Epeira arenacea Keyserling, 1886 (designated here).

The genus-group name is a compound noun composed of ‘Kang-’ in reference to the Kangaroo, genus Macropus Shaw, 1790, the renowned Australian marsupial, and ‘-araneus’, a genus-group name for orb-weaving spiders. The gender of the genus-group name Kangaraneus is masculine.

Within the backobourkiines as circumscribed by Scharff et al. (2020; see also Table 1), the male genitalia of Kangaraneus gen. nov. are most similar to those of Quokkaraneus, due to a similar C-shaped median apophysis with a drawn-out, acute tip and the conductor having a basal protrusion (e.g., Castanheira and Framenau 2022; fig. 1C, D). However, Kangaraneus gen. nov. males differ distinctly by the presence of prominent humeral humps on the abdomen (lacking in Quokkaraneus) and the lack of white colouration on the carapace and legs (e.g., Castanheira and Framenau 2022; fig. 1A). Females of Kangaraneus gen. nov. differ from those of Quokkaraneus in somatic characters as described for males above, but also in the general shape of the epigyne scape, which is much wider basally in Quokkaraneus (Castanheira and Framenau 2022; fig. 3C), but not in Kangaraneus gen. nov. Due to the prominent humeral humps on the abdomen, Kangaraneus gen. nov. species are somatically similar to species of Novakiella but have a vastly different genital morphology; specifically, the male pedipalp lacks the greatly enlarged conductor lobe of Novakiella (e.g., Framenau et al. 2021b; figs 1C, 2A).

Figure 1. 

Kangaraneus arenaceus (Keyserling, 1886) comb. nov., male (WAM T64400). A. Dorsal habitus; B. Ventral habitus; D. Left pedipalp, ventral view; E. Left pedipalp, retrolateral view; F. Left pedipalp, dorsal view. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B); 0.2 mm (C–E). Arrow points to the conductor basal protrusion.

Figure 2. 

Kangaraneus arenaceus (Keyserling, 1886) comb. nov., male expanded left pedipalp (WAM T64598). A. Ventral view; B. Retrolateral view; C. Dorsal view; D. Apical view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.

Medium-sized orb-weaving spiders, with males (ca. TL 3.2–6.7) on average smaller than females (ca. TL 6.3–10.4). Carapace longer than wide with cephalic region slightly narrower in males than in females, light or dark brown (e.g., Figs 1A, 3A, 5A, 6A). Fovea longitudinal in males and transverse in females (e.g., Figs 1A, 3A). AME largest in males, row of posterior eyes recurved, lateral eyes almost touching; posterior lateral eyes largest in females and separated from PME by less than their diameter; AME slightly protruding from the carapace in both sexes (e.g., Figs 1A, 3A). Sternum slightly longer than wide, brown to beige and sometimes with dusky borders (e.g., Figs 1B, 3B). Labium wider than long, with anterior glabrous pale edge (e.g., Figs 6B, 8B). Maxillae with glabrous lighter antero-mesal section (e.g., Figs 6B, 8B). Chelicerae with four promarginal teeth and three retromarginal teeth (reduced to three and two respectively in K. farhani sp. nov.). Leg formula I > II > IV > III; tibiae II in males stronger than tibiae I and with strong prolateral spines (e.g., Figs 1A, 5A). Abdomen sub-triangular, generally wider than long, with two conspicuous humeral humps, but without specialized setae, condyles or other structures; colour dorsally varying from beige to olive-grey and black, sometimes with distinct folium pattern and large pale spot (e.g., Figs 1A, 3A, 5A). Venter brown or grey with irregular black setae, sometimes with two pale spots (e.g., Figs 1B, 3B, 5B, 9B).

Male pedipalp patella with a single macroseta (e.g., Figs 1C, 6C–E, 7A–D); paracymbium hook-shaped (e.g., Figs 1D, 6D, 7A–C, 9D); median apophysis C-shaped, basally strongest and tapering to an acute tip, at ca. half to ¾ length with a prominent bulge (‘central protrusion’), base forming an arch over radix (e.g., Figs 1C–E, 7A–D); radix prominent (e.g., Figs 1C, 2A, 10A); terminal apophysis elongate, membranous, bubble-shaped or lanceolate, with a basal lobe and a pointed tip (e.g., Figs 1C, 2A–D, 10A–D); basal conductor lobe inconspicuous, terminally spatulate (e.g., Figs 1C, 2A, 6C, 10A); conductor prominent, laterally broad, apically with a protuberance and basally with an elongate protrusion tapering to a bifid tip (e.g., Figs 1C–E, 7A–D, 9C–E); embolus strong, basally elongate, rectangular, heavily sclerotised, with a curved, uncapped tip (e.g., Figs 1C, 2A–D, 9C). Epigyne wider than long, with very wide lateral borders encircling a wide and convex atrium (Figs 3E, 8C, 11C); central division narrow (Figs 3E, 8E, 11F); scape basally broadest, either tapering (Figs 3C, 8C) or truncated (Fig. 11D); spermathecae around half or more than half atrium length, ovoid, copulatory ducts curved, somewhat in a lyre-formation and heavily sclerotised (Fig. 4A–F).

All Australian mainland states and Tasmania, excluding Northern Territory. (Fig. 12).

Kangaraneus arenaceus (Keyserling, 1886) comb. nov. (type-species), K. amblycyphus (Simon, 1908) comb. nov., and K. farhani sp. nov.

Lectotype of Epeira arenacea Keyserling, 1886 (designated here): female, Sydney (33°53'S, 151°13'E, New South Wales, AUSTRALIA) (NHM 1890.7.1.4138), examined. Paralectotypes: 5 males, 3 females, same locality as lectotype (ZMH Rack (1961)-catalogue 224), examined; 1 male, same locality as lectotype (NHM 1890.7.1.4137), examined; 1 female, same locality as lectotype, misidentified (this is K. amblycyphus comb. nov.) (NHM 1890.7.1.4139), examined.

AUSTRALIA – New South Wales • 2 females, 3 juveniles, ‘Allambi’ Telegraph Point, 31°19'S, 149°15'E (AM KS.56967); • 1 male, Pittwater, 33°38'S, 151°18'E, (AM KS.31675). Queensland • 1 male, Blackdown Tableland, SW Rockhampton, 23°50'S, 149°03'E (QM); • 1 female, same locality (QM); • 1 female, Braemar State Forest, 27°13'S, 150°50'E (QM); • 1 male, 2 females, 4 juveniles, Peak Downs, 22°56'S, 148°05'E (ZMH); • 2 females, same locality (ZMH). South Australia • 1 female, Bridgewater, 35°S, 138°46'E (SAM); • 1 female, Cape du Couedic, on road to Flinder Chase Ranger Station, Kangaroo Island, 36°03'S, 136°42'E (SAM); • 1 female, Dudley Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island, 35°48'S, 137°51'E (SAM); • 1 female, Kuitpo Forest Reserve, 35°12'S, 138°40'E (SAM); Victoria • 2 females, unknown locality (MV K-10342); • 1 female, Berwick, Quarry Hill, 38°02'S, 145°20'E (QM); • 1 female, 1 juvenile, Spring Gully, 36°48'S, 144°17'E (CVIC 1174). Western Australia • 2 females, south-west Western Australia (no exact locality) (SAM); • 1 female, Boddington Bauxite Mine, 32°55'S, 116°26'E (WAM T77221); • 1 female, Busselton, 33°39'S, 115°20'E (AM KS.131227); • 1 female, Fitzgerald National Park, Twertup, 34°01'S, 119°20'E (WAM T75902); • 1 male, Fitzgerald River National Park, on track to Rose Rock, 34°04'S, 119°25'E (WAM T70101); • 1 male, Huntly Mine, 5 km E Banksiadale Dam, 32°39'S, 116°05'E (WAM T64598); • 1 male, same locality (WAM T64400); • 1 male, Jarrahdale (Alcoa) Mine area, 32°20'S, 116°03'E (WAM T48219); • 1 female, Pemberton, 34°26'S, 116°02'E (AM KS.32901); • 1 male, 1 female, 1 juvenile, Shannon National Park, 34°40'S, 116°22'E (WAM T70165).

Males of Kangaraneus arenaceus comb. nov. are most similar to those of K. amblycyphus comb. nov. as both have pedipalp with a similar median apophysis with a blunt central protrusion and a conductor with an elongated basal protrusion (Figs 1C–E, 2A–D, 6C–E, 7A–D). However, K. arenaceus comb. nov. is identified by a lanceolate terminal apophysis with a more prominent and sclerotised basal lobe, and lacking a distal spine-like tip (present in K. amblycyphus comb. nov.). Kangaraneus arenaceus comb. nov. is the only species in the genus in which females have baso-lateral flaps on the epigyne base (Figs 3E, 4A, B), and in addition can be differentiated from K. amblycyphus comb. nov. by the epigyne scape completely covering the atrium (Figs 3C vs 8C).

Figure 3. 

Kangaraneus arenaceus (Keyserling, 1886) comb. nov., female, (WAM T77221). A. Dorsal habitus; B. Ventral habitus; C. Epigyne, ventral view; D. Epigyne, lateral view; E. Epigyne, posterior view. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B); 0.2 mm (C–E).

Male (based on WAM T64400). Total length 6.7. Carapace 3.0 long, 2.4 wide, light brown, centrally darker around fovea (Fig. 1A). Eye diameter AME 0.11, ALE 0.11, PME 0.12, PLE 0.07; row of eyes: AME 0.51, PME 0.42, PLE 1.12. Chelicerae light brown with four promarginal teeth (third largest) and three retromarginal teeth of similar size. Legs light brown mottled dark brown, base of femora lighter (Fig. 1A, B). Leg length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): I – 3.9+ 1.6 + 3.2 + 2.8 + 1.2 = 12.7, II – 3.1 + 1.5 + 2.4 + 2.3 + 1.0 = 10.3, III – 1.1 + 0.9 + 1.4 + 1.0 + 0.6 = 5.0, IV – 1.8 + 0.9 + 1.5 + 1.8 + 0.8 = 6.8. Labium 0.47 long, 0.35 wide, light brown; maxillae light brown, both beige anteriorly (Fig. 1B). Sternum 1.3 long, 1.0 wide, light brown with smooth darker radial shading (Fig. 1B). Abdomen 3.5 long, 3.6 wide, triangular with two conspicuous and pointed shoulder humps; dorsum with pale beige background, large olive-grey patch in cardiac area and irregular folium with olive-grey spots, laterally pale beige with dark streaks (Fig. 1A); venter same background colour as dorsum and with sparse guanine spots (Fig. 1B). Pedipalp (Figs 1C–E, 2A–D) length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + cymbium = total length): 0.6 + 0.4 + 0.2 + 1.0 = 2.2; paracymbium strong, hook-like and curved apically; median apophysis C-shaped, terminating in an acute tip, central protrusion small; radix strong; terminal apophysis elongated, membranous and lanceolate, bearing a large, sclerotised, round projection, ending in an acute tip; conductor large, round and laterally projected, bearing a hook-like apical protuberance and an elongated basal protrusion tapering to a bifid tip; basal conductor lobe inconspicuous; embolus prominent, elongate, heavily sclerotised with a curved tip.

Female (based on WAM T77221): Total length 5.6. Carapace 2.5 long, 2.4 wide; beige, cephalic area light brown (Fig. 3A). Eye diameter AME 0.11, ALE 0.10, PME 0.09, PLE 0.09; row of eyes: AME 0.46, PME 0.38, PLE 1.23. Chelicerae beige, with four promarginal teeth (apical and third largest) and three retromarginal teeth of similar size. Legs beige, patellae and tibiae apically slightly darker (Fig. 3A, B). Pedipalp length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + tarsus = total length): 0.6 + 0.4 + 0.4 + 1.2 = 2.6. Leg length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): I – 2.9 + 1.4 + 2.4 + 2.3 + 1.1 = 10.1, II – 2.4 +1.1 + 2.1 + 2.1 + 0.9 = 8.6, III – 1.4 + 0.9 + 1.0 + 1.0 + 0.8 = 5.1, IV – 1.8 + 1.0 + 1.5 + 1.7 + 1.0 = 7.0. Labium 0.25 long, 0.60 wide, beige; maxillae beige (Fig. 3B). Sternum 1.5 long, 1.2 wide, beige (Fig. 3B). Abdomen 3.5 long, 3.2 wide; dorsum of same colour background as male but almost completely covered greyish, laterally grey (Fig. 3A); venter grey with a few guanine spots (Fig. 3B). Epigyne base oval, wider than long, with wide lateral borders, atrium convex, barely visible in ventral view (Fig. 3C); central division narrow, baso-lateral flaps present (Figs 3E, 4A); scape elongate-triangular extending over the posterior epigyne border, basally broadly rounded and slightly wrinkled, almost straight in lateral view, tip flattened without terminal pocket (Fig. 3C, D); spermathecae elongate-ovoid, copulatory ducts sinuous and terminating at base of scape (Fig. 4A, B).

Figure 4. 

Kangaraneus gen. nov. female epigynes, cleared. A. K. arenaceus (Keyserling, 1886) comb. nov., ventral view (WAM T77221); B. K. arenaceus (Keyserling, 1886) comb. nov., dorsal view (WAM T77221); C. K. amblycyphus (Simon, 1908) comb. nov., ventral view (AM KS.131276); D. K. amblycyphus (Simon, 1908) comb. nov., dorsal view (AM KS. 131276); E. K. farhani sp. nov. ventral view (AM KS.131278); F. K. farhani sp. nov., dorsal view (AM KS. 131278). Scale bars: 0.2 mm.

Males total length 4.5–6.7 (n = 6); females total length 5.6–8.7 (n = 6). The colouration of K. arenaceus comb. nov. males can vary considerably, with some specimens having a dark brown carapace and a black abdomen with a large white patch in the cardiac area (Fig. 5A). Examined females are less variable in colouration. Both males and females may have a pair of white spots ventrally on the abdomen, a character mentioned in the original description (see Keyserling 1886) (Fig. 5B, C).

Figure 5. 

Kangaraneus arenaceus (Keyserling, 1886) comb. nov., variations. A. Male dorsal habitus (WAM T64598); B. Paralectotype male ventral abdomen (NHM 1890.7.1.4137); C. Lectotype female ventral abdomen (NHM 1890.7.1.4138).

The syntypes of Epeira arenacea Keyserling, 1886 are deposited at the ZMH and NHM. A female paralectotype (NHM 1890.7.1.4139) was misidentified by Keysersing (1886); this is K. amblycyphus comb. nov. To unequivocally fix the species-group name of K. arenaceus comb. nov., we here designate a female collected in Sydney (NHM 1890.7.1.4138) as the lectotype of the species. We do not consider the specimens from Peak Downs (Queensland) at the ZMH syntypes of K. arenaceus comb. nov. as Keyserling’s type locality is “Sydney. Museum Godeffroy”.

Specimens of K. arenaceus comb. nov. have mainly been found from October to January, with only a few specimens collected in the colder months like June and August. Therefore, the species seems to be largely spring to early summer mature.

Habitat descriptions on the collection labels include “cypress and brigalow” and “in low bush”. Two labels indicated that the species falls prey to wasps (“in wasp nest” and “mud dauber wasp nest”).

Kangaraneus arenaceus comb. nov. has been found in eastern New South Wales and Queensland, the Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island in South Australia, Victoria and south-western Western Australia (Fig. 12).

Lectotype of Araneus amblycyphus Simon, 1908 (designated here): 1 female Busselton (33°38'S, 115°20'E, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA) (MNHN 13309), examined. Paralectotype: 1 juvenile, same locality (ZMB 13485), examined.

AUSTRALIA – Australian Capital Territory • 1 female, Corin Dam, 57 km W of Canberra, 35°34'S, 148°50'E (AM KS.32942); New South Wales • 1 female, Brooklana, W of Dorrigo, 30°16'S, 152°51'E (AM KS.34050); • 1 male, Hornsby, Waitara Creek, 33°42'S, 151°05'E (AM KS.91125); • 1 female, same data (AM KS.91105); • 1 female, Howes Valley, 32°51'S, 150°51'E (AM KS.34043); • 1 male, Jamberoo Mountain, 34°40'S, 150°43'E (AM KS.54098); • 2 females, Scheyville, 33°36'S, 150°53'E (AM KS.98752); • 1 female, same data (AM KS.131276); • 1 female, Sydney, 33°53'S, 151°13'E (NHM 1890.7.1.4139; paralectotype of K. arenaceus comb. nov.); • 1 female, 3 juveniles, Wilson River Flora Reserve, Bellangry State Forest, 31°18'S, 152°29'E (AM KS.9666); Queensland • 1 female, Braemar State Forest, 27°13'S, 150°50'E (QM); • 1 male, same locality (QM); • 1 male, 6 juveniles, same locality (QM); • 1 female, 1 juvenile, Camira, 27°38'S, 152°55'E (QM S2462); • 5 females, same locality (QM); • 2 males, Malanda, SW, Lot 2, Meragallan Road, 17°25'S, 145°32'E (AM KS.86086); • 1 male, same data (AM KS.131277); • 1 male, Mt Lewis, 16°35'S, 145°17'E (QM); • 1 male, Mulgowie, 27°43'S, 152°22'E (QM); • 1 female, Tweed River, 28°18'S, 153°27'E (AM KS.32649); South Australia • 2 females, Dudley Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island, 35°48'S, 137°51'E, (SAM); Victoria • 1 female, German Creek, near Bright, 36°43'S, 147°02'E (QM); • 2 females, Snobs Creek, 37°15'S, 145°52'E (MV K-9440). Western Australia: • 2 males, 5 females, Stirling Range National Park, Moingup Spring, 34°24'S, 118°06'E (WAM T74424).

Male K. amblycyphus comb. nov. can be distinguished from those of the very similar K. arenaceus comb. nov. by the double central protrusion on the median apophysis, the bubble-shaped terminal apophysis, and the shorter and thicker basal protrusion of the conductor with a lamellar apical protuberance (Figs 6A–E, 7A–D). Females of K. amblycyphus comb. nov. can be differentiated from those of other Kangaraneus gen. nov. species by the epigyne scape not entirely covering the atrium (Fig. 8A, C).

Figure 6. 

Kangaraneus amblycyphus (Simon, 1908) comb. nov., male (AM KS.131277). A. Dorsal habitus; B. Ventral habitus; C. Left pedipalp, ventral view; D. Left pedipalp, retrolateral view; E. Left pedipalp, dorsal view. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B); 0.2 mm (C–E). Arrow points to the conductor basal protrusion.

Figure 7. 

Kangaraneus amblycyphus (Simon, 1908) comb. nov., male expanded left pedipalp (AM KS.131277). A. Ventral view; B. Retrolateral view; C. Dorsal view; D. Apical view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.

Figure 8. 

Kangaraneus amblycyphus (Simon, 1908) comb. nov., female, (AM KS.131276). A. Dorsal habitus; B. Ventral habitus; C. Epigyne, ventral view; D. Epigyne, lateral view; E. Epigyne, posterior view. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B); 0.2 mm (C–E).

Male (based on AM KS.131277). Total length 5.8. Carapace 2.6 long, 2.4 wide, light brown, anteriorly darker (Fig. 6A). Eye diameter AME 0.12, ALE 0.11, PME 0.15, PLE 0.13; row of eyes: AME 0.54, PME 0.46, PLE 1.0. Chelicerae light brown, basally mottled dark brown; with four promarginal teeth (second from base largest) and three retromarginal teeth of similar size. Legs light brown, mottled in dark brown mainly on femora (Fig. 6A, B). Leg length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): I – 2.9 + 1.4 + 2.9 + 2.2 + 1.2 = 10.6, II – 1.9 + 1.2 + 2.3 + 1.8 + 1.1 = 8.3, III – 1.0 + 0.9 + 1.2 + 1.0 + 0.8 = 4.9, IV – 1.6 + 1.1 + 1.5 + 1.4 + 0.8 = 6.4. Labium 0.30 long, 0.43 wide, yellowish brown; maxillae yellowish brown (Fig. 6B). Sternum 1.0 long, 0.9 wide, light brown with black radial shading (Fig. 6B). Abdomen 2.8 long, 2.8 wide, oval with inconspicuous shoulder humps; dorsum with beige background and large olive-grey, irregular folium bordered anteriorly and posteriorly by brown bands, laterally beige with dark streaks (Fig. 6A); venter olive-grey, laterally with two pale bands (Fig. 6B). Pedipalp (Figs 6C–E, 7A–D) length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + cymbium = total length): 0.7+ 0.2 + 0.3 + 1.1 = 2.3; paracymbium short, hook-like and slightly curved apically; median apophysis C-shaped, terminating in an acute tip, central protrusion accompanied by smaller bulge apically; radix comparatively slim; terminal apophysis elongate, slightly inflated and bubble-shaped, terminating in an acute spine-like tip; basal conductor lobe large; conductor prominent, bearing a strong protrusion tapering to a bifid tip; embolus short and elongate, heavily sclerotised with its tip curved apically.

Female (based on AM KS.131276): Total length 5.8. Carapace 2.7 long, 2.6 wide; dark brown, (Fig. 8A). Eye diameter AME 0.09, ALE 0.08, PME 0.10, PLE 0.07; row of eyes: AME 0.46, PME 0.41, PLE 1.15. Chelicerae dark brown, four promarginal teeth (second basal largest) and three retromarginal teeth of similar size. Legs brown with yellowish setae (Fig. 8A, B). Pedipalp length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + tarsus = total length): 0.9 + 0.5 + 0.7 + 0.8 = 2.9. Leg length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): I – 3.4 + 1.5 + 2.8 + 2.2 + 1.0 = 10.9, II – 3.4 + 1.4 + 2.7 + 2.2 + 1.1 = 10.8, III – 1.7 + 0.9 + 1.4 + 1.0 + 0.7 = 5.7, IV – 2.4 + 1.1 + 1.5 + 1.4 + 0.8 = 7.2. Labium 0.22 long, 0.49 wide, beige; maxillae beige (Fig. 8B). Sternum 1.3 long, 1.2 wide, dark brown, with yellow streaks (Fig. 8B). Abdomen 3.9 long, 5.4 wide; dorsum with two conspicuous shoulder humps, uniformly beige with indistinct darker line between humeral humps (Fig. 8A); venter dark olive grey (Fig. 8B). Epigyne base almost circular, slightly wider than long, with large and elevated borders (Fig. 8C); central division narrow (Fig. 8E); scape elongate, longer than the epigyne base, with broad wrinkled base (Fig. 8C, D); spermathecae oval, almost as long as half of the epigyne length, copulatory ducts C-shaped and heavily sclerotised, copulatory openings near the base of scape (Fig. 4C, D).

Males total length 3.2–5.8 (n = 4); females total length 3.5–6.0 (n = 7). There was little colour variation in male K. amblycyphus comb. nov. Some female specimens had a large white patch completely covering the ventral part of abdomen and/or a rounded white patch in the cardiac area, similar to males of K. arenaceus comb. nov. and K. farhani sp. nov.

There are only two syntypes for this species, one female deposited in Paris (MNHN 13309) and a juvenile deposited in Berlin (ZMB 13485), both from the type-locality of Busselton (Western Australia). We here designate the female as the lectotype of this species as the juvenile cannot be unequivocally identified and may be K. arenaceus comb. nov., which also occurs in Western Australia.

Mature specimens of K. amblycyphus comb. nov. were mainly collected between September and December with few specimens collected in February and April; the species therefore appears to be spring to early summer mature.

Habitat descriptions on the labels include “cypress and brigalow” and “Callitrus”; the species was also found in a “wasp nest”.

The distribution of K. amblycyphus comb. nov. is very similar to that of K. arenaceus comb. nov. although it has been found much further north in Queensland. It occurs in all Australian states except Northern Territory and Tasmania (Fig. 12).

Holotype male, Frankston (38°09'S, 145°08'E, Victoria, Australia), 25 September 1947 (MV K-9854).

AUSTRALIA – Australian Capital Territory • 2 females, Corin Dam, 35 km W Canberra, 35°34'S, 148°50'E (AM KS.33511). New South Wales • 1 female, Barrington Tops, 32°01'S, 151°29'E (MV K-9814); • 2 males, Jamberoo Mountain, 34°40'S, 150°43'E (AM KS.54090, KS.56902); • 2 females, same locality (AM KS.54096, KS.56898); • 1 female, Jenolan Caves, 33°49'S, 150°01'E (AM KS.32648); • 2 females, New England National Park, 30°29'S, 152°30'E (QM); • 1 female, Newnes State Forest, Sunnyside Road, 1.6 km from Blackfellows Hand Road, 33°22'S, 150°11'E (AM KS.93211). South Australia • 1 female, Mylor, 35°03'S, 138°46'E (SAM); • 1 female, Ravine des Casoars, Kangaroo Island, 35°48'S, 136°45'E (SAM). Tasmania • 1 female, King Island, 39°53'S, 143°54'E (MV K-9468); • 3 females, Launceston, 41°27'S, 147°10'E (AM KS.28590); • 1 female, same locality (AM KS.28697); • 1 male, 2 females, same locality (AM KS.28545); • 1 female, same locality (AM KS.131278); • 1 female, Lees Paddocks, 41°50'S, 146°06'E (QVMAG 13:0529); • 2 females, Lilydale, 41°15'S, 147°13'E (AM KS.8524); • 1 female, Maggs Mountain, 41°44'S, 146°10'E (QVMAG 13:0634); • 1 female, Picton area, 43°09'S, 146°38'E (MV K-10379); • 1 male, Ringarooma River, Gladstone, 40°57'S 148°01'E (QM S90595); • 1 female, Risdon, 42°49'S, 147°19'E (AM KS.28839); • 1 female, 2 juveniles, Southport, 43°25'S, 146°58'E (AM KS.28870); • 1 female, Stanley, 1 Ford St, 40°46'S, 145°17'E (QVMAG 13:0582); • 1 female, same locality (QVMAG 13:0584); • 1 female, Strahan, 42°09'S, 145°19'E (AM KS.34086). Victoria • 1 female, no exact locality (MV K-10377); • 1 female, Camberwell, 37°50'S, 145°4'E (MV K-10375); • 2 females, Frankston, 38°09'S, 145°08'E (MV K-10378); • 1 female, Macclesfield, 37°53'S, 145°29'E (MV K-10376); • 3 females, Narracan, 38°15'S, 146°13'E (MV K-10374).

The specific name is a patronymic in honour of Farhan Bokhari, a colleague at the Harry Butler Institute (Murdoch University).

Male K. farhani sp. nov. can be distinguished from the other two species of the genus by the central protrusion of the median apophysis being much longer, somewhat blade-like and heavily sclerotised (Figs 9C, D, 10A, B). Females can be differentiated from the other two Kangaraneus gen. nov. species by the truncated tip of the epigyne scape (tapering in the other two species) (Fig. 11D–F). Kangaraneus farhani sp. nov. is the only species in which females were found with a broken off scape exposing a distinct, shallowly V-shaped posterior edge of the atrium (Fig. 10C).

Figure 9. 

Kangaraneus farhani sp. nov., male holotype (MV K-9854). A. Dorsal habitus; B. Ventral habitus; C. Left pedipalp, ventral view; D. Left pedipalp, retrolateral view; E. Left pedipalp, dorsal view. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B); 0.2 mm (C–E).

Figure 10. 

Kangaraneus farhani sp. nov., male expanded right pedipalp (AM KS.56902). A. Ventral view; B. Retrolateral view; C. Dorsal view; D. Apical view. Scale bars: 0.2 mm.

Figure 11. 

Kangaraneus farhani sp. nov., female. A. Dorsal habitus (AM KS.54096); B. Ventral habitus (AM KS.54096); C. Broken epigyne, ventral view (AM KS.54096); D. Epigyne, with scape, ventral view (AM KS. 131278); E. Epigyne, lateral view (AM KS.131278); F. Epigyne posterior view (AM KS. 131278). Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B); 0.2 mm (C–F).

Male (based on holotype MV K-9854). Total length 5.8. Carapace 3.6 long, 3.1 wide, light brown, slightly lighter in cephalic area (Fig. 9A). Eye diameter AME 0.23, ALE 0.18, PME 0.18, PLE 0.16; row of eyes: AME 0.64, PME 0.43, PLE 1.17. Chelicerae light brown, basally mottled dark; with three promarginal teeth (median largest) and two retromarginal teeth of similar size. Legs light brown, patched in beige on the base of femur (Fig. 9A, B). Leg length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): I – 3.9 + 1.3 + 2.6 + 2.9 + 1.2 = 11.9, II – 3.7 + 1.3 + 3.2 + 2.2 + 1.0 = 11.4, III – 2.2 + 0.8 + 1.6 + 1.0 + 0.5 = 6.1, IV – 3.2 + 0.7 + 1.8 + 2.0 + 1.0 = 8.7. Labium 0.39 long, 0.52 wide, light brown; maxillae light brown (Fig. 9B). Sternum 1.6 long, 1.2 wide, light brown with black contour (Fig. 9B). Abdomen 3.1 long, 3.1 wide, with conspicuous humeral humps; dorsum olive-grey, with short, pale longitudinal patch anteriorly and a dark, heart-shaped patch posteriorly, demarcated by a pale line (Fig. 9A); venter olive-brown with irregular light streaks (Fig. 9B). Pedipalp (Figs 9C–E, 10A–D) length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + cymbium = total length): 0.7+ 0.4 + 0.6 + 1.3 = 3.0; paracymbium strong and hook-like, curved apically; median apophysis C-shaped, tapering to an acute tip, central protrusion elongate, heavily sclerotised; radix canoe-shaped; terminal apophysis elongate, lanceolate, tapering to an acute tip; basal conductor lobe conspicuous, heavily sclerotised; conductor triangular, bearing a membranous apical protuberance and a short basal protrusion with a bifid tip; embolus heavily sclerotised with its tip curved apically.

Female (based on AM KS.54096): Total length 10.4. Carapace 3.7 long, 3.6 wide; colouration as in male (Fig. 11A). Eye diameter AME 0.13, ALE 0.11, PME 0.12, PLE 0.10; row of eyes: AME 0.51, PME 0.43, PLE 1.28. Chelicerae brown, four promarginal teeth (apical and third largest) and three retromarginal teeth of similar size. Legs light brown with covered in setae (Fig. 11A, B). Pedipalp length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + tarsus = total length): 1.3 + 0.5 + 0.8 + 1.7 = 4.3. Leg length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): I – 4.4 + 2.0 + 3.8 + 3.0 + 1.7 = 14.9, II – 3.9 + 1.8 + 3.3 + 2.6 + 1.4 = 13.0, III – 2.5 + 1.1 + 1.6 + 1.5 + 1.0 = 7.7, IV – 3.8 + 1.3 + 2.2 + 2.3 + 1.2 = 10.8. Labium 0.56 long, 0.89 wide, light brown; maxillae light brown (Fig. 11B). Sternum 2.0 long, 1.8 wide, colouration as in male (Fig. 11B). Abdomen 7.9 long, 6.7 wide; dorsum with two conspicuous humeral humps, golden brown with brown band between humeral humps (Fig. 11A); venter olive-grey with indistinct pale lateral bands (Fig. 11B). Epigyne base rounded, wider than long, with large and elevated borders including a V-shaped posterior rim (Fig. 11C, D); atrium convex (Fig. 11C, E, F); central division wide (Fig. 11F); scape slightly longer than wide, longer than the epigyne base, with rounded bulged base, apically truncated (Fig. 11D, E); spermathecae oval, located basally on the genital plate, copulatory ducts short (Fig. 4E, F).

Males total length 5.6–5.8 (n = 2); females total length 6.3–10.4 (n = 8). Males display similar colour variations to K. arenaceus comb. nov. with one specimen having a large white patch in the cardiac area. Females do not display much colour variation, but half had the epigyne scape broken off.

Mature specimens of K. farhani sp. nov. were collected between July and early December, except for one female collected in February. The species therefore seems to be largely winter- to spring mature.

Kangaraneus farhani sp. nov. generally appears to build its web low in grass, with original labels reading “among grass in garden”, “garden”, “orb-web near ground”, “in grass at side of creek”.

Kangaraneus farhani sp. nov. occurs in south-eastern mainland Australia (Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria) and Tasmania (Fig. 12).

Figure 12. 

Distribution records of Kangaraneus comb. nov. species.