Maratus azureus Schubert 2020, sp. nov.
Creators: name: Schubert, Joseph
Publisher: name: Zenodo
Year: 2020
Subjects: Biodiversity
Taxonomy
Animalia
Arthropoda
Arachnida
Araneae
Salticidae
Maratus
Maratus azureus

description: Maratus azureus sp. nov.
(Figs 2 A–F, 3A–C, 4A–C, 5A–F, 6A–D, 7A–C, 8A–C)
Material examined. MALE HOLOTYPE (WAM-T 150109) from Australia, Western Australia, 19.5 km SSE
of Mayanup, 34°5’59.3077’’S, 116°30’17.2469’’E, 12 Oct 2019. PARATYPES: 3 males, 1 female (WAM-T150110 – T150113), same locality data as holotype.
Etymology. The specific name (azureus, Latin, m, adjective, English translation: deep blue) refers to the deep blue colouration of the dorsal opisthosomal scale patterns of the male of this species.
Diagnosis. This species belongs to the Maratus vespa group (Otto & Hill, 2019a), 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 (within millimetres). M. azureus can be distinguished from all other males of the group by its unique dorsal opisthosomal pattern by which a complex pattern of dull brown, red, and turquoise bands mark a background of deep blue scales. (Fig 2 A–C, F). M. azureus most closely resembles Maratus unicup Otto & Hill 2018, however, the posterodorsal opisthosoma of M. unicup is marked with a transverse band of light blue scales which M. azureus lacks. Females of M. azureus are similar to other females in the M. vespa clade and identification may not be possible without association with a male. The structures of the external male and female genitalia of M. azureus are of little use in distinguishing them from other Southwestern Australia endemic Maratus species.
Description. Male. Carapace dark brown, almost black and mostly glabrous. Ocular quadrangle region covered thickly in light tan scales and interrupted by five distinct stripes of red-orange scales which extend from behind each anterior eye and at the median of the AME to rear margin of ocular quadrangle (Fig. 2 A–F). Median thoracic tract comprised of
white setae extends from rear slope of carapace to rear margin of ocular quadrangle region (Fig. 2 A–C, F). Lateral slopes of carapace with light covering of tan-coloured setae. Thin marginal band of white setae present at rim of carapace (Fig. 2C, F).
PME closer to PLE than to ALE. AME and ALE ringed with short, red-orange scales dorsally and short, tan scales laterally and ventrally. Long, white setae project downwards from below AME forming triangular shape (Fig. 2D). Cuticular surface of clypeus black and covered with short, white and tan setae. Chelicerae dark brown and glabrous. Coxae and endites pale, labium dark brown and glabrous. Sternum dark brown with light covering of fine, tan setae (Fig. 3C).
Anterior ~1/4 of dorsal opisthosoma marked with complex pattern of irregularly shaped bands of red-orange scales on a background of light turquoise scales. Remaining posterior ~3/4 of dorsal opisthosoma marked with complex pattern of brown-purple bands on a background of deep blue scales. Posterior margin of dorsal opisthosoma distinctly marked with four tracts of vivid light-turquoise scales on a dark background (Fig. 2 A–C, F). Colular tuft of white setae situated above black spinnerets. Ventral opisthosoma dark brown and scattered with short, tan-coloured setae (Fig. 3C). Deep blue, lateral opisthosomal flaps which can be extended during courtship present on lateral edges of opisthosoma (Fig. 7C).
Legs I and II subequal in length, legs III and IV longer, legs III by far longest. Each leg with thick covering of tan setae (Fig. 2 C–E). Legs III and IV with indistinct patches of black and white setae mostly dorsally and posteri- orly (Fig. 2A, B). Legs III heavily fringed with black, white, and tan setae (Fig. 2E). Tarsi of each leg lightly covered with white setae, legs III more distinctively so (Fig. 2 A–F). Pedipalp covered dorsally with long, tan-coloured setae (Fig. 2D) and laterally with dark brown setae (Fig. 2E). Relatively large male palpal bulb with retrolateral sperm duct loop, large retrobasal tegular lobe, finger-like retrolateral tibial apophysis, embolic disc with anticlockwise coiled embolus. Distal embolus with two seemingly fused apices when viewed laterally. Heavily sclerotized cuticle on tegulum prolaterally below emolic disc (Fig. 4 A–C).
Female. Female. Ocular quadrangle region with light cover of light brown and off-white setae (Fig. 5 A–F). Median thoracic tract comprised of off-white setae situated on rear slope of carapace (worn in paratype female) (Fig. 5E, F). Lateral tracts of off-white setae extend from ALE to rear margin of carapace (also worn). Carapace otherwise dark brown, almost black, and mostly glabrous, lacking marginal band.
PME closer to PLE than to ALE. Anterior eyes ringed with white and red-brown scales or setae. Long white setae project downwards from below AME forming triangular shape. Clypeus lightly covered with short, white setae (Fig. 5C). Chelicerae dark brown and glabrous. Coxae pale, endites and labium dark brown, translucent and mostly glabrous. Sternum dark brown with light covering of fine, white setae (Fig. 6C).
Dorsal opisthosoma dark brown with incomplete cover of off-white and dark brown setae. Vague chevron pattern of white setae extends from posterior margin of dorsal opisthosoma, pattern more distinct on/between posterior opisthosomal apodemes. Anterior opisthosomal apodemes with light covering of off-white setae. Broad tracts of off-white setae cover lateral opisthosoma extending over posterior margin of dorsal opisthosoma forming ‘V’ shape (Fig. 5A, B, D–F). Colular tuft of white setae situated above spinnerets. Lateral and ventral opisthosoma light brown with irregular dark spots (Fig. 6C).
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 (Fig. 5 A–F). Pedipalps light brown and translucent with incomplete cover of white setae. Epigynum with pair of large ovate fossae separated by septum. Ovate posterior spermatheca behind each fossa. Sclerotized ducts present anterior to each spermatheca (Fig. 6D).
Variation. Between males in the type series, the white tracts of scales appear more or less distinct due to scales rubbing off. The width and colour of the markings of scales on the ocular quadrangle of the males also vary slightly. The width and colour of each tract of scales on dorsal opisthosoma vary between the males in the type series, as well as the positioning of the four light tracts of scales at the posterior margin of the dorsal opisthosoma (Fig. 8).
Courtship display. The male elevates legs III in a partially 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, the lateral opisthosomal flaps are repeatedly retracted and extended while the opisthosoma remains elevated and waving (Fig. 7 A–C). (Note: only partial courtship display observed, the males may exhibit a more complete courtship display with multiple modes of courtship).
Dimensions. Male. Total length: 4.42–4.63 (4.53±0.07, n=4). Carapace length 2.30–2.58 (2.46±0.12, n=4). Opisthosoma length 1.94–2.26 (2.10±0.11, n=4). Leg I length: 2.78–2.84 (2.82±0.03, n=4). Leg II length: 2.80–2.85 (2.82±0.02, n=4). Leg III length: 4.14–4.20 (4.15±0.02, n=4). Leg IV length: 3.70–3.75 (3.72±0.02, n=4).
Dimensions. Female. Total length: 6.48. Carapace length 3.01. Opisthosoma length 3.48. Leg I length: 2.51. Leg II length: 2.56. Leg III length: 4.2. Leg IV length: 3.81.
Distribution. Known only from the type locality 19.5 km SSE of Mayanup, Western Australia (Fig. 1). Found in the eucalypt leaf litter shown in Fig. 9A, and also on the grass-like plants shown in Fig. 9B.
description: Published as part of Schubert, Joseph, 2020, Seven new species of Australian peacock spiders (Araneae: Salticidae: Euophryini: Maratus Karsch, 1878), pp. 1-44 in Zootaxa 4758 (1) on pages 2-9, DOI: 10.11646/zootaxa.4758.1.1, http://zenodo.org/record/3730652