Key to the genera of Artoriinae in Australia

Male Artoriinae differ from those of the other three Australian subfamilies of wolf spiders, Lycosinae, Venoniinae and Zoicinae by the presence of a basoembolic apophysis in the male pedipalp (Framenau 2007). There is no character or character combination currently known that unequivocally identifies females to be part of the subfamily. However, Artoriinae lack the elongated basal segment of the posteriors spinnerets of the Venoniinae (i.e., Yoo & Framenau 2006, Framenau 2006a) and are larger than the members of the Zoicinae which are less than 2 mm long (i.e., McKay 1979). Artoriinae generally differ from the Lycosinae by smaller size (but sizes overlap) and the presence of a light, lanceolate median cardiac mark on the abdomen, whereas Lycosinae are much more varied in the abdominal colouration. In Australia, most Artoriinae are vagrant, often diurnal hunters, whereas most Lycosinae live in burrows and are nocturnal.

1. Tegular apophysis of the male pedipalp a more or less basally bent, short hook (Fig. 2A), epigyne with two anterior lobes (Fig. 2B), an open cavity with anterior notch (Fig 2C) or as in Figs 2D–E; all species with a beige to light brown basic colouration although some body parts can be darker (Figs 1C–D); all species in genus halophile (salt lakes and pans, samphire, coastal, Artesian springs)............................................................................. Tetralycosa

- Tegular apophysis of variable shape, if with terminal hook (e.g., Fig. 3D), base longer; epigyne without two anterior lobes and not as in Figs 2B–E; not halophile........................................................................ 2

2. Row of anterior eyes narrower than row of posterior median eyes (Fig. 2F)....................................... 3

- Row of anterior eyes as wide or wider than row of posterior median eyes (Fig. 2G)................................. 5

3. Abdomen generally uniformly dark with a very distinct light cardiac mark (sometimes reduced to two distinct spots) that is surrounded posteriorly by dark margin increasing the contrast of the cardiac mark (Figs 1G, H, 2H, I).... Kochosa gen. nov.

- Light cardiac mark of abdomen not as distinct and not surrounded by dark margin/long setae posteriorly................ 4

4. Carapace with distinct light lateral bands that reach to the carapace margin; abdomen often with light cardiac mark that separates a central, generally diamond-shaped black spot into two triangles and a posterior rectangular or subtriangular pale patch (Figs 1B, 3A), or abdomen uniformly dark olive-grey with an irregular light median band along its whole length (Fig. 3B).................................................................................................. Artoriopsis

- Carapace without lateral light bands, but generally with an irregular light submarginal band (i.e., there is a dark edge along the carapace margin) (Fig. 3C); abdomen with a yellow to yellow-brown cardiac mark, sometimes indistinct, but never with central diamond shaped spot or without irregular light median band along its whole length (Figs 1A, 3C)................ Artoria

5. Tegular apophysis a long hook (Fig. 3D); atrium of female epigyne broader anteriorly than posteriorly, without median septum (Fig. 3G, H) or as in Fig. 3I ..................................................................... Kangarosa

- Tegular apophysis not hook-shaped (Fig. 3E, F); female epigyne as in Figs 3J–L ............................ Diahogna