Australian Journal of
Taxonomy
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Habronestes baehrae
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Figure 1. Holotype male Habronestes baehrae (A-B) habitus (A) dorsal (B) ventral; (C) metatarsus I, depicting short conical spines; (D-F) pedipalp sequence, prolateral to retrolateral. Scale bar (A) = 2mm.

Amongst members of the Habronestes pictus species-group, H. baehrae is most like H. jocquei Baehr, 2003 and H. hickmani Baehr & Raven, 2009. Distinguishable from forementioned species by the combination of a sharply pointed retrolateral extension of the LTA, the dorsal abdominal patterning, and form of the tibial apophyses.

Holotype male (QMS___). Measurements: TL 5.62. CL 2.93, CW 1.91; AL 2.60, AW 1.50. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.14, ALE 0.13, PME 0.12, PLE 0.15; AME-AME 0.03, AME-ALE 0.03, ALE-PLE 0.04, PLE-PME 0.12, PME-PME 0.07; AERW 0.32, PERW 0.40. Cephalothorax black, asetose, fovea reduced to small longitudinal line, eye group confined to anterior edge. Chilum undivided. Chelicerae brown, setose. Sternum brown, scutiform. Labium triangular, tan. Maxillae tan, inner anterior edge with dark serrula. Abdomen dorsally black with two pairs of white spots medially, and three white spots aligned above the spinnerets; ventrally black (Fig. 1A-B); laterally with 2 pairs of slanted white ovoid patches. Legs spinose, strong distoventral preening comb on the ventral surface of metatarsi II-III; short conical spines present on the ventral surface of tibia and metatarsus I, most abundant on tibia; ventral tarsal spines present on all legs. Palp (Figs 1D-F). RCF prominent, ¾ of the cymbium length. Cymbium with strong apical spines, and many smaller conical spinules all over. LTA thinly incised, dorsal plate and apical portion of lower plate form retrodistally directed hook (Fig. 1E). Embolus emerges proximally from bulging embolic base, terminates at apical edge of tegulum (Figs 1D-E). DTA emerges from behind VTA, flattened proximally, apical portion curled around embolic apex and with many small spicules (Fig. 1E). VTA sickle shaped (Fig. 1E). Tibia short, with retrolateral bulge in ventral aspect (Fig. 1E); tibia apophyses dorsally directed, VTiA divided into two processes, dorsal process triangular, ventral process rounded; DTiA triangular (Fig. 1F).

Female. Unknown.

Material Examined. Holotype male: Queensland: 1♂, Mango Hill, Mercury Parade 27°14'49.8"S 153°02'10.7"E, ex. urban garden leaf litter, 2nd of February 2020, E. Yeoman. Other material examined: Queensland: 6 ♂♂, Mango Hill, Mercury Parade, 27°14'49.5"S 153°02'10.9"E, ex. urban garden pitfall trap, 1st-26th of October 2021, E. Yeoman.

Figure 1. Holotype male Habronestes baehrae (A-B) habitus (A) dorsal (B) ventral; (C) metatarsus I, depicting short conical spines; (D-F) pedipalp sequence, prolateral to retrolateral. Scale bar (A) = 2mm.

Etymology. After Dr. Barbara Baehr, for her extensive contributions to zodariid taxonomy in Australia.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality.