Kochosa timwintoni sp. nov.

(Figs 27, 28A–E, 29A–D)

Holotype. Male, West Mt Barren (34º13'S 119º26'E, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA), R. J. McKay, 15 July 1970, on sand (WAM T86692).

Etymology. The specific epithet is a patronym honouring the Western Australian author Tim Winton for his ongoing environmental advocacy (i.e., Winton 2008). His novels have given the senior author hours of pleasure and time of reflection.

Other material examined (4 males, 6 females). Australia. Western Australia: 1 male, West Mt Barren, 34º13'S 119º26'E (WAM 71 /499) ; 2 females, same locality (WAM 71 /856–7); 1 female (WAM 70 /209), same locality; 2 males, same locality (WAM T86693); 3 females, same locality (WAM70 /246a–c) .

Diagnosis. Males of K. timwintoni sp. nov. can be easily separated from other species of Kochosa gen. nov. by the unique light brown to yellow, broad base of the embolus (Fig. 28C, E). They are most similar to those of K. westralia sp. nov., but in addition to the embolus, the first species has a triangular and pointing retrolaterally basoembolic apophysis, whereas it is broad and round in K. westralia sp. nov. (Figs 28E vs 31E). The epigyne of female K. timwintoni sp. nov. has a distinct median septum similar to K. obelix sp. nov. and K. westralia sp. nov., but the posterior transverse part is much broader, so that the median septum forms and inverted “T” (Figs 29C vs 19D, 32C).

Description.

Male ( based on holotype, WAM T86692) .

Cephalothorax. Dorsally dark brown; indistinctly lighter medially (Fig. 28A); broad lateral bands with white setae (Fig. 28A); Sternum dark shiny brown (Fig. 28B).

Abdomen. Dorsally dark olive-grey; cardiac mark continuous, but almost dissolved into two spots (Fig. 28A). Venter uniformly olive-grey (Fig. 28B).

Pedipalps (Figs 28C–E). Cymbium comparatively broad; embolic division almost entirely exposed; tegular apophysis reduced, shark-tooth-shaped; basoembolic apophysis somewhat duckbill-shaped, pointing retrolatrally (Fig. 28E); embolus with light brown base, apically stout.

Legs. Dark brown, with light annulations; spination of leg I: femur: 3 dorsal (apical one small), 1 apicoprolateral; tibia: 3 ventral pairs, 1 prolateral; metatarsus: 3 ventral pairs, 1 apicoventral, 2 prolateral, 1 apicoprolateral, 1 retrolateral, 1 apicoretrolateral.

Measurements. TL 3.91, CL 2.34, CW 1.64. Eyes: AME 0.09, ALE 0.08, PME 0.26, PLE 0.21. Row of eyes: AE 0.47, PME 0.70, PLE 0.86. Sternum (length/width) 0.98/0.86. Labium (length/width) 0.19/0.30. AL 1.72, AW 1.56. Legs: Length of segments (femur + patella/tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): Pedipalp 0.81+0.56+- +0.81=2.19, I 1.53+1.63+1.28+0.86=5.30; II 1.35+1.72+1.40+0.81=5.28, III 1.40+1.63+1.21+0.70=4.93; IV 1.93 +2.12+2.02+0.91=6.98.

Variation. Size (range, mean ± s.d.): TL 3.91–4.40, 4.07 ± 0.22; CL 2.30–2.70, 2.44 ± 0.18; CW 1.64–2.00, 1.81 ± 0.15, n = 4. There is little colour variation between the males examined here except for somewhat lighter legs in one specimen.

Female (based on WAM 70/246a; epigyne dorsal WAM 70/246b).

Cephalothorax and abdomen. Colouration and setae-arrangement generally as male, but light median and lateral carapace bands less distinct (Fig. 29A, B).

Epigyne (Fig. 29C, D). Ventral view: median septum inverted T-shaped (Fig. 29C); dorsal view (based on WAM 70/246b): spermathecal heads spherical, comparatively large, spermathecal stalks basally curved (Fig. 29D).

Legs. Light brown with dark annulations; spination of leg I: femur: 3 dorsal; tibia: 3 ventral pairs, 1 prolateral; metatarsus: 3 ventral pairs and 1 apicoventral, 2 prolateral; 1 apicoprolateral; 1 retrolateral; 1 apicoretrolateral.

Measurements. TL 5.50, CL 2.55, CW 1.70. Eyes:AME 0.11, ALE 0.09, PME 0.25, PLE 0.23. Row of eyes: AE 0.67, PME 0.85, PLE 1.16. Sternum (length/width) 1.00/0.90. Labium (length/width) 0.40/0.47. AL 2.60, AW 2.30. Pedipalp 0.75+0.77+-+0.75=2.27, I 1.61+1.75+1.10+0.65=5.10, II 1.45+1.66+1.05+0.65=4.81, III 1.25+1.71+1.26 +0.65=4.76, IV 2.05+2.01+2.01+0.75=6.82.

Variation. Size (range, mean ± s.d.): TL 5.32–5.62, 5.46 ± 0.13; CL 2.50–2.55, 2.50 ± 0.08; CW 1.70–1.95, 1.81 ± 0.10, n = 4. The females of K. timwintoni sp. nov. are generally poorly preserved and it is therefore difficult to assess any colour variation.

Life history and habitat preferences. Males and females of K. timwintoni sp. nov. were found in July and August suggesting reproductive activity in winter. The habitat preferences appear unusual, as specimens were found “on sand” or “on sand plain”, in contrast to most other species of Kochosa gen. nov. which appear to prefer forests or woodland.

Distribution. Only know from the type locality, West Mt Barren, Western Australia (Fig. 27).