Synsphyronus alisonae Harvey, sp. nov.

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http://zoobank.org/NomenclaturalActs/DBF999AC-03E5-4C9A-93AF-4AE1756E8CA9

Material examined

Holotype

AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: ♂, Victoria Rock Nature Reserve, 31°17′25″S, 120°55′50″E, 31 October 2010, under rocks, M.S. Harvey (WAM T145267).

Paratypes

AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: 2 ♂, 3 ♀, 4 tritonymphs, 1 deutonymph, 2 protonymphs, collected with holotype (WAM T145264–T145266, T145268–T145276).

Other material

AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: 1 ♂, 3 ♀, 2 tritonymphs, 2 deutonymphs, 1 protonymph, Victoria Rock, 31°17′21.1″S, 120°55′56.4″E, 17 November 2011, under rocks, J.M. Waldock, C.A. Car (WAM T118874, T156913, T156916); 6 ♂, 6 ♀, 3 tritonymphs, 1 deutonymph, 13.7 km W. of Boorabbin, 31°11′30″S, 120°26′39″E, 12 November 2002, under granite rocks, M.S. Harvey, M.E. Blosfelds, E.E.B. Harvey, F.S.B. Harvey (WAM T64884, T157537–15748); 2 ♀, 1 tritonymph, Boondi Rock, Goldfields Woodlands National Park, Great Eastern Highway, 31°10′48.8″S, 120°22′58.7″E, 23 September 2011, under rocks, C. Stevenson (WAM T120325, T156926, T156927); 3 ♂, 2 ♀, Burra Rock, Burra Rock Nature Reserve, 31°17′21.1″S, 120°55′56.4″E, 23 August 1985, under granite rocks, M.S. Harvey, T.J. Doeg, R. Marchant (WAM T64877, T156917–156920); 3 ♂, 3 ♀, Yellowdine Rock, 31°17′43″S, 119°38′32″E, 6 August 2006, under granite rocks, R. Engel (WAM T76889, T156921–156925); 1 ♂, 1 tritonymph, 1 deutonymph, 1 protonymph, granite outcrop, ca. 80 km E. of Coolgardie, S. side of Great Eastern Highway, 31°11′21″S, 120°26′23″E, 6 August 2006, under granite rock, R. Engel (WAM T76871, T76872).

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Figures 1‒8. Synsphyronus alisonae, sp. nov.: 1‒4, male holotype (WAM T145267): 1, body, dorsal; 2, body, ventral; 3, cephalothorax, dorsal; 4, left chela, retrolateral; 5‒8, female paratype (WAM T145264): 5, body, dorsal; 6, body, ventral; 7, cephalothorax, dorsal; 8, left chela, retrolateral.

Figures 9‒12. Synsphyronus alisonae, sp. nov., male holotype (WAM T145267): 9, carapace, dorsal; 10; left eyes, dorsal; 11, right pedipalp, dorsal; 12, left leg IV, retrolateral. Scale lines = 1.0 mm (Figure 11); 0.5 mm (Figures 9, 12); 0.2 mm (Figure 10).

Figures 13‒17. Synsphyronus alisonae, sp. nov.: 13, left chela, retrolateral, male holotype (WAM T145267); 14, detail of chelal teeth, retrolateral, male holotype (WAM T145267); 15, left chela, retrolateral, tritonymph paratype (WAM T145270); 16, right chela, retrolateral, deutonymph paratype (WAM T145274); 17 left chela, retrolateral, protonymph paratype (T145275). Scale lines = 0.5 mm (Figures 13, 15‒17); 0.2 mm (Figure 14).

Diagnosis

Synsphyronus alisonae most closely resembles S. lathrius Harvey, 1987 and S. magnus Hoff, 1947 in the possession of seven trichobothria on the fixed finger and two on the movable finger (Figure 13), and separate metatarsi and tarsi (Figure 12). It differs from both of these species by being larger [e.g. chela (with pedicel) 2.350–2.495 (♂), 2.530‒2.630 (♀) in S. alisonae versus 1.60–1.80 (♂), 1.68–2.055 (♀) mm in S. lathrius, and 2.00–2.16 (♂), 1.97–2.36 (♀) mm in S. magnus] and the more elongate chelal hand (without pedicel) which is 2.61–2.87 (♂), 2.54–2.59 (♀) × longer than broad (Figure 11). It further differs from S. magnus by the broad anterior eye (Figure 10), which is narrow in S. magnus.

Description

Adults

Colour (Figures 1‒8) of sclerotized portions generally dark yellow-brown; tergites IV‒X and sternites V–X with paired darker patches. Waxy epicuticle. Setae generally aligned perpendicularly from body, each seta quadricarinate. Most cuticular surfaces roughened, but not granulate.

Chelicera: with 5 setae on hand and 1 subdistal seta on movable finger, all setae acuminate; setae sbs and bs shorter than others; 2 dorsal lyrifissures and 1 ventral lyrifissure; galea of ♂ and ♀ unbranched; rallum of 3 blades, the most distal blade with spinules on leading edge, other blades smooth; serrula exterior with 21 (♂), 22 (♀) blades; lamina exterior present.

Pedipalp (Figure 11): trochanter 1.31 (♂), 1.35 (♀), femur 4.61–4.92 (♂), 4.68‒4.86 (♀), patella 3.43–3.59 (♂), 3.24‒3.57 (♀), chela (with pedicel) 5.04–5.37 (♂), 4.48–4.96 (♀), chela (without pedicel) 4.64–4.95 (♂), 4.25–4.75 (♀), hand (without pedicel) 2.61–2.87 (♂), 2.54–2.59 (♀) × longer than broad, movable finger 0.73–0.83 (♂), 0.80–0.86 (♀) × longer than hand (without pedicel). Fixed chelal finger with 7 trichobothria, movable chelal finger with 2 trichobothria (Figure 13): eb and esb situated basally, isb absent, est situated submedially, slightly closer to esb than to et, et situated subdistally, ib and ist situated basally in diagonal row, and it situated subdistally, midway between ist and et; b situated subbasally, t situated submedially, sb and st absent; patch of microsetae present on retrolateral margin of fixed chelal finger near et. Venom apparatus present in both chelal fingers, venom ducts long, terminating in nodus ramosus near et in fixed finger and midway between t and tip of finger in movable finger. Chelal teeth retrorse and acute distally, becoming rounded basally (Figure 14); fixed finger with 60 (♂), 64 (♀) teeth; movable finger with 48 (♂), 56 (♀) teeth; accessory teeth absent.

Carapace (Figures 3, 7, 9): 0.89–0.96 (♂), 0.86‒0.94 (♀) × longer than broad; anterior margin slightly indented medially; subtriangular; with 2 pairs of corneate eyes (Figure #) situated ca. one-third carapace length from anterior margin; anterior eye large and broad, not constricted; with 2 setae near anterior margin and 4 (♂, ♀) near posterior margin; with numerous lyrifissures; without furrows.

Coxal region: manducatory process rounded, with 4 apical acuminate setae, plus 7 (♂, ♀) additional setae; medial maxillary lyrifissure situated submedially; chaetotaxy of coxae I–IV: ♂, 4: 4: 5: 7; ♀, 4: 4: 6: 14.

Legs (Figure 12): junction between femora and patellae I and II slightly oblique to long axis; junction between femora and patellae III and IV very angulate; femora III and IV much smaller than patellae III and IV; femur + patella of leg IV 4.16 (♂), 4.06 (♀) × longer than broad; metatarsi and tarsi separate; subterminal tarsal setae arcuate and acute; arolium much longer than claws, not divided.

Abdomen: tergites II–X (♂, ♀) and sternites IV–XI (♂), with median suture line, ♀ sternites undivided (Figures 1, 2, 5, 6). Tergal chaetotaxy: ♂, 4: 4: 6: 6: 7: 9: 7: 8: 10: 8: 2: 2; ♀, 5: 6: 6: 6: 8: 8: 10: 10: 9: 6: 2: 2; uniseriate; all setae quadricarinate. Sternal chaetotaxy: ♂, 10: (0) 4 [4 + 4] (0): (0) 2 (0): 4: 6: 7: 6: 6: 6: 4: 2; ♀, 7: (0) 8 (0): (0) 7 (0): 12: 10: 10: 10: 10: 7: 4: 2; uniseriate; all setae quadricarinate except for setae on sternites II–IV and medial setae on sternites V–VI, which are acuminate. Spiracles without helix. Anal plates (tergite XII and sternite XII) situated within sternite XI, surrounded by slightly raised rim. Pleural membrane wrinkled-plicate; without any setae.

Genitalia: male: lateral apodeme laterally extended and distally broadened; anterior apodeme acute; a pair of acute dorsal apodemes; lateral rod very broad ventrally and with a blunt, anterior projection; ejaculatory canal atrium large and cup-shaped. Female: with one pair of lateral cribriform plates and 2 pairs of median cribriform plates.

Dimensions: male: holotype (WAM T145267) followed by 2 other males (when measured): Body length 4.90 (4.93‒4.99). Pedipalps: trochanter 0.655/0.500, femur 1.855/0.395 (1.845-1.870/0.380‒0.400), patella 1.405/0.410 (1.415–1.420/0.395‒0.410), chela (with pedicel) 2.495/0.495 (2.350–2.475/0.475), chela (without pedicel) 2.295 (2.330–2.350), hand (without pedicel) length 1.290 (1.305–1.365), movable finger length 1.040 (1.000‒1.080). Carapace 1.300/1.455 (1.365–1.370/1.420–1.435); eye diameter, anterior 0.105, posterior 0.080. Leg IV: femur + patella 1.270/0.305, tibia 0.750/0.165, metatarsus 0.275/0.135, tarsus 0.230/0.140.

Female: paratype (WAM T145264) followed by 2 other females (when measured): Body length 5.84 (5.46‒5.96). Pedipalps: trochanter 0.720/0.535, femur 1.965/0.420 (1.890‒1.945/0.395‒0.400), patella 1.440/0.445 (1.420‒1.500/0.420‒0.435), chela (with pedicel) 2.630/0.545 (2.530‒2.580/0.520‒0.565), chela (without pedicel) 2.495 (2.405‒2.470), hand (without pedicel) length 1.410 (1.340‒1.435), movable finger length 1.215 (1.135–1.155). Carapace 1.440/1.665 (1.420‒1.495/1.585‒1.625); eye diameter, anterior 0.105, posterior 0.095. Leg IV: femur + patella 1.460/0.360, tibia 0.870/0.180, metatarsus 0.305/0.160, tarsus 0.270/0.140.

Tritonymph

Colour mostly as for adults, but generally paler.

Chelicera:with 5 setae on hand and 1 on movable finger; galea unbranched.

Pedipalp: femur 4.14 ×, patella 2.96 ×, chela (with pedicel) 4.28 ×, chela (without pedicel) 4.12 ×, hand (without pedicel) 2.36 × longer than broad, and movable finger 0.83 × longer than hand (without pedicel). Fixed chelal finger with 6 trichobothria, movable chelal finger with 2 trichobothria (Figure 15): eb, ist and ib situated basally; est situated submedially, slightly closer to eb than to et; et situated subdistally; it submedially; t submedially.

Carapace: 0.81 × longer than broad; with 4 setae near posterior margin.

Legs: metatarsi and tarsi fused.

Abdomen: tergal chaetotaxy: 4: 4: 4: 4: 6: 6: 8: 8: 8: 8: 4: 2. Sternal chaetotaxy: 0: (0) 4 (0): (0) 4 (0): 6: 5: 6: 7: 8: 9: 4: 2.

Dimensions (mm): WAM T145270: Body length 4.48. Pedipalps: femur 1.490/0.360, patella 1.155/0.390, chela (with pedicel) 2.075/0.485, chela (without pedicel) 2.000, hand (without pedicel) length 1.145, movable finger length 0.945. Carapace 1.200/1.490.

Deutonymph

Colour pale yellow-brown, legs paler.

Chelicera: with 5 setae on hand and 1 on movable finger; galea unbranched.

Pedipalp: femur 3.25 ×, patella 2.67 ×, chela (with pedicel) 3.59 ×, chela (without pedicel) 3.36 ×, hand (without pedicel) 0.93 × longer than broad, and movable finger 1.59 × longer than hand (without pedicel). Fixed chelal finger with 5 trichobothria, movable chelal finger with 1 trichobothrium (Figure 16): eb and ib situated basally; est situated submedially, closer to eb than to et; et situated submedially; it situated submedially; t situated submedially.

Carapace: 0.87 × longer than broad; with 4 setae near posterior margin.

Legs: metatarsi and tarsi fused.

Abdomen: tergal chaetotaxy: 4: 4: 4: 5: 5: 5: 6: 6: 7: 7: 3: 2. Sternal chaetotaxy: 0: (0) 2 (0): (0) 4 (0): 4: 4: 4: 5: 6: 5: 4: 2.

Dimensions (mm): WAM T145274: Body length 3.31. Pedipalps: femur 1.055/0.325, patella 0.855/0.320, chela (with pedicel) 1.615/0.450, chela (without pedicel) 1.510, hand (without pedicel) length 0.770, movable finger length 0.715. Carapace 1.030/1.185.

Protonymph

Colour pale yellow-brown, pedipalps slightly darker.

Chelicera: with 4 setae on hand and 0 on movable finger; galea unbranched.

Pedipalp: femur 3.37 ×, patella 2.28 ×, chela (with pedicel) 3.47 ×, chela (without pedicel) 3.32 ×, hand (without pedicel) 1.73 × longer than broad, and movable finger 1.01 × longer than hand (without pedicel). Fixed chelal finger with 3 trichobothria, movable chelal finger with 1 trichobothrium (Figure 17): eb and ib situated basally; et situated subdistally; t situated submedially.

Carapace: 0.86 × longer than broad.

Legs: metatarsi and tarsi fused.

Abdomen: tergal chaetotaxy: 2: 2: 3: 4: 4: 4: 4: 4: 4: 4: 4: 2. Sternal chaetotaxy: 0: (0) 2 (0): (0) 2 (0): 2: 2: 2: 2: 2: 2: 4: 2.

Dimensions (mm): WAM T145275: Body length 2.83. Pedipalps: femur 0.690/0.205, patella 0.535/0.235, chela (with pedicel) 1.040/0.300, chela (without pedicel) 0.995, hand (without pedicel) length 0.520, movable finger length 0.525. Carapace 0.660/0.770.

Remarks

All specimens of Synsphyronus alisonae were collected from under granite rocks in the Coolgardie Bioregion of south-western Australia. The five sites, Victoria Rock, Burra Rock, Yellowdine Rock and two granite outcrops west of Boorabbin, are situated relatively close to each other, and with the most distant localities (Yellowdine Rock and Burra Rock) 147 km apart.

Etymology

This species is named for Alison Jones.