Australian Journal of
Taxonomy
Open-access, online, rapid taxonomy
This is a page from an unpublished manuscript
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This species belongs to the Maratus vespa group (Otto & Hill, 2021), with respect to the presence of many long bristle-like setae on legs III of the male, and the courtship display of the male which rapidly turns from side to side with a raised opisthosoma and extended large, lobate lateral opisthosomal flaps, displaying to females at close proximity. Males of M. coronatus most closely resemble those of Maratus vespa, however, can be readily separated from this species and all other related species by the presence of a distinctive, transverse sinuous tract of vivid blue scales at the posterior edge of the dorsal opisthosoma. Females of M. coronatus are similar to other females in the M. vespa clade and identification may not possible without association with a male or the aid of molecular data. The structures of the external male and female genitalia of M. coronatus are of little use in distinguishing them from other Southwestern Australia endemic Maratus species.
Holotype male.
Cephalothorax. Ocular quadrangle region of carapace covered with dense mat of grey setae suffused with red-orange setae. Posterior and lateral slopes of carapace black and mostly glabrous. Thin marginal band comprised of white setae present at rim of carapace. Medial thoracic tract comprised of white setae extends from posterior slope of carapace towards the fovea. PME closer to PLE than to ALE. Anterior ocular region surrounded by red-orange setae, with grey setae between the AME. Clypeus with dense cover of grey setae (but see variation section). 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 ornamented with complex markings by which a subtriangular patch of brown scales is situated centrally encompassing ~2/3 of the dorsal opisthosomal surface; a series of longitudinal tracts of alternating red and pale blue scales situated anteriorly; distinctive, transverse sinuous tract of vivid blue scales bordered by red-orange scales situated near posterior edge of dorsal opisthosoma with a smaller but similarly shaped tract at the posterior margin. Lobate lateral opisthosomal flaps present and covered with brown scales and marked with a transverse tract of red-orange scales. Stout, white setae project anteriorly at the anterior margin of the opisthosoma. Anal tuft of white setae present above black spinnerets.
Legs. Legs I and II subequal in length, legs III and IV longer, legs III by far longest. Legs I, II and IV indistinctly ringed with alternating light and dark rings of brown and white setae (but see variation section). Legs III with dense covering of white setae. Legs III heavily fringed with long white setae, dorsally on the femora and ventrally from the patellae to the metatarsi.
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. Embolic disc with anticlockwise coiled embolus (left pedipalp). Distal embolus with two apices when viewed laterally, the broad outer (ventral) apex of the embolus bears a small projection on its ventral margin; heavily sclerotized cuticle on tegulum prolaterally below embolic disc.
Paratype female (REG NUMBER).
Cephalothorax. Ocular quadrangle region with dense cover of brown-orange and off-white setae. Rear slope of carapace posterior to ocular quadrangle dark brown, almost black, and interrupted by median thoracic tract comprised of white setae. Lateral tracts of white setae extend from behind each AME to rear margin of carapace. Cuticular surface below white tracts of setae lighter. Lateral slopes of carapace light brown and mostly glabrous. Carapace rim lacking marginal band of setae. PME closer to PLE than to ALE. Anterior eyes ringed with brown-orange and white setae or scales. Long white setae project downwards from below AME forming triangular shape. Clypeus covered with short, white 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. Opisthosoma marked with dark brown dorsum, lighter anteriorly, darker and tapering posteriorly. Lateral opisthosoma flanked by broad, light brown to off-white tracts of setae extending to posterior margin of dorsal opisthosoma. Colular tuft of white setae situated above spinnerets. Lateral and ventral opisthosoma light brown with irregular dark spots.
Legs. Legs I and II subequal in length, legs III and IV longer, legs III longest. Each leg with incomplete cover of off white and brown setae, integument below light brown and translucent. Darker ring of setae at each leg joint. Pedipalps light brown and translucent with incomplete cover of white setae.
Epigynum. Epigynum with pair of large ovate fossae separated by septum. Ovate posterior spermatheca behind each fossa. Sclerotized ducts present anterior to each spermatheca.
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Variation. Between male specimens, width and colour of the blue tracts of scales on the dorsal opisthosoma vary slightly.
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.