Australian Journal of
Taxonomy
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Maratus furnus sp. nov.
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Figure x:

Figure x:

Figure x:

This species belongs to the Maratus fimbriatus group (Otto & Hill 2019), with respect to the embolic disc of the male pedipalp by which the inner and outer rings of the embolus are fused, forming a wheel-rim like shape. Maratus furnus is clearly separated from all other species in the genus by the distinct colouration of the dorsal opisthosomata of males by which a series of red-brown transverse bands mark an iridescent silver-pink abdomen. The female of M. furnus strongly resembles the female M. volpei from Lake Hart, South Australia, another salt lake-dwelling species. The detailed structures of the pedipalp and epigyne resemble those of other members in the M. fimbriatus group, and do not support identification to species-level. Like most female Maratus species, identification may not be possible without association with a male or the aid of molecular data.

Holotype male (REG NUMBER).

Cephalothorax. Ocular quadrangle region of carapace covered with dense mat of red-brown setae suffused with white setae anteriorly. Posterior and lateral slopes of carapace black and mostly glabrous. PME closer to PLE than to ALE. Anterior ocular region and clypeus with dense cover of red-orange setae. Long, white setae project from below the AME forming a triangular shape. Chelicerae black and glabrous. Coxae, labium, and endites pale and glabrous. Sternum dark brown with light covering of fine, white setae.

Opisthosoma. Dorsal opisthosoma distinctly marked with patches of red-brown pigmented scales forming a series of several transverse bands on a background of iridescent scales that reflect silver to pink depending upon the angle at which they are viewed from. Prominent fringe of long, white setae extends from lateral and posterior edges of opisthosoma. Stout, white setae project anteriorly at the anterior margin of the opisthosoma. Opisthosomal flaps not present.

Legs. Legs I and II subequal in length, legs III and IV longer, legs III longest. Cuticular surface of tarsi and metatarsi of each leg orange-brown; patellar, femoral, and coxal surfaces fading from dark brown to black. Each leg lightly covered with red-brown and white setae, legs III and IV more distinctively so.

Pedipalps. Pedipalp covered dorsally with long white setae. Relatively large male palpal bulb with retrolateral sperm duct loop, large, angular retrobasal tegular lobe, finger-like RTA. Inner and outer rings of embolus fused and wheel-rim shaped.

Paratype female (REG NUMBER).

Cephalothorax. Ocular quadrangle region of carapace densely covered with beige setae. Posterior slope of carapace covered with red-orange setae and interrupted by an indistinct median thoracic tract comprised of light beige setae. Integument below dark brown to black. Lateral slopes of carapace covered with red-orange setae surrounding the PME and outer margins of the PLE and ALE. PME closer to PLE than to ALE. AME ringed with bright, white scales or setae. Stout, black setae project forwards on carapace. Many long white setae project downwards from below AME over clypeus forming triangular shape. Clypeus covered with short, white and red-brown setae. Chelicerae dark brown and glabrous. Coxae, endites, and labium dark brown, translucent and mostly glabrous. Sternum dark brown with light covering of fine, white setae.

Opisthosoma. Dorsal and lateral opisthosoma with thick covering of beige setae lacking any distinct markings. Stout, white setae project anteriorly at the anterior margin of the opisthosoma. Ventral opisthosoma light brown. Small colular tuft of off-white setae present anterior to light brown spinnerets.

Legs. Each leg with thick cover of long off-white setae, integument below light brown to yellow. Anterior femoral surfaces of each leg darker. Pedipalps light brown to yellow with thick cover of long, off-white setae (Fig. 48A‒D).

Epigynum. Epigynum with pair of large ovate fossae separated by septum; relatively small, ovate posterior spermatheca behind each fossa. Sclerotized ducts present anterior to each spermatheca.

1 male, Lake Lefroy, 31°18'09.56"S, 121°45'52.59"S, 9–11 Oct. 2012, Gorden, R., foraging, riparian zone of salt lake, (PES 11186); 1 male, Lake Lefroy, 31°19'17.64"S, 121°41'46.96"E, 18–26 Oct. 2011, Gorden, R., foraging, riparian zone (PES9972); 1 female, Lake Lefroy, 31°21'59.56"S, 121°44'15.73"E, 22 Oct. 2016, Framenau, V.W., Sachse, T., foraging, salt lake playa (PES 29395); 1 male, same data (ANIC, PES29398); 1 male, Lake Lefroy, 31°23'24.13"S, 121°45'27.62"S, 18–26 Oct. 2011, Gorden, R., propylene glycol pitfall trap, riparian zone (PES 9816); 1 female, same data (PES10241); 1 female, except 20–22 Nov. 2012, Gorden, R. (ANIC, PES11268); 1 male, Lake Lefroy, 31°26'18.20"S, 121°40'25.47"E, 18–26 Oct. 2011, Gorden, R., propylene glycol pitfall trap, riparian zone (PES 9805); 1 female, Lake Lefroy, 31°29'39.26"S, 121°40'53.70"E, 21 Oct 2016, Framenau, V.W., Sachse, T., foraging, salt lake playa (PES 29397); 1 female, same data (ANIC, PES29399); 1 male, same data (PES 29403); 1 male, same data (PES, 29396); 1 male, same data (ANIC, PES29402); 1 female, Lake Lefroy, 31°29'52.96"S, 121°42'50.91"E, 18–26 Oct. 2011, Gorden, R., propylene glycol pitfall trap, riparian zone (PES, 9815); 1 female, same data (PES 9931); 1 female, same data (PES 9827).

Figure x:

Figure x:

Figure x:

Courtship display. The male elevates legs III in a partially outwardly flexed position, holding them upwards and holding them in place for the duration of the courtship display. The opisthosoma is elevated and waved, and the lateral opisthosoma flaps are extended and legs III straightened. As the female approaches, each of the lateral opisthosomal flaps are repeatedly retracted and extended while the opisthosoma twists from side to side (Note: only partial courtship display observed in an artificial setting, the males may exhibit a more complete courtship display with multiple modes of courtship).

Habitat and distribution. Maratus coronatus was found in Capel Western Australia at the locality shown in Figure x. Individuals were collected from low lying shrubs and strewn twigs in an x woodland.