corowa sp. n. and A. munmorah sp. n. a distinctly bi-lobed tegular apophysis, but differ from these by the basal lobe of the tegular apophysis being more sclerotized and oriented more ‘horizontally’ in ventral view. The cymbium tip in A. equipalus has 4–5 macrosetae, which are absent in A. corowa sp. n. and A. munmorah sp. n. Artoria booderee sp. n. has 2–3 macrosetae on the cymbium tip which is more elongate than that of A. equipalus sp. n. The epigyne of female A. equipalus sp. n. is most similar to that of A. mungo sp. n., but the shape of the spermathecal heads is very different in both species with in particular with respect to the insertion of the spermathecal stalks (postero-medial in A. equipalus sp. n., lateral in A. mungo sp. n.).

Male (based on holotype, AM KS1128077).

Total length 3.0.

Prosoma. Length 1.7, width 1.2; carapace dark grey; with distinct broad lighter marginal band and broad lighter central band, widening towards eye region (Fig. 17A); sternum light brown, margin slightly grey (Fig. 17B).

Eyes. Diameter of AME: 0.07; ALE: 0.08; PME: 0.23; PLE: 0.16.

Anterior eye row. Strongly procurved, evenly spaced.

Chelicerae. Dark brown.

Labium. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 17B)

Pedipalp coxae. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 17B).

Legs. Tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi of leg I very dark to almost black; other legs light brown, annulated (Fig. 17A).

Opisthosoma. Length 1.3, width 1.0; cinnamon-brown with light yellow-brown anterior cardiac mark and dark grey irregular pattern (Fig. 17A). Venter cinnamon with darker pattern laterally (Fig. 17B); spinnerets dark grey.

Pedipalps. Tibia as long as broad; cymbium tip with 4–5 macrosetae (Fig. 17E, F); dorsal scopula patch absent; tegular apophysis distally scooped, deeply indented, bent retrolaterally, basally narrowed to 1/3 width, tip reaching margin of cymbium (Fig. 17E); palea about as long as wide, basoembolic apophysis large, triangular; embolus broad, straight; terminal apophysis broad, retrolaterally bifurcate (Fig. 47H).

Female (based on AM KS122934).

Total length 5.3.

Prosoma. Length 2.5, width 1.8; carapace and sternum colouration as male (Fig. 17C, D).

Eyes. Diameter of AME 0.10, ALE 0.14, PME 0.26, PLE 0.17.

Anterior eye row. Straight, evenly spaced.

Opisthosoma. Length 2.8, width 2.1; otherwise as male, but legs I not darker, not annulated and opisthosoma pattern more obscure (Fig. 17C, D).

Epigyne slightly wider than long, poorly sclerotised at posterior tips, atrium lighter inverted u-shaped (Fig. 17G); spermathecal heads globular about diameter apart, spermathecal stalks short, attached posteriorly (Fig. 17H).

The habitat description with the type material is ‘upland swamp’. Spiders were found in January suggesting Artoria equipalus sp. n. to be summer mature.

Artoria equipalus sp. n. is known only from its type locality in Barrington Tops National Park in the NSW North Coast (NNC) IBRA region (Fig. 15).

Figure 17.

Artoria equipalus sp. n., male holotype (AM KS128077), female paratype (AM KS122934): A, male habitus, dorsal view; B, male habitus, ventral view; C, female habitus, dorsal view; D, female habitus, ventral view; E, male pedipalp, ventral view; F, male pedipalp, retrolateral view; G, epigyne, ventral view; H, epigyne, dorsal view. Scale bars: habitus 1.0 mm; pedipalp, epigyne 0.1 mm.

Holotype male, Macquarie Road, 70 m S from junction with Milo Road, Buckenbowra State Forest (35°38’S, 149°53’E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA], 16 Mar 1999, R. Harris, H.M. Smith, leaf litter sample (AM KS128074). Paratype: 1 female, same data as holotype (AM KS68638).

10 males in 9 records (all NSW). AUSTRALIA: New South Wales : 1 male, 30 km SE of Braidwood, 250 m along Corn Trail Road from junction with Highway 54, 35°33’43”S, 150°00’32”E (AM KS68635); 1 male, Deua National Park, Dampier Mt Fire Trail, 3.5 km E of junction with Minuma Range Fire Trail, 35°59’13”S, 149°42’40”E (AM KS68637); 1 male, Deua National Park, Minuma Range Fire Trail, approx.. 1.5 km ENE of apex of Dampier Mt, 35°59’10”S, 149°39’22”E (AM KS64397); 2 males, Enfield State Forest, Dodds Fire Trail, 1 km from Enfield Road, 31°23’47”S, 151°52’59”E (AM KS39804); 1 male, Enfield State Forest, Dodds Fire Trail, about 3 km from Enfield Road, 31°24’17”S, 151°53’00”E (AM KS39803); 1 male, Monga State Forest, Lookout Road, 35°34’47”S, 149°54’18”E (AM KS64399); 1 male, Monga State Forest, Northern Fire Trail, 1.85 km N from junction with McKeuns Road, 35°32’10”S, 149°53’17”E (AM KS68634); 1 male, Monga State Forest, W side of Turtle Creek Fire Trail, 1.7 km from junction with Boundary Fire Trail, 35°38’20”S, 149°55’52”E (AM KS64398); 1 male, Putty State Forest; approx. 80 m from Hunter Main Trail and just past ‘3 Ways’, 32°45’26”S, 150°33’45”E (AM KS128874);

The specific epithet is an adjective in apposition derived from Latin (extraordinaria – unusual) and refers to the unusual shape of the basoembolic apophysis of the male pedipalp.

The male pedipalp of A. extraordinaria sp. n. is highly unusual within the genus owing to the shape of the basoembolic apophysis, which forms an almost 360-degree circle (Fig. 47I). The female epigyne is poorly defined with two almost transparent lateral lobes (Fig. 18G).

Male (based on holotype, AM KS1128074).

Total length 3.6.

Prosoma. Length 2.1, width 1.4; carapace light reddish-brown with dark radial pattern and black V-shaped pattern between cephalic and thoracic region; indistinct and irregular broad lighter central and marginal band (Fig. 18A); sternum pale, with darker margin (Fig. 18B).

Eyes (Fig. 2E). Diameter of AME: 0.10; ALE: 0.09; PME: 0.30; PLE: 0.20.

Anterior eye row. Strongly procurved, distance between AME/ALE at least twice AME/AME.

Chelicerae. Dark brown.

Labium. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 18B)

Pedipalp coxae. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 18B).

Legs. Yellow brown with darker annulations; metatarsi and tarsi darker, less annulated (Fig. 18A).

Opisthosoma. Length 1.5, width 1.1; dark grey with pale anterior cardiac mark and light irregular pattern (Fig. 18A). Venter pale with darker pattern (Fig. 18B); spinnerets pale.

Pedipalps. Tibia as long as broad; cymbium tip with cluster of macrosetae (Fig. 18E, F); dorsal scopula patch present; tegular apophysis spatulate with two lateral appendices, basally narrowed to 2/3 width, retrolateral tip pointed inwards not reaching margin of cymbium (Fig. 18E); palea about 1 1/2 times as long as wide; basoembolic apophysis small, rounded; embolus elongated coiled with long thin tip, reaching beyond terminal apophysis; terminal apophysis small with pointed tip (Fig. 47I).

Female (based on AM KS68638).

Total length 3.8.

Prosoma. Length 2.0, width 1.4; carapace and sternum colouration as male (Fig. 18C).

Eyes. Diameter of AME 0.08, ALE 0.09, PME 0.30, PLE 0.21.

Anterior eye row. Strongly procurved, distance between AME/ALE at least twice AME/AME.

Opisthosoma. Length 1.8, width 1.2; otherwise as male, but opisthosoma pattern more obscure (Fig. 18C, D).

Epigyne. About as long as wide, poorly sclerotised at posterior tips, atrium lighter (Fig. 18G); spermathecal heads ellipsoid in inverted v-shaped position about 1/2 short diameter apart, spermathecal stalks attached ventrally, globular at base (Fig. 18H).

Based on locality data, Artoria extraordinaria sp. n. is a forest species. Detailed habitat data were not available on locality labels of the specimens. Most specimens were collected between February and April, with one male recorded from June, suggesting Artoria extraordinaria sp. n. to be autumn to winter mature.

This species was found some distance from the coast at scattered localities in the NSW North Coast (NNC), Sydney Basin (SYB) and South Easter Corner (SEC) IBRA bioregions (Fig. 15).

Figure 18.

Artoria extraordinaria sp. n., male holotype (AM KS128074), female paratype (AM KS68638): A, male habitus, dorsal view; B, male habitus, ventral view; C, female habitus, dorsal view; D, female habitus, ventral view; E, male pedipalp, ventral view; F, male pedipalp, retrolateral view; G, epigyne, ventral view; H, epigyne, dorsal view. Scale bars: habitus 1.0 mm; pedipalp, epigyne 0.1 mm.

Holotype female of Artoria flavimanus Simon, 1909, Mundaring Weir (‘Station 101’) (31°57’S 116°10’E, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA], collected during the ‘Hamburger südwest-australische Forschungsreise 1905’ (ZMB 10548). Holotype female of Lycosa neboissi McKay, 1976, Rosanna (37°45’S, 145°04’E, Victoria, AUSTRALIA], 18 July 1954, A. Neboiss (NMV K32). Paratype male of Lycosa neboissi McKay, 1976, Rosanna (37°45’S, 145°04’E, Victoria, AUSTRALIA), 5 June 1954, A. Neboiss (MV K33).

41 males, 9 females and 1 juvenile in 32 records (2 from the ACT, 30 from NSW). AUSTRALIA: Australian Capital Territory: 1 female, 1 juv., Piccadilly Circus, 35°22’S, 148°48’E (ANIC); 1 female, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, 35°28’S, 148°54’E (AM KS13963). New South Wales: 1 male, 4 km NE of Mt Wog Wog, 17 km SE Bombala, 37°04’30”S, 149°28’00”E (AM KS99424); 1 male, 1 female, Bondi State Forest, 37°08’S, 149°09’E (AM KS12197, KS15203); 4 male, 3 females, Bondi State Forest, S of Bombala, Woodlot 1, 37°08’S, 149°09’E (AM KS11926, KS11934, KS11941, KS11951, KS18062–3); 34 males, 3 females, Bondi State Forest, S of Bombala, Woodlot 2, 37°07’S, 149°08’E (AM KS69080, KS69085, KS69091, KS69105, KS69122, KS69137, KS69714–5, KS69719, KS69724–5, KS70163–4, KS70238, KS71380–1, KS71384, KS71389, KS71394, KS71396); 1 male, Wombeyan Caves area, hillside north of camping ground, 34°19’S, 149°59’E (AM KS22498).

Amongst currently described Artoria, A. flavimana is most similar to A. avona Framenau, 2002, a species not yet recorded from NSW or the ACT (Framenau 2002). The gaping shape of the tegular apophysis of the male pedipalp (Fig. 46D) is distinctive. Males can also be identified be the distinctive leg formula, with leg I longer than leg IV (I>IV>II>III). The shape of the epigyne of A. flavimana has a semi-circular to pentagonal atrium which includes an isolated ovoid median septum (Fig. 19G).

Figure 19.

A flavimana Simon, 1909, male and female (AM KS52091): A, male habitus, dorsal view; B, male habitus, ventral view; C, female habitus, dorsal view; D, female habitus, ventral view; E, male pedipalp, ventral view; F, male pedipalp, retrolateral view; G, epigyne, ventral view; H, epigyne, dorsal view. Scale bars: habitus 1.0 mm; pedipalp, epigyne 0.1 mm.

Artoria flavimana has been described in detail (Framenau 2002). A diagnosis and diagnostic images (Figs 1C, 19A–H, 46D) are provided here to facilitate identification.

Artoria flavimana occurs predominantly in eucalypt forests. In NSW and ACT, most males were recorded in May and August and females also into November. Reproductive activity appears to occur mostly in winter.

Artoria flavimana occurs in south-eastern NSW and the ACT in the South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH) and Australian Alps (AUA) IBRA regions (Fig. 15). The species is also known from Victoria, Tasmania, south-eastern South Australia and south-western Western Australia (Framenau 2002, 2005).

Holotype female, Lord Howe Island, (31°31’S, 159°04’E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA), A.M. Lea, December 1915–January 1916 (SAM NN038) (examined).

Figure 20.

Aroria gloriosa (Rainbow, 1920), male and female (AM KS84008): A, male habitus, dorsal view; B, male habitus, ventral view; C, female habitus, dorsal view; D, female habitus, ventral view; E, male pedipalp, ventral view; F, male pedipalp, retrolateral view; G, epigyne, ventral view; H, epigyne, dorsal view. Scale bars: habitus 1.0 mm; pedipalp, epigyne 0.1 mm.

153 males, 67 females (1 with eggsac, 3 with spiderlings) and 51 juveniles in 114 records (all NSW). AUSTRALIA: New South Wales: Lord Howe Island: 7 males. 4 female, 2 juv., no exact locality (AM KS55, KS10815, KS86485–6, QM); 1 male, Anderson Road, south end, 31°30’S, 159°04’E (QM S64113); 1 female, Behind Leanda-Lei, 31°30’S, 159°04’E (QM S64109); 1 female, 13 juv., Beside Little Island, 31°30’S, 159°04’E (QM S64118); 3 males, 1 female, 6 juv., Dawson Point Ridge, summit, 31°30’S, 159°04’E (QM S64115); 1 male, Lagoon Road, opposite hospital, 31°30’S, 159°04’E (QM S64119); 1 male, 1 female, Lagoon Road, opposite hospital, 31°30’S, 159°04’E (QM S64116); 1 male, 30 m below main cliff of Mt Lidgbird, 31°34’02”S, 159°04’05”E (AM KS79105); 3 males, 50 m S of summit of Mt Eliza, W face, 31°30’57”S, 159°02’25”E (AM KS75873, KS75885); 9 males, 3 females, base of Round Face, Mt Lidgbird, Far Flats, 31°34’9”S, 159°04’35”E (AM KS76126–8, KS76131, KS76134, KS76136, KS79097, KS79108); 3 males, 4 females, base of Scaly Bark Ridge, trail to Mt Gower, 31°34’37”S, 159°04’40”E (AM KS76192, KS76197, KS76200–1, KS79102); 1 female, behind Research Station, 31°31’37”S, 159°03’58”E (AM KS79096); 1 male, E end of Boat Harbour Beach, 31°33’37”S, 159°05’53”E (AM KS76114); 1 male, 1 female, E face of Mt Lidgbird, base of summit plateau, 31°34’27”S, 159°05’04”E (AM KS73167, KS75822); 2 females, E slope of Dawsons Point Ridge, near top, 31°30’58”S, 159°02’58”E (AM KS75906, KS75909); 2 females, E slope of Malabar Ridge above Neds Beach, 31°31’03”S, 159°03’38”E (AM KS75918, KS75922); 2 females, Lord Howe Island, E slope of Phillip Point (North Head), 31°31’20”S, 159°02’29”E (AM KS75937); 1 female, E slopes of Roach Island, 31°30’08”S, 159°04’9”E (AM KS75866); 1 male, footslopes of Mt Lidgbird, 200 m E of Goat House Trail, 31°33’41”S, 159°05’15”E (AM KS76084); 1 female, Goat House track, 400m from Goat House Cave, 31°33’15”S, 159°04’57”E (AM KS79103); 1 female, junction of Kims Lookout Trail and North Beach Trail, 31°31’08”S, 159°03’00”E (AM KS75913); 18 males, 1 female, Lagoon Beach between rubbish tip & airstrip, 31°32’31”S, 159°04’31”E (AM KS75989, KS75996, KS76001, KS76007, KS76010, KS79107); 1 female, 1 juv., Lagoon Road, N of Blinky Beach Road turnoff, 31°32’30”S, 159°04’30”E (AM KS56); 1 male, 2 females, Little Slope, 31°35’12”S, 159°04’03”E (AM KS75849, KS76229, KS76231); 1 male, 3 females, 3 juv., Malabar Ridge Saddle, 31°30’S, 159°04’E (QM S64108, S64110); 1 male, Mt Gower summit, 31°35’23”S, 159°04’22”E (AM KS76235); 1 male, 1 female, 9 juv., Mt Gower summit (NE), 31°30’S, 159°04’E (QM S64114, S64117); 1 female, Mt Gower, midway down last gully, 31°35’13”S, 159°04’18”E (AM KS85177); 1 male, Mt Gower, ridge, 31°35’18”S, 159°04’20”E (AM KS85173); 1 female, Mt Gower, top of Gully N of igloo, 31°35’07”S, 159°04’36”E (AM KS85182); 1 female, Mt Gower summit, near lookout, 31°35’06”S, 159°04’32”E (AM KS70559); 6 males, 3 females, Mt Gower, bottom of gully, near igloo, 31°35’04”S, 159°04’31”E (AM KS85174); 7 males, Mt Gower, bottom of ridge, N of igloo, 31°35’05”S, 159°04’34”E (AM KS85171); 4 males, 1 female, 2 juv., Mt Gower, bottom of ridge, S of igloo, 31°35’08”S, 159°04’30”E (AM KS85172); 1 female, Mt Gower, end of ridge, 31°35’11”S, 159°04’21”E (AM KS85176); 2 males, 2 juv., Mt Gower, level 3, 31°35’S, 159°05’E (AM KS1421); 1 male, , Mt Gower, midway down gully near igloo, 31°35’06”S, 159°04’32”E (AM KS86841); 1 male, 1 female, Mt Gower, midway down gully near igloo, 31°35’06”S, 159°04’32”E (AM KS85170); 2 males, 2 females, Mt Gower, midway down large gully with waterfall, 31°35’08”S, 159°04’27”E (AM KS85175); 4 males, Mt Gower, midway down ridge, N of igloo, 31°35’05”S, 159°04’35”E (AM KS85178); 10 males, 2 females, Mt Gower, midway down ridge, S of igloo, 31°35’9”S, 159°04’31”E (AM KS85181); 1 male, Mt Gower, Razorback, 31°35’30”S, 159°04’18”E (AM KS76249); 26 males, 2 female, Mt Gower, top of gully, N of igloo, 31°35’07”S, 159°04’36”E (AM KS84008, KS85179); 2 males, Mt Gower, top of ridge S of igloo, 31°35’11”S, 159°04’31”E (AM KS79104, KS85180); 1 male, Mt Gower summit, near igloo, 31°31’16”S, 159°05’01”E (AM KS79109); 1 male, Mt Lidgbird, S face, summit tabletop base, 31°34’37”S, 159°05’04”E (AM KS76166); 1 male, N bank of Rocky Run Creek, Boat Harbour trail, 31°33’19”S, 159°05’33”E (AM KS76059); 1 male, 3 females, 11 juv., NE area of Mt Gower summit, 31°35’12”S, 159°04’42”E (AM KS52–4); 1 female, Neds Beach Road, 31°31’S, 159°03’E (AM KS84014); 1 male, Peach Tree Ridge, below Intermediate Hill, 31°33’01”S, 159°05’05”E (AM KS76026); 2 males, 2 females, S end of Salmon Beach, 31°34’08”S, 159°04’28”E (AM KS75816, KS79098-9, KS79110); 7 males, 1 female, Stephens Reserve, New Settlement, 31°31’33”S, 159°03’53”E (AM KS76253–4, KS76263, KS76268, KS76270–1); 1 female, 2 juv., The Clear Place, 31°30’S, 159°04’E (QM S64112); 1 male, The Saddle, Erskine Valley, 31°34’49”S, 159°04’58”E (AM KS76190); 1 male, track to Erskine Valley, opposite Salmon Beach, 31°33’39”S, 159°04’31”E (AM KS79106); 1 male, 1 female, trail through Erskine Valley, 31°34’37”S, 159°04’33”E (AM KS76170, KS76175); 1 male, 1 female, trail to Mt Gower, 31°35’08”S, 159°04’45”E (AM KS76213); 2 males, 3 females, trail to Mt Gower, 31°35’06”S, 159°04’45”E (AM KS76208, KS76211, KS79101); 9 males, trail to Mt Gower, 31°35’12”S, 159°04’35”E (AM KS76218–9, KS76223, KS76227, KS79100); 1 female, Transit Hill, south slope, 31°30’S, 159°04’E (QM S64111); 1 male, 1 female, Valley of the Shadows bird colony, 31°31’50”S, 159°04’36”E (AM KS82432, KS82447); 1 male, 1 female, W slope of Malabar Ridge, S of Kims Lookout, 31°30’57”S, 159°03’31”E (AM KS75899, KS75902); 1 female, W slope of Transit Hill, 31°32’05”S, 159°02’24”E (AM KS75942); 1 male, western edge Golf Course, left side of clearing, 31°33’11”S, 159°05’01”E (AM KS126396).

Artoria gloriosa is similar to A. albopilata; however, the tegular apophysis of the male pedipalp of A. gloriosa lacks the apical lower tip present in A. albopilata. The tip of the embolus of A. gloriosa is blunt (Fig. 46E), whereas it is sharp and sickle-shaped in A. albopilata (Fig. 46F). The median septum of the female epigyne of A. gloriosa does not fill out the whole atrium as in A. albopilata (Fig. 3G) but is truncated anteriorly (Fig. 20G).

Artoria gloriosa has been described in detail (Framenau 2005). A diagnosis and diagnostic images (Figs 20A–H, 21, 46E) are provided here to facilitate identification.

Artoria gloriosa is a forest species dwelling in litter in a variety of forest types on Lord Howe Island. Mature males and females have largely been found between November and February, with two records of males from May and a female with spiderlings in July. Two females with spiderlings were found in December.

Artoria gloriosa is endemic to Lord Howe Island (PSI – Pacific Subtropical Island IBRA region) (Fig. 21) and currently the only Artoria species known from that island group.

Figure 21.

Distribution records of Artoria gloriosa (Rainbow, 1920) (full circle) in NSW. IBRA bioregions with spider records: PSI – Pacific Subtropical Islands.

Holotype male, Awabakal Nature Reserve, 120 m off Redhead Road and 1 km S of Dudley (32°59’44”S, 151°42’58”S, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA], 22 June–1 July 2012, J.R. Gollan, M.A. Ashcroft, pitfall trap, under tree canopy (AM KS127756). Paratypes: 1 male, same data as holotype (AM KS122652); 4 males, 1 female, Gordon, E traps (33°44’S, 151°09’E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA), 18 July 1982, C. Horseman, pitfall trap (AM KS9756); 21 males, 3 females, Gordon (33°44’S, 151°09’E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA), 29 July – 26 August 1982, C. Horseman, pitfall trap (AM KS9788); 1 male, 1 female, same data (ZSMH A0002167).

Figure 22.

Artoria grahammilledgei sp. n., male holotype (AM KS127756), female paratype (AM KS9756): A, male habitus, dorsal view; B, male habitus, ventral view; C, female habitus, dorsal view; D, female habitus, ventral view; E, male pedipalp, ventral view; F, male pedipalp, retrolateral view; G, epigyne, ventral view; H, epigyne, dorsal view. Scale bars: habitus 1.0 mm; palp, epigyne 0.1 mm.

378 males, 147 females (1 with eggsac, 7 with spiderlings) and 32 juveniles in 184 records (all NSW). AUSTRALIA : New South Wales: 1 male, 4 km SW of Mt Vincen, approx. 10 m from creek, 32°55’41”S, 151°26’30”E (AM KS122418); 2 males, Awabakal Nature Reserve, 120 m off Redhead Road and 1 km S of Dudley, 32°59’44”S, 151°42’58”E (AM KS122652); 8 females, Beecroft, 33°45’S, 151°04’E (AM KS53675–6, KS54490, KS63747, KS79731, KS79762, KS84293, KS86816); 7 males, 3 females, Benandarah State Forest, 8 km N of Batemans Bay, 35°40’S, 150°14’E (AM KS1937, KS2990, KS3129, KS3368, KS86532, KS86534); 1 male, Bondi State Forest, S of Bombala, 37°08’S, 149°9’E (AM KS18005); 1 female, Boorook State Forest, 1 km NW Boorook Creek junction on Conlongan Road, midway between Boorook Creek and Gilcurry Creek on Conlongan Road, 28°51’24”S, 152°11’27”E (AM KS36986); 2 males, Booti Booti National Park, 200 m from end of Cape Hawke Drive, 32°12’59”S, 152°33’41”E (AM KS122834); 2 males, Booti Booti National Park, 80 m off The Lakes Way and 4 km SE of Green Point, 32°17’04”S, 152°31’23”E (AM KS122625); 6 males, 1 female, Booti Booti National Park, 120 m off The Lakes Way and 300 m SW of Booti Booti, 32°18’40”S, 152°30’49”E (AM KS122627); 1 female, Buckenbowra State Forest, junction of No Name and Cabbage Tree Fire Trails, 35°37’41”S, 150°00’18”E (AM KS64208); 1 female, Bulls Ground State Forest, near Wauchope, 31°35’S, 152°41’E (AM KS43339); 2 females, Carrai State Forest, Fife’s Knob Road, 3 km from Fifes Fire Trail, 30°54’32”S, 152°22’12”E (AM KS39992); 1 female, Cherry Tree State Forest, via Mallanganee, 28°47’22”S, 152°44’23”E (QM S70056); 3 males, 1 female, Columbey National Park, 180 m off Clarence Town Road and 5 km SW of Clarence Town, 32°35’54”S, 151°43’58”E (AM KS122642); 2 females, Coolah Tops National Park, 30 m off Warung State Forest Road and 8 km SW of Cattle Creek, 31°49’12”S, 150°11’31”E (AM KS122386); 10 females, Coolangubra State Forest, Gawcool, 37°00’S, 149°22’E (AM KS73178, KS73180, KS73184, KS73189, KS73194, KS73196, KS84098); 1 male, Crommelin Research Station, Pearl Beach, 33°33’S, 151°18’E (AM KS50379); 2 males, Doyles River, 50 km NW of Taree, 31°30’43”S, 152°14’46”E (AM KS120441); 1 female, `Eaglereach` (private land), 60 m off Cooee Trail and 4 km NE of Lambs Valley, 32°32’46”S, 151°30’9”E (AM KS122877); 1 female, Enfield State Forest, Dodds Fire Trail, 31°23’57”S, 151°52’39”E (AM KS39724); 1 female, Enfield State Forest, Mummel Forest Road, 31°17’00”S, 151°51’17”E (AM S39722); 2 females, Gladstone State Forest, Reids Creek Road, 30°31’01”S, 152°48’29”E (AM KS61098); 160 males, 35 females, 2 juv., Gordon, 33°44’S, 151°09’E (AM KS9746, KS9756, KS9801, KS10117, KS10268, KS10451, KS10466, KS10568, KS10587, KS12374, KS12402, KS12415, KS12640, KS13289, KS13479, KS13565, KS14394, KS14405, KS14747); 1 female, Greenacre, 33°55’S, 151°03’E (AM KS50197); 1 female, Harrington, 3–5 km NE, 31°52’S, 152°42’E (AM KS23426); 1 male, Hazelbrook Winbourne Road, 33°43’20”S, 150°27’35”E (AM KS86533); 1 male, Hornsby, Clovelly Road, 33°42’49”S, 151°05’22”E (AM KS72926); 2 females, Hornsby, Waitara Creek, 33°42’52”S, 151°05’22”E (AM KS68249, KS79602); 2 female, 5 juv., Iluka, 29°24’S, 153°22’E (AM KS12668–9); 1 male, Jamberoo Mountain, 34°40’S, 150°43’E (AM KS54477); 4 females, Jamieson Park, Narrabeen, 33°43’S, 151°18’E (AM KS44504, KS44885, KS49616); 3 male, 2 juv., Jenolan Caves area Southern Limestone Area, 33°49’S, 150°02’E (AM KS22540, KS86530); 9 males, 2 females, Kiwarrak State Forest, nr Taree, 31°58’S, 152°26’E (AM KS3900, KS3958); 2 females, Kunderang Station Creek, SW branch, 30°48’32”S, 152°06’44”E (AM KS39711); 1 male, Mount Colah, Heaney Close, 33°39’45”S, 151°07’11”E (AM KS115752); 8 males, 2.5 km E of Laguna and 40 m from track, private land, 32°59’44”S, 151°9’14”E (AM KS122406); 32 males, 11 females, 4 km NE of Mt Wog Wog, 17 km SE Bombala, 37°04’30”S, 149°28’00”E (AM KS99449, KS99452, KS99481, KS99483, KS99485, KS99488, KS99491, KS99493, KS99495, KS99497, KS99499–515, KS99517–25, KS99527); 17 males, 1 female, 4 km NE of Mt Wog Wog , 17 km SE of Bombala, 37°04’S, 149°28’E (AM KS99475–6, KS99477–80, KS99482, KS99484, KS99486–7, KS99489–90, KS99492, KS99494, KS99496, KS99498, KS99526, KS99528); 1 male, Myall Lakes National Park, 50 m off The Lakes Way and 2 km E of Boolambayte, 32°24’24”S, 152°17’56”E (AM KS122634); 1 male, 1 female, 15 juv., Nadgee Nature Reserve, 37°22’S, 149°55’E (AM KS1294, KS1606); 1 female, North Bondi, 33°53’S, 151°17’E (AM KS50198); 2 females, Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, East Kunderang Track, 30°48’25”S, 152°07’09”E (AM KS124727, KS124747); 1 female, Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, 57 km SE of Armidale, East Kunderang Road, 30°49’18”S, 152°02’10”S (AM KS124303); 16 males, 4 females, Pacific Palms, 32°31’S, 152°31’E (AM KS52387–90); 1 female, Parriwi Park, Mosman, 33°50’S, 151°15’E (AM KS49487); 1 female, 1 juv., Paynes Crossing `Wirraminna` ,via Wollombi, beside Werong Creek, near homestead, 32°55’S, 151°00’E (AM KS23061); 3 males, Putty State Forest; approx. 30 m from road,, 32°42’49”S, 150°37’34”E (AM KS122394); 1 male, Putty State Forest; approx. 80 m from Hunter Main Trail and just past ‘3 Ways’, 32°45’26”S, 150°33’45”E (AM KS122393); 1 female, Ramornie State Forest, track off T Ridge Road, 29°43’00”S, 152°33’23”E (AM KS39723); 2 females, Sharpers Creek, Boundary Road, N of Sharpers Road, Nerong State Forest, 32°31’37”S, 152°07’00”E (AM KS39965); 1 female, Sirius & Horseshoe Roads junction, 0.7 km NW, 30°29’12”S, 152°35’30”E (AM KS70106); 1 female, Styx River State Forest, off Cunnawarra Trail, about 2 km N Cunnawarra Creek, 30°32’49”S, 152°20’16”E (AM KS35650); 1 female, Taylor Road, between Tapley and Oliver Roads, E of Narara, 33°24’07”S, 151°23’08”E (AM KS63290); 6 males, 13 females, 1 juv., Terania Creek, N of Lismore, 28°34’S, 153°19’E (AM KS10350, KS10352, KS10354–6, KS10357, KS10359–62, KS10364–5); 3 females, 4 juv., Wahroonga, Fox Valley, 33°44’S, 151°06’E (AM KS5616); 1 male, 1 female, Wahroonga, Sydney, 33°42’S, 151°08’E (QM S70048); 5 males, Werakata National Park, 10 m from creek and 1 km SE of Kearsley, 32°51’51”S, 151°24’03”E (AM KS122422); 4 males, Werakata National Park, approx. 250 m from Neath Road, 32°49’55”S, 151°25’06”E (AM KS122420); 1 female, Werrikimbe National Park: Kangaroo Flat, 31°10’23”S, 152°9’45”E (AM KS120953); 2 males, Wollemi National Park, 2 km E of Glen Davis, 33°07’14”S, 150°18’9”E (AM KS122465); 1 male, 1 female, Wollemi National Park, approx. 150 m from Putty Road., 33°14’18”S, 150°38’46”E (AM KS122389); 16 males, 2 females, Wombeyan Caves area, 34°18’S, 149°58’E (AM KS27994, KS27999; WAM T56225); 9 males, Wombeyan Caves area, hillside N of camping ground, 34°19’S, 149°59’E (AM KS86529, KS86531); 11 males, 1 juv., Wombeyan Caves area, N of campsite, 34°19’S, 149°59’E (AM KS29657, KS86410); 2 males, Wyrrabalong National Park, 30 m off Pelican Beach Road and 30 m E of Magenta, 33°17’32”S, 151°32’56”E (AM KS122656); 1 male,1 female, Yabbra Scrub, Yabbra State Forest, 28°38’S, 152°30’E (AM KS44823, KS128790); 2 males, Yengo National Park, approx. 80 m from Putty Road, 33°02’36”S, 150°40’58”E (AM KS122391).

Species name is a patronym in honour of Mr Graham Milledge, the Collection Manager of the Australian Museum, Sydney, for his support of this and many other of the present authors’ studies on Australian spiders.

Males of Artoria grahammilledgei sp. n. are most similar to those of A. terania sp. n., but the tegular apophysis of Artoria grahammilledgei sp. n. is lobed apically (Fig. 22I) (while not as elongated as in A. slatyeri sp. n. (Fig. 36C)), whereas it is truncated in A. terania sp. n. (Fig. 39E). The epigyne’s atrium is almost rectangular about as wide as long with two concave lateral edges and huge spermathecae (Fig. 22G, H).

Male (based on holotype, AM KS127756).

Total length 5.8.

Prosoma. Length 3.3, width 2.5; carapace light yellow-brown with dark radial pattern and black V-shaped pattern between cephalic and thoracic region; indistinct and irregular broad lighter central band (Fig. 22A); sternum pale, margin dusted dark grey (Fig. 22B).

Eyes. Diameter of AME: 0.14; ALE: 0.13; PME: 0.41; PLE: 0.32.

Anterior eye row. Slightly procurved, evenly spaced.

Chelicerae. Dark brown.

Labium. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 22B).

Pedipalp coxae. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 22B).

Legs. Light yellow brown with slightly darker annulations. (Fig. 22A).

Opisthosoma. Length 2.5, width 1.8; dark grey with light anterior cardiac mark and light grey irregular pattern mainly in anterior half (Fig. 22A). Venter dark grey with lighter pattern laterally (Fig. 22B); spinnerets dark grey.

Pedipalps. Tibia longer than broad; cymbium tip without macrosetae (Fig. 22E, F); dorsal scopula patch present; tegular apophysis distally widely scooped, basally narrowed to 1/2, pro- and retrolateral tip pointed not reaching margin of cymbium (Fig. 22E); palea about twice as long as wide; basoembolic apophysis triangular, about as long as broad; embolus, widely semicircular; terminal apophysis broad, deeply indented tips rounded (Fig. 47J).

Female (based on AM KS9756).

Total length 6.9.

Prosoma. Length 2.8, width 2.0; carapace and sternum colouration as male (Fig. 22C, D).

Eyes. Diameter of AME 0.12, ALE 0.14, PME 0.37, PLE 0.29.

Anterior eye row. Slightly procurved.

Chelicerae, labium, pedipalp coxae, legs and opisthosoma. Opisthosoma length 4.1, width 2.7; otherwise as male, but opisthosoma pattern more obscure (Fig. 22C, D).

Epigyne about as long as wide, with rectangular atrium (Fig. 22G); spermathecal heads huge, globular touching anteriorly, spermathecal stalks attached ventrally (Fig. 22H).

Habitat descriptions on collection labels with Artoria grahammilledgei sp. n. suggest the species to be a woodland and forest dweller in litter, i.e. ‘dry sclerophyll forest’, ‘Angophora costata woodland ridge top’, ‘Eucalyptus botryoides–Allocasuarina torulosa open forest’ and ‘litter & soil beneath Casuarina’.

Mature male Artoria grahammilledgei sp. n. have been found almost throughout the year, except November, February and March with two distinct activity periods in April and July. Mature females have been found in all months with a first peak from April to August, and a second in November. A female with eggsac was found in October/November and females with spiderlings in January, April, November and December. Therefore, the species appears largely autumn to winter mature, but with wide seasonal variation in relation to its reproductive behaviour.

In NSW, Artoria grahammilledgei sp. n. appears common east of the Great Dividing Range but has also been found along its west (Fig. 23). The species is also known from Queensland (V.W. Framenau, unpublished data).

Holotype, Booti Booti National Park, S of Forster, southern end of park (32°16’47”S, 152°31’28”E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA), 30 September–9 October 1997, L. Wilkie, pitfall trap (AM KS128076). Paratypes: 4 males, same data as holotype (AM KS61893); 1 female, Munmorah State Recreation Area, 33°12’26”S, 151°34’37”E (AM KS61928); 7 females, Booti Booti National Park (32°14’28”S, 152°32’50”E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA), 25 November 1997, pitfall trap, L. Wilkie, BBC02/03 (AM KS61914); 1 female, same data (ZMH A0002168); 33 males, Bungonia Caves area, near Information Centre (34°48’02”S, 150°00’57”E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA), mid-October–mid-November 1989, G. Hunt, pitfall trap (AM KS22556); 1 male, same data (ZSMH A0002169).

Figure 23.

Distribution records of Artoria grahammilledgei sp. n. (open circles), A. helensmithae sp. n. (full circles) and A. howquaensis Framenau, 2002 (grey squares) in NSW. IBRA bioregions with spider records: BBS – Brigalow Belt South; NAN – Nandewar; NET – New England Tablelands; NNC – NSW North Coast; SEQ – South East Queensland; SEH – South Eastern Highlands; SEC – South East Corner; SYB – Sydney Basin.

175 males, 100 females (2 with spiderlings) and 1 juvenile 134 records. AUSTRALIA: New South Wales: 2 males, 4 km NE of Mt Wog Wog, 17 km SE Bombala, 37°04’30”S, 149°28’00”E (AM KS98791, KS98810); 1 male, Barrington Cave Pigna Barney PB1-20, 31°46’24”S, 151°31’17”E (AM KS52386); 3 males, 1 female, Bondi State Forest, S of Bombala, 37°07’S, 149°08’E (AM KS18203–5, KS70234); 47 males, 21 females, Booti Booti National Park, 32°14’28”S, 152°32’50”E (AM KS50502–13, KS52069–70, KS61861, KS61868, KS61872, KS61875, KS61879, KS61881, KS61889, KS61892–4, KS61897–8, KS61909, KS61911–2, KS61919, KS61923, KS61927, KS61935–6, KS61978, KS64040–48); 2 males, Cherry Tree north State Forest, 28°58’S, 152°15’E (AM KS52392); 1 female, Dover Heights, Rodney Reserve, 33°52’26”S, 151°16’59”E (AM KS110534); 2 males, 6 females, 1 juv., Harrington, 3–5 km NE, 31°52’S, 152°42’E (AM KS23427); 1 male, 1 female, Munmorah State Conservation Area, 30 m off Birdie Beach Drive and 200m north of Freemans, 33°12’17”S, 151°36’9”E (AM KS122654, KS122908); 10 males, Munmorah State Recreation Area, 33°12’24”S, 151°34’59”E (AM KS61862, KS61864); 2 males, Munmorah State Recreation Area, 33°12’26”S, 151°34’37”E (AM KS61852–3); 1 female, Munmorah State Recreation Area, 33°12’27”S, 151°34’37”E (AM KS61907); 15 males, 9 females, Munmorah State Recreation Area, 33°12’34”S, 151°34’59”E (AM KS61848, KS61856, KS61876, KS61883–4, KS61896, KS61908, KS61930–31, KS61933–4, KS86380); 18 males, 1 female, Munmorah State Recreation Area, 33°13’09”S, 151°34’15”E (AM KS61859, KS61871, KS61885, KS61891, KS61903, KS64049); 1 male, 1 female, Myall Lakes National Park, 32°29’22”S, 152°23’53”E (AM KS61887, KS64051); 2 males, Myall Lakes National Park, 32°30’26”S, 152°21’55”E (AM KS61899); 2 males, 1 female, Myall Lakes National Park, 32°34’45”S, 152°17’27”E (AM KS61900, KS64052); 5 male, 2 females, Myall Lakes National Park, 32°34’45”S, 152°12’27”E (AM KS61849, KS61865, KS61873, KS61888, KS61890, KS61916); 9 male, 8 females, Myall Lakes National Park, 32°37’56”S, 152°12’27”E (AM KS61850–51, KS61855, KS61869, KS61878, KS61886, KS61906, KS61915, KS61921–2, KS61926); 4 males, 5 females, Nullica Beach, 37°06’S, 149°53’E (AM KS83713, KS83718, KS83723); 2 females, Nullica River Bridge, S of river between bridge and coast, 37°04’S, 149°48’E (WAM T56211); 1 male, Seven Mile Beach National Park, picnic area., 34°47’30”S, 150°46’44”E (AM KS119173); 2 females, Tamarama, Marks Park, 33°53’56”S, 151°16’30”E (AM KS110537); 1 female, Wallaroo State Forest, Flaggy Creek, 32°36’03”S, 151°48’07”E (AM KS39707); 9 males, 20 females, Wyrrabalong National Park, 33°16’44”S, 151°32’51”E (AM KS61854, KS61874, KS61895, KS61904, KS61917, KS61920, KS61924–5, KS64053–5); 3 male, 3 females, Wyrrabalong National Park, 33°16’47”S, 151°32’40”E (AM KS61866, KS61870, KS61880, KS61905, KS61913, KS61929); 3 males, 2 females, Wyrrabalong National Park, 33°16’48”S, 151°32’45”E (AM KS61867, KS61877, KS64057, KS64059–60); 1 male, Wyrrabalong National Park, 33°16’51”S, 151°32’37”E (AM KS64058).

The specific epithet is a matronym honouring Dr Helen Smith of the Australian Museum, Sydney, for her ongoing support of our spider research.

Artoria helensmithae sp. n. males and females are very similar to those of A. beaury sp. n. (see diagnosis above).

Male (based on holotype, AM KS128076).

Total length 3.9.

Prosoma. Length 2.2, width 1.5; carapace light yellow-brown with dark radial pattern and black V-shaped pattern between cephalic and thoracic region; indistinct and irregular lighter central and marginal band (Fig. 24A); sternum light, margin dusted dark grey (Fig. 24B).

Eyes. Diameter of AME: 0.10; ALE: 0.07; PME: 0.28; PLE: 0.20.

Anterior eye row. Slightly procurved, evenly spaced.

Chelicerae. Dark brown darker apically.

Labium. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 24B)

Pedipalp coxae. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 24B).

Legs. Femora, tibiae and metatarsi of leg I very dark to almost black; other legs brown, with darker annulations; tarsi and metatarsi lighter brown (Fig. 24A).

Opisthosoma. Length 1.7, width 1.3; dark grey with light yellow-brown anterior cardiac mark and light irregular pattern (Fig. 24A). Venter pale with darker pattern anteriorly (Fig. 24B); spinnerets dark grey.

Pedipalps. Tibia as long as broad; cymbium tip with 8–10 macrosetae (Fig. 24E, F); dorsal scopula patch absent; tegular apophysis distally widely scooped, basally narrowed to 1/2, retrolateral tip strongly hooked and reaching beyond margin of cymbium (Fig. 24E, F); palea about 1 1/2 times as long as wide, basoembolic apophysis large, triangular; embolus broad, widely semicircular; terminal apophysis triangular, tip scooped (Fig. 47K).

Female (based on AM KS61928).

Total length 3.8.

Prosoma. Length 2.2, width 1.6; carapace and sternum colouration as male (Fig. 24C, D).

Eyes. Diameter of AME 0.08, ALE 0.08, PME 0.26, PLE 0.19.

Anterior eye row. Slightly procurved, evenly spaced.

Opisthosoma. Length 1.6, width 1.5; otherwise as male, but legs I not darker and opisthosoma pattern more obscure (Fig. 24C, D).

Epigyne about slightly longer than wide, strongly sclerotized at posterior tips (Fig. 24G); spermathecal heads globular around 1 diameter apart, spermathecal stalks attached laterally slightly s-shaped (Fig. 24H).

Figure 24.

A helensmithae sp. n., male holotype (AM KS128076), female paratype (AM KS61928): A, male habitus, dorsal view; B, male habitus, ventral view; C, female habitus, dorsal view; D, female habitus, ventral view; E, male pedipalp, ventral view; F, male pedipalp, retrolateral view; G, epigyne, ventral view; H, epigyne, dorsal view. Scale bars: habitus 1.0 mm; pedipalp, epigyne 0.1 mm.

Habitat descriptions found on the collection labels of A. helensmithae sp. n. include ‘under tall shrubs’, ‘sand dunes’, open forest, litter’, ‘rainforest’ and ‘dry forest’. A single record is from the dark zone of a cave. Therefore, A. helensmithae sp. n. seems to show some variation in its habitat preferences. Most records also state ‘litter’.

Artoria helensmithae sp. n. appears to have three peaks of reproductive activity, the first around April/May, then in July and again from October to December. Females with spiderlings were found in December. This is an unusual phenology for wolf spiders, i.e. this species appears to be reproductively active in autumn, winter and summer.

In NSW, A. helensmithae sp. n. has generally been found east of the Great Dividing Range, with records from the NSW North Coast (NNC), Sydney Basin (SYB), South East Corner (SEC) and South East Highlands (SHE) IBRA regions (Fig. 23). The species has also been found in eastern and central Victoria (V.W. Framenau, unpublished data).

Holotype male, Howqua River at Mansfield–Woods Point Road Bridge (37°13’S 146°10’E, Victoria), 11 February 1998, riparian gravel bank, V. W. Framenau (NMV K7467). Paratypes: 8 males, 5 females, data as holotype (NMV K7468) (examined).

7 males and 1 female in 3 records (all NSW). AUSTRALIA: New South Wales: 3 males, 1 female, Private land ‘Camp Cobark’, 80 m off Scone Road and 3 km SE of Cobark, 31°56’05”S, 151°42’27”E (AM KS122802); 1 male, Severn State Forest, 25 km NNW of Ashford, 8 km along Appletree Road, 29°10’12”S, 151°04’23”E (AM KS82788); 3 males, Yengo National Park, approx. 40 m from track, 32°56’46”S, 150°54’33”E (AM KS122271).

Amongst Australian Artoria, A. howquaensis is most similar to A. parvula, a tropical species not yet found in NSW or the ACT. This species most easily diagnosed by its body colouration, being very dark brown to black with distinct white lateral bands on the carapace (Fig. 25A, B), this colour pattern being more distinct in live specimens. The tegular apophysis is similar to those of the booderee-group (i.e. two-lobed), but in contrast to those species, the basal lobe is pointy (not rounded) and directed ventrally (Fig. 25E). The epigyne is poorly sclerotised with the Y-shaped internal genitalia visible through the cuticle (Fig. 25G, H).

Artoria howquaensis has been described in detail (Framenau 2002; Framenau et al. 2006). A diagnosis and diagnostic images (Figs 25A–H, 46J) are provided here to facilitate identification, in particular from similar newly-described species.

Figure 25.

Artoria howquaensis Framenau, 2002, male (AM KS82788), female (WAM T55414): A, male habitus, dorsal view; B, male habitus, ventral view; C, female habitus, dorsal view; D, female habitus, ventral view; E, male pedipalp, ventral view; F, male pedipalp, retrolateral view; G, epigyne, ventral view; H, epigyne, dorsal view. Scale bars: habitus 1.0 mm; pedipalp, epigyne 0.1 mm.

Artoria howquaensis is a riparian species which has previously been found in open habitats along the margins of rivers and springs. The records in NSW are consistent with this habitat preference as the species was found in open, grassy and swampy areas.

Mature males and females were found in December, with further records of males in March.

In NSW, A. howquaensis has been found in scattered records in the northern half of the state east and west of the Great Dividing Range in the Nandewar (NAN), NSW North Coast (NNC) and Sydney Basin (SYB) bioregion (Fig. 23). The species is likely more widespread in the state, but riparian habitats are rarely sampled. The species is known to occur throughout Victoria and South Australia (Framenau 2002; 2005; Framenau et al. 2006).

Holotype male, Kanangra-Boyd National Park, Boyd River (34°03’S, 150°05’E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA), 26 November 1994, D. Bickel, pans, 1200 m, creek sphagnum (AM KS45008).

AUSTRALIA: New South Wales: 1 male, Barren Grounds Nature Reserve, 14 km NW Jamberoo, Illawarra Escarpment, 34°40’28”S, 150°42’45”E (AM KS63088).

The specific epithet is a noun in apposition referring to the type locality, Kanangra-Boyd National Park.

Males of A. kanangra sp. n. are most similar to those of the booderee-group (A. booderee sp. n., A. corowa sp. n., A. munmorah sp. n. and A. equipalus sp. n.), but differ in the shape of the tegular apophysis, which is birdhead-shaped in A. kanangra sp. n. (Fig. 26C).

Male (based on holotype, AM KS45008).

Total length 4.5.

Prosoma. Length 2.4, width 1.7; carapace yellow-brown dusted with grey and indistinct dark radial pattern; lateral margin and central band pale yellow, broader in cephalic area, constricted halfway between cephalic area and fovea (Fig. 26A); sternum yellow-brown, dusted dark grey (Fig. 26B).

Eyes (Fig. 2C). Diameter of AME: 0.09; ALE: 0.11; PME: 0.29; PLE: 0.23.

Anterior eye row. Slightly procurved, evenly spaced.

Chelicerae. Dark brown.

Labium. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 26B)

Pedipalp coxae. Dark brown, with lighter anterior rim (Fig. 26B).