Tapetosa, a new monotypic wolf spider genus from Western Australia (Araneae: Lycosidae: Lycosinae)

WA Museum Records and Supplements | Updated 7 years ago

ABSTRACT – A new monotypic Australian wolf spider genus, Tapetosa, with T. darwini as type species, is described for the ‘Carpet Wolf Spider’, which is known from granite outcrops in the southeastern Wheatbelt of Western Australia. Tapetosa belongs to the lycosid subfamily Lycosinae, but has a unique somatic morphology amongst wolf spiders, which is characterised by a dorso-ventrally flattened cephalothorax and abdomen associated with the spiders inhabiting narrow crevices under the granite sheets of rocky outcrops. The central tarsal claw is reduced and covered by extended scopulate setae probably facilitating movement on solid rocky surfaces. The tegulum of the male pedipalp carries a unique retrolateral protrusion.