Knoelle clara L. Koch 1877, comb. nov.
Creators: name: Framenau, Volker W.
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2006
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Araneae
Lycosidae
Knoelle
Knoelle clara

description: Knoelle clara (L. Koch, 1877) comb. nov.
(Figs 1–11)
Lycosa clara L. Koch 1877: 912 –914, plate 79, figs 1, 1a–b. Rainbow 1911: 266; Bonnet 1957: 2638; McKay 1973: 379; 1979: 249–252, figs 3a–l; 1985: 75; Platnick 1989: 370.
Allocosa clara (L. Koch). Roewer 1955: 206; Roewer 1961: 2; Rack 1961: 37.
Material examined
Syntypes. Female, Bowen [20°00’S, 148°14’E, Queensland, Australia], Museum Godeffroy No. 14559 [ZMH, Rack (1961) ­catalogue 449]. Female, same locality (NHM 1919.9.18.219).
Other material examined. AUSTRALIA: New South Wales: 1 female, Boomi Nature Reserve, 2km E of Boomi, 28º43'31''S, 149º36'14''E (AM KS76739). Northern Territory: 1 male, “mulga gradient”, no exact locality (NTMAG A928); 1 male, Alice Springs, 35 km S, 24º00'S, 133º53'E (AM KS69246); 1 male, Berrimah, CSIRO, 12º26'S, 130º56'E (NTMAG A796); 1 female, Cahills Crossing, 12º26'S, 132º58'E (WAM T51339); 1 female, Casuarina Beach, Darwin, 12º21'45''S, 130º52'02''E (WAM T56517); 1 male, Daly River, 13º18'S, 130º15'E (NTMAG A3438); 5 males, 2 females, same locality (NTMAG); 1 male, Darwin, 12º27'S, 130º52'E (NTMAG); 2 females, 1 juv., near Darwin, 12º27'S, 130º52'E (MV K8203); 1 male, Dingo Creek, Victoria Highway near WA Border, 16º04'S, 129º05'E (AM KS32792); 2 males, 1 female, East Point, Darwin, 12º24'S, 130º49'E (QM S45582); 1 male, 3 females, 13 juv., Harriet Creek, 16 mi N of Pine Creek, 13º31'S, 132º03'E (WAM T51345, QM S71360); 1 female, Humpty Doo, Sunter Road, Beatrice Hill, 12º39'S, 131º20'E (QM S46363); 1 female, Illamurta Spring, 24º18'30''S, 132º41'10''E (SAM NN 16622); 1 male, Kakadu National Park, Nourlangie Camp, 12º51'S, 132º48'E (QM); 7 females, Kapalga, 12º36'S, 132º25'E (WAM T58372–5, T58349); 1 female, Pickertaramoor, 7km W, Melville Island, 11º46'S, 130º52'E (SAM NN 16529); 6 males, 4 females, 3 juv., Radon Creek, Kakadu National Park, 12º45'S, 132º53'E (QM S45581); 1 male, Ranger Uranium Mine Site, 12º40'S, 132º55'E (NTMAG); 2 females, Rimbija Island, Wessel Islands, 11º01'S, 136º45'E (ANIC); 1 male, 4 females, Tennant Creek, 19º39'S, 134º11'E (QM S21384 –5, S21387); 3 males, Victoria River crossing near Victoria River Downs, 16º03'S, 131º05'E (AM KS32793); 9 males, 7 females, 2 juv., West Alligator Mouth, 12º11'S, 132º16'E (QM S45579 –80). Queensland: 1 female, no exact locality (labelled Q3209) (QM S45583); 1 female, no exact locality (labelled Q3033) (QM S71926); 3 males, 1 juv., Amber Station, 17º47'S, 144º22'E (QM S45567); 1 male, 1 female, 2 juv., Aurukun, 13º36'S, 141º48'E (QM S45562); 2 males, 2 females, Bluewater township, N of, 19º10'S, 146º32'E (QM S45572); 1 female, Burlington Station, 17º49'S, 144º24'E (QM S45568); 1 female, Camp Milo, Cooloola, 26º02'S, 153º03'E (QM W5648); 1 male, 2 juv., Canal Creek Crossing, Cape York, 11º25'S, 142º23'E (QM S45552); 2 males, 1 female, 13 juv., Cape Flattery, Cape York, 14º56'S, 145º21'E (QM S45504, S45564); 3 females, 1 juv., Cape Flattery, S of, Cape York, Mt Ivor Road, 14º56'S, 145º21'E (QM S45566); 2 females, 1 juv., Cape York, Cholmondeley Creek to “Three Ways” Heathlands Reserve, 15º00'S, 145º00'E (QM S45556); 1 male, 1 female, 1 juv., Charleville Airport, 26º24'S, 146º14'E (QM S45576); 1 female, Claudie River, 12º50'S, 143º21'E (MV K8189); 1 male, 1 juv., Cockatoo Creek, 11º39'S, 142º27'E (ANIC); 3 females, Coen, N of, 13º48'S, 143º12'E (QM S45563); 1 female, Coleman River Crossing, 15km W of Musgrave Homestead, 14º48'S, 143º21'E (AM KS45541); 1 male, 4 juv., Considine Bay, North Keppel Island, 23º04'S, 150º53'E (QM S21383); 3 males, 1 female, Dulhunty River, Cape York, 12º00'S, 142º07'E (QM S45559); 1 female, Fraser Island, 25º33'S, 152º59'E (AM KS86331); 2 females, Heathlands Reserve, Cape York, road to Cockatoo Creek, 23º46'S, 149º38'E (QM S45555); 1 male, 1 female, Hibbett Point­Evans Landing, Weipa, 12º37'S, 141º52'E (QM S45560); 1 male, 1 female, 3 juv., Hibbett Point­ Evans Landing, Weipa, 12º39'S, 141º51'E (QM S45561); 1 female, Horseshoe Bay, Bowen, 20º00'S, 148º14'E (QM S45574); 1 male, 1 juv., Jardine River, Cape York, 10º58'S, 142º35'E (QM S45554); 1 female, Lake Bronto, Cape York, 10º46'S, 142º34'E (QM S45551); 1 female, Leichhardt River East Branch, 8km W, 20º42'S, 140º30'E (QM S71928); 1 female, Leichhardt River East Branch, 8km E, Cloncurry to Mt Isa, 20º42'S, 140º30'E (QM S21386); 1 male, 2 females, 1 juv., Lizard Island, 14º40'S, 145º27'E (AM KS682, KS12627; WAM T55319); 4 males, 4 females, Lucinda, 18º32'S, 146º20'E (QM S21382); 7 males, Moranbah, 6km S, 22º02'S, 148º03'E (QM S31709, S44331); 2 females, Musgrave Station, 10km E, 14º47'S, 143º30'E (QM S47); 1 male, North Stradbroke Island, 27º36'S, 153º27'E (QM S45577); 6 males, 3 females, Peak Downs, 22º56'S, 148º05'E (QM W3916); 2 males, Rosella Plains, 18º25'S, 144º28'E (QM S45570); 2 males, 1 female, Sailor Creek Crossing, Cape York, 13º34'S, 142º25'E (QM S45553); 2 males, 1 juv., South Percy Island, Lagoon area, 21º46'S, 150º18'E (QM S40787–8); 2 males, South Percy Island, NW Bay, 21º45'S, 150º18'E (QM S71330); 2 males, 1 female, Springfield, 27º40'S, 152º53'E (QM S45569); 1 male, Taroom district, Rock Wallaby Hill, 25º25'S, 149º58'E (QM S37225); 1 female, 1 juv., Thargomindah, 27º59'S, 143º49'E (QM W4670); 6 males, 2 females, Townsville, 19º15'S, 146º49'E (QM S45573); 1 male, Undara Lava Tunnels, 100 Mile Swamp, 18º12'40''S, 144º34'05''E (QM S45571); 1 female, 5 juv., White Point, near Shelburne Station, Cape York, 12º02'S, 142º58'E (QM S45557); 1 female, Woodgate National Park, 25º08'S, 152º58'E (QM S71927). South Australia: 1 female, 3 juv., Amata, 35km SE, 26º16'10''S, 131º28'17''E (SAM NN 11084); 1 female, Amata, 36km SE, 26º16'12''S, 131º28'36''E (SAM NN 11085); 1 female, Cuddapan turnoff on Birdsville Road, 25º24'S, 141º33'E (QM W6407); 2 males, Donald Well Hill, 0.7km WNW, 26º12'17''S, 132º19'42''E (SAM NN 11082–3); 2 males, 1 female, Indulkana, 19.9km WNW, 26º53'56''S, 133º07'22''E (SAM NN 11069–71); 1 female, 1 juv., Maryinna Hill, 9.4km NE, 27º01'12''S, 131º17'27''E (SAM NN 11064); 3 females, Mimili, 26km ENE, 26º54'50''S, 132º56'54''E (SAM NN 11065–67); 1 male, 2 juv., Mimili, 31.5km ENE, 26º53'45''S, 132º59'58''E (SAM NN 11068); 1 female, Mt Hoare, 3km WSW, 27º03'51''S, 129º40'16''E (SAM NN 21548); 1 male, Relief Bore, Tallaringa Conservation Park, 72.2km W, 28º14'S, 133º20'E (SAM NN 16101); 5 males, 2 females, 2 juv., Sentinel Hill, 10.4km SW, 26º08'19''S, 132º22'01''E (SAM NN 11075–81); 1 male, Sentinel Hill, 3.2km WNW, 26º04'22''S, 132º25'9''E (SAM NN 11072); 2 males, 1 juv., Sentinel Hill, 8.2km ESE, 26º07'13''S, 132º31'11''E (SAM NN 11073–4). Western Australia: 1 male, Barrow Island, 20º47'24''S, 115º27'22''E (WAM T58762); 1 female, Derby, 17º18'S, 123º37'E (QM S45584); 1 male, Drysdale River Station, 15º42'S, 126º23'E (WAM T56241); 1 female, Giles River, 71km NE of Warburton, 26º08'S, 126º35'E (WAM T62490); 1 female, Irrunytju Rockhole, 26º07'S, 128º58'E (WAM T53380); 1 male, Little Sandy Desert, 23.1km ESE of Burranbar Pool, 23º52'58''S, 120º38'34''E (WAM T53423); 1 male, 1 juv., Little Sandy Desert, 23.3km ESE of Burranbar Pool, 23º52'58''S, 120º38'40''E (WAM T53425); 2 females, 3 juv., Maitland River, 20º46'S, 116º30'E (WAM T53513, T51340); 1 male, Manning Gorge, 16º44'S, 125º57'E (WAM T62643); 1 male, 3 juv., Mitchell Falls, 14º49'S, 125º41'E (AM KS27867); 5 males, 5 females, Mt Elizabeth Homestead, 5km ESE, 16º18'S, 126º11'E (SAM NN 17230–9); 1 male, 3 females, 5 juv., Munda, 20º33'S, 118º42'E (WAM T47613, T51341–2, T51417); 3 males, 1 female, Nita Downs Station, 19º05'S, 121º40'E (WAM T53629, T64063); 1 female, Old Lissadell Station, Ord River, 16º40'S, 128º33'E (WAM T51343); 2 males, Waramboo, 52.1km W Pannawonica, 21º39'49''S, 115º49'10''E (WAM T65665); 9 males, 1 female, 1 juv., Well 46, Canning Stock Route, 20º39'S, 126º17'E (WAM T51344); 2 females, Woodstock Station at 21º40'15''S, 119º02'30''E (WAM T51349, T62501); 1 female, Woodstock Station at 21º36'35''S, 119º01'17''E (WAM T51348); 1 female, Woodstock Station at 21º36'34''S, 118º58'28''E (WAM T51347).
Diagnosis. Medium sized Lycosidae; males with large patch of macrosetae on cymbium tip (Figs 2, 6–7), females with median septum that widens anteriorly (Fig. 9).
Redescription
Male (from Kapalga, Northern Territory; WAM T56241):
Prosoma, dorsal shield (Figs 1, 4–5). Dorsal profile in lateral view straight (Fig. 4); brown; distinct dark radial pattern; light brown median band narrowing posteriorly and with minor restriction in front of fovea; distinct light but irregular submarginal bands and irregular dark brown marginal band (Fig. 1); brown setae, but white setae in median and submarginal bands; dark brown macrosetae around eyes; one long bristle between AME, six bristles below ALE.
Eyes (Fig. 5). Row of AE slightly procurved and narrower than row of PME.
Sternum. Shiny brown; brown setae, especially centrally, and brown macrosetae, which are denser and longer towards margins.
Labium. Dark brown; front end truncated and white.
Chelicerae. Dark reddish­brown; covered with white setae, brown macrosetae basally; three promarginal teeth, the median largest and the apical very small and close to the median; three retromarginal teeth with the basally smallest and the median largest.
Pedipalp (Figs 2, 6–8). Cymbium with large patch of macrosetae; tegular apophysis with two distinct hooks and a lamellar process between these hooks (Fig. 6); embolus slender, terminal apophysis and pars pendula sickle­shaped (Fig. 8).
Opisthosoma. Mottled olive­grey and centrally lighter, distinct darker heart mark in anterior half (Fig. 1); silver­grey setae which are very dense laterally, brown macrosetae less dense. Venter yellow­brown with large black patch covering ca. three quarter behind epigastric furrow. Spinnerets light brown.
Legs. Leg formula VI>I>II>III; light brown, with the distal segments darker; dense scopulate setae ventrally on tarsi and metatarsi of leg I and II. Spination of leg I: femur: 3 dorsal, 2 apicoprolateral, 1 small prolateral (right leg only), 2 retrolateral, 1 apicoretrolateral; patella: 1 prolateral, 1 retrolateral; tibia: 2 dorsal, 3 ventral pairs, 2 prolateral, 2 retrolateral; metatarsus: 3 ventral pairs, 2 prolateral, 2 retrolateral, 1 apicoprolateral, 1 apicoretrolateral, 1 apicoventral.
Female (from Kapalga, Northern Territyory; WAM T58372):
Prosoma, dorsal shield. As male but slightly darker, median and submarginal bands more irregular; eight bristles below ALE.
Labium. Dark reddish­brown, front end truncated and white.
Sternum. Dark brown; setae as male.
Chelicerae. As male, but less white setae and more grey macrosetae.
Opisthosoma. As male, but darker and heart mark less indistinct. Venter and spinnerets as male.
Epigyne. Median septum inverted T­shaped and widening anteriorly (Fig. 9); spermathecal heads globular, spermathecal stalks bent basally (Fig. 10).
Legs. Leg formula IV>I>II>III; colouration as male but slightly darker; dense scopulate setae on tarsi and metatarsi of all legs. Spination of leg I: Femur: 3 dorsal (one additional apical one on right leg), 2 retrolateral, 2 apicoprolateral; patella: 1 retrolateral; tibia: 3 ventral pairs, 2 retrolateral (left leg only); metatarsus: 3 ventral pairs, 1 apicoventral.
Measurements. Male WAM T56241 (female WAM 58372): TL 12.23 (19.02), PL 7.16 (11.12), PW 5.19 (8.03). Eyes: AME 0.46 (0.57), ALE 0.20 (0.30), PME 0.83 (1.24), PLE 0.65 (0.93). Row of eyes: AE 1.41 (2.13), PME 2.22 (2.84), PLE 1.91 (3.46). Sternum (length/width) 3.21/2.59 (4.32/3.33). Labium (length/width) 0.83/0.83 (1.20/ 1.30). OL 5.56 (8.40), OW 3.71 (6.18). Legs: Lengths of segments (femur + patella/tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): Pedipalp 3.09 + 2.96 + ­ + 2.47 = 8.52, I 6.30 + 7.78 + 5.06 + 3.09 = 22.23, II 5.93 + 7.16 + 4.94 + 2.96 = 20.99, III 5.56 + 6.55 + 5.43 + 2.84 = 20.38, IV 6.79 + 8.77 + 7.04 + 3.83 = 26.43 (Pedipalp 4.20 + 4.64 + ­ + 3.09 = 11.93, I 8.28 + 10.50 + 6.18 + 3.58 = 28.54, II 7.66 + 10.37 + 6.18 + 3.33 = 27.54, III 7.04 + 9.02 + 6.67 + 3.33 = 26.06, IV 8.65 + 11.12 + 9.02 + 4.32 = 33.11).
Variation. Males (females) (range, mean ± s.d.): TL 10.74 – 16.06, 13.62 ± 1.94; PL 6.05 – 9.14, 7.52 ± 1.00; PW 4.20 – 7.04, 5.42 ± 0.85; n = 11 (TL 11.24 – 22.97, 18.21 ± 3.49; PL 7.41 – 11.98, 9.71 ± 1.52; PW 5.56 – 8.65, 7.12 ± 1.14; n = 14).
Distribution. Northern parts of Australia north of ca. 30°S latitude (New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Western Australia) (Fig. 11).
Life history and habitat preferences. Mature males and females were mainly collected from September to April, with single records for May and June. Male numbers peaked in October, females one month later in November. A female carrying spiderlings was collected in the Northern Territory in April (WAM T58374).
Knoelle clara comb. nov. appears to tolerate a variety of microhabitats, but seems to prefer sandy habitats near freshwater, such as creeks, springs or lakes. It has been found in open woodlands, for example amongst River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) or other eucalypts and Acacia vegetation, such as Ironwood (Acacia estrophiolata), Needleleaf Wattle (A. orthocarpa), Ranji Bush (A. pyrifolia), or Mulga (A. aneura). Some records are from open grasslands, in particular from spinifex and tussock grasslands and buffel grass (Cenchrus ciliaris). In Queensland, Knoelle clara comb. nov. has been collected in sand dunes near beaches.
Remarks. I have examined the specimens from Goolwa, South Australia, listed by Hogg (1905) as Lycosa clara (SAM NN453–6; 4 females). They belong to Venator spenceri Hogg, 1900 as already suggested by McKay (1979). The specimens listed by Hogg (1914) from Montebello and Hermite Islands, Western Australia (NHM 1924.3.1.1018–27; 1 female, 9 juveniles; examined) are an undescribed species illustrated as Lycosa meracula Simon, 1909 by McKay (1979). Lycosa meracula has recently been established as junior synonym of Tetralycosa oraria (L. Koch, 1876) and is not conspecific with the species illustrated by McKay (1979) (Framenau et al. in press).
The mating sequence of male K. clara comb. nov. is unknown, but the presence of a strong, sclerotised ridge dorso­apically on the pedipalp tibia in males suggests the presence of a stridulatory component in the mating signal of males, possibly coupled to the substrate via the large patch of macrosetae on the cymbium tip (Rovner 1975). The preference for sandy substrates that may provide only limited resistance to the macrosetae on the cymbium tip may have facilitated the evolution of a relatively large patch of setae in comparison with other species. To elucidate the particular function of the macrosetae in K. clara comb. nov., detailed experiments with a manipulation of the size of the macrosetae patch and substrate composition are required.
description: Published as part of Framenau, Volker W., 2006, Knoelle, a new monotypic wolf spider genus from Australia (Araneae: Lycosidae), pp. 55-67 in Zootaxa 1281 on pages 58-65, DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.173409