Maratus laurenae Schubert 2020, sp. nov.

Field: Agricultural and Biological Sciences (Life Sciences)

Maratus laurenae sp. nov. (Figs 22 A–F, 23A–C, 24A–C, 25A–F, 26A–D, 27A–C) Material examined. MALE HOLOTYPE (WAM-T150115) from Australia, Western Australia, Mt Lindesay National Park, 34°49’57.0144’’S, 117°19’22.7496’’E, 27 Sep 2019. PARATYPE: One female (WAM-T150116), same locality data as holotype. Etymology. The specific name (laurenae) is a matronym in honour of Lauren Marcianti who has provided the author of this paper with support, encouragement and field assistance over the past several years of researching peacock spiders. Diagnosis. This species is placed in the Maratus linnaei group (Otto & Hill, 2019a) with respect to the subtrapezoidal opisthosoma of the male which tapers steeply towards the truncated rear margin. Males of M. laurenae can be easily separated from other members of the M. linnaei group by the presence of large lateral opsthosomal flaps, and by the unique dorsal opisthosomal pattern by which a series of irregular bands of red scales extend from each side of a central, tear-drop shaped, black marking (Fig 22 A–F). Females of M. laurenae are similar to other Western Australian Maratus females and identification may not be possible without association with a male. The structures of the external male and female genitalia of M. laurenae 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 almost entirely in red-orange scales, with two lighter tracts extending from between AME and ALE (Fig. 22 A–F). Median thoracic tract comprised of white setae extends from rear slope of carapace to rear margin of ocular quadrangle region (some scales rubbed off, shown in Fig. 22A, B, E, F). Lateral tracts of white setae situated behind each PLE. Thin marginal band of white setae present at rim of carapace. PME closer to PLE than to ALE. AME and ALE ringed with short, red-orange scales dorsally and short, light grey scales laterally and ventrally. Long, white setae project downwards from below anterior eyes over clypeus forming triangular shape (Fig. 22D). Cuticular surface of clypeus black and covered with short, white setae. Chelicerae dark brown and glabrous. Coxae and endites pale and glabrous, labium dark brown. Sternum dark brown with light covering of fine, white setae (Fig. 23C). Opisthosoma narrow and sub-trapezoidal in shape, tapering steeply toward truncated rear margin. Dorsal opithosoma distinctively marked with central, lanceolate figure comprised of dark scales. A series of irregular bands of red scales extend from each side of central opisthosomal figure to lateral edges of opisthosoma on a background of iridescent blue-turquoise scales. Anterior margin of dorsal opisthosoma covered lightly with bright white scales, with two anterolateral tracts of red scales below (Fig. 22 A–F). Colular tuft of white setae situated above black spin- nerets. Ventral opisthosoma dark brown and scattered with short, creamy coloured setae (Fig. 23C). 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 interspersed with lighter covering of black and white setae. Legs III and IV with thicker covering of black and white setae. Legs III heavily fringed with black, white, and tan setae. Tarsi of legs III covered with white setae (Fig. 22 A–F). Pedipalp covered dorsally with long, off-white setae. 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. 24 A–C). Female. Ocular quadrangle region with light cover of red-brown to off-white setae (Fig. 25 A–E). Tract of off-white setae extends towards rear margin of ocular quadrangle from behind each AME and at the median. Median thoracic tract comprised of off-white setae extends from rear slope of carapace to posterior margin of ocular quadrangle region. Lateral tracts of off-white setae extend from below PLE to rear margin of carapace. Carapace otherwise dark brown and mostly glabrous and lacking marginal band. PME closer to PLE than to ALE. Anterior margin of ALE and AME with covering of bright orange scales. Long white setae project downwards from below AME forming triangular shape (Fig. 25 B–D). Clypeus covered with short, white setae. Chelicerae dark brown and glabrous. Coxae and endites pale, labium dark brown, translucent and mostly glabrous. Sternum dark brown with light covering of fine, white setae (Fig. 26C). Dorsal opisthosoma dark brown with incomplete cover of off-white and dark brown setae. Surface above each of the four dorsal opisthosomal apodemes covered with white patches of setae. Posterior and lateral edges of dorsal opisthosoma bordered by irregular broad band of off-white and light brown setae (Fig. 25 A–F). Colular tuft of white setae situated above spinnerets. Lateral and ventral opisthosoma light brown with irregular dark spots. Legs I and II subequal in length, legs III and IV longer, legs III longest. Each leg with alternating light and dark brands comprised of white and brown setae, integument below light brown and translucent. Pedipalps light brown and translucent with incomplete cover of white setae. Epigynum with pair of large circular fossae separated by septum. Circular posterior spermatheca behind each fossa. Sclerotized ducts present anterior to each spermatheca (Fig. 26D). Variation. Unknown. Courtship display. The male elevates legs III, holding them in place for the duration of the courtship display. When the opisthosoma reaches complete elevation, the opisthosomal flaps are extended, and the opisthosoma is waved, with legs III slightly flexing. As the female approaches, the male retracts the opisthosomal flaps and slowly waves the opisthosoma from side to side, seemingly randomly extending and retracting the opisthosomal flaps during the duration of the display (Fig. 27 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: 5.08. Carapace length 2.52. Opisthosoma length 2.58. Leg I length: 2.90. Leg II length: 2.90. Leg III length: 4.67. Leg IV length: 3.97. Dimensions. Female. Total length: 5.54. Carapace length 2.53. Opisthosoma length: 3.21. Leg I length: 2.88. Leg II length: 2.91. Leg III length: 4.36. Leg IV length: 3.88. Distribution. Known only from the type locality in Mount Lindesay National Park, Western Australia (Fig. 1). Found in the leaf litter in the habitat shown in Fig. 28A, B. Remarks. The sub-trapezoidal opisthosoma of the male which tapers steeply towards the truncated rear margin suggests that this species is a member of the M. linnaei group and the morphological similarities between all species in this group are quite clear. Curiously, however, males of this species bear large lateral opisthosomal flaps (unlike all other members of the M. linnaei group) and the opisthosomal markings and shape of the fan when extended resemble members of the Maratus mungaich group. This may indicate that these two species groups are more closely related than previously thought, or that some morphological characters are independently evolving in different lineages. DNA sequencing or population genetic studies with a focus on geography will be needed to resolve the true phylogenetic relationships within Maratus.