Kochosa erratum sp. nov.

(Figs 12A–E, 13)

Holotype. Male, 7 km NE Mt Bluffkin (22º35′46″S 149º14′10″E, Queensland, AUSTRALIA), G. & S. Monteith, 16 December 1999 – 22 March 2000, pitfall trap (QM S57812).

Etymology. The specific epithet is a Latin noun in apposition meaning error. It refers to the fact that we initially included the specimens of this species in K. australia sp. nov. due to their similar male genital morphology.

Other material examined. 2 males, 7 km NE Mt Bluffkin, 22º35'46''S 149º14'10''E (QM S57772) .

Diagnosis. Males of K. erratum sp. nov. are most similar to those of K. confusa sp. nov. due to the exposed, arching base of the embolus and the sperm duct that is visible through the tegulum forming a closed loop (Figs 10C, 12C). Male K. erratum sp. nov. differ from K. confusa sp. nov. by details in the embolic division of the pedipalp, specifically the longer embolus and the presence of a sclerotised retrolateral edge (Fig. 10E vs 12E). The female of K. erratum sp. nov. is not known.

Description.

Male ( based on holotype, QM S57812) .

Cephalothorax. Dorsally dark brown; median light brown band narrowing posteriorly, lateral flanks marked by indistinct broad patches of white setae (Fig. 12A). Sternum dark brown (Fig. 12B).

Abdomen. Dorsally olive-grey, cardiac mark continuous (Fig. 12A); venter light brown, centrally somewhat darker (Fig. 12B).

Pedipalps (Fig. 12C–E). Basoembolic apophysis reduced; tegular apophysis broad, transparent; embolus basally arched, then long and thin, strongly curved specifically apically (Fig. 12E).

Legs. Brown; tibia and metatarsi I and II with distinct white setae prolaterally; spination of leg I: femur: 2 dorsal, 2 apicoprolateral; tibia: 3 ventral pairs, 1 apicoventral; metatarsus: 3 ventral pairs.

Measurements. TL 4.11, CL 2.48, CW 1.52. Eyes: AME 0.05, ALE 0.09, PME 0.22, PLE 0.18. Row of eyes: AE 0.67, PME 0.59, PLE 0.77. Sternum (length/width) 1.15/0.94. Labium (length/width) 0.40/0.36. AL 1.85, AW 1.30. Legs: Length of segments (femur + patella/tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): Pedipalp 0.85+0.55+- +0.85=2.25, I 1.50+2.00+1.20+0.80=5.50, II 1.45+1.80+1.10+0.75=5.10, III 1.35+1.50+1.20+0.65=4.70, IV 1.85 +2.30+2.00+0.95=7.10.

Variation. Size (range, mean ± s.d.): TL 3.70–4.11, 4.03 ± 0.31; CL 2.15–2.48, 2.27 ± 0.18; CW 0.80–1.52, 1.21 ± 0.40, n = 3. The two other males examined, also from the type locality, are somewhat lighter than the holotype illustrated here and lack the distinct white prolateral setae on tibiae and metatarsi I and II.

Female. Unknown.

Life history and habitat preferences. The males of K. erratum sp. nov. have been found in pitfall traps from October to March. There was no habitat information on the collection labels with the specimens.

Distribution. Kochosa erratum sp. nov. is only known from the type locality, Mt Bluffkin, in central east Queensland (Fig. 13).