Corresponding author: Michael G. Rix (
Academic editor: M. Kuntner
The Assassin Spiders of the family
Once considered among the most enigmatic and poorly known of spider families, recent research into the assassin spiders of the family
The history of the discovery and documentation of
The current paper – the second in a series revising the
All taxa were described and illustrated from specimens stored in 75% or 95% ethanol. Digital images were taken using a Leica MZ16A binocular microscope and a Leica DM2500 compound microscope, with auto-montage images captured using Leica DFC500 mounted cameras with Leica Application Suite Version 3.6.0 software. Male left pedipalps were dissected prior to imaging and bulbs were aligned for standardised comparison in the retrolateral and prolateral positions illustrated; expanded pedipalps were illustrated in a retro-ventral position. Female genitalia were dissected and cleared in a 10% lactic acid plus 90% glycerol solution, prior to mounting on temporary glass slides. Illustrations were made on Utoplex tracing paper, using printed template auto-montage images. Maps were generated using ArcMap version 9.3.1 (ESRI Inc.) with Virtual Earth (Microsoft Corp.).
Measurements are in millimetres (rounded to the nearest hundredth of a millimetre) and were taken using an ocular graticule on a Leica M80 binocular microscope. Left legs were removed from specimens prior to taking measurements and imaging lateral body profiles. Lateral profile images were standardised for inter-specific comparison by vertically aligning the centre of each left anterior median eye with the lower anterior margin of the carapace (above the labrum) (
Specimens sequenced for the molecular analysis of
Anterior median eye/s
Conductor sclerites 1–2
Carapace height (CH) to carapace length (CL) ratio
Femur I length (F1) to carapace length (CL) ratio
Highest point of pars cephalica
Abdominal hump-like tubercles 1–6
Posterior median eye/s
Tegular sclerites 1–3
American Museum of Natural History, New York (N. Platnick, L. Sorkin)
Australian Museum, Sydney (G. Milledge)
California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco (C. Griswold, A. Carmichael)
Museum Victoria, Melbourne (P. Lillywhite)
Queensland Museum, Brisbane (R. Raven, O. Seeman)
South Australian Museum, Adelaide (L. Chisholm)
Western Australian Museum, Perth (MSH, J. Waldock)
The generic name is derived from the Latin ‘zephyrus’, meaning ‘west wind’ (
Species of
Small, haplogyne, araneomorph spiders; total length 2.5 to 4.5.
As noted by
Species of
Two described species –
The genus
Note that males of
1 | Males | 2 |
– | Females | 9 |
2 | Abdomen with six pronounced dorsal hump-like tubercles (HT 1–6), in three pairs, HT 3–6 each with small dorsal sclerite posterior to dorsal scute ( |
3 |
– | Abdomen spherical, or nearly so, without pronounced hump-like tubercles and without additional sclerites posterior to dorsal scute ( |
4 |
3 | Tegular sclerite 1 (TS 1) with flattened, rounded apex ( |
|
– | Tegular sclerite 1 (TS 1) with more tapered, spiniform apex ( |
|
4 | Chelicerae with proximal bulging projection bearing tuft or brush of accessory setae ( |
5 |
– | Chelicerae without tuft of accessory setae on proximal bulging projection ( |
8 |
5 | Tegular sclerites 2–3 (TS 2–3) not projecting beyond retro-distal margin of tegulum ( |
6 |
– | Tegular sclerites 2–3 (TS 2–3) projecting well beyond retro-distal margin of tegulum ( |
7 |
6 | Anterior margin of diastema adjacent to ‘neck’ almost straight, only slightly concave in lateral view ( |
|
– | Anterior margin of diastema adjacent to ‘neck’ curved, strongly concave in lateral view ( |
|
7 | Proximal bulging projection on chelicerae strongly protuberant ( |
|
– | Proximal bulging projection on chelicerae indistinct, only slightly protuberant ( |
|
8 | Conductor sclerite 2 (C2) relatively slender, with sinuous, S-shaped proximal portion ( |
|
– | Conductor sclerite 2 (C2) without sinuous, S-shaped proximal portion ( |
|
9 | Abdomen with six pronounced dorsal hump-like tubercles (HT 1–6), in three pairs ( |
10 |
– | Abdomen spherical, or nearly so, without pronounced dorsal hump-like tubercles ( |
11 |
10 | ‘Head’ not strongly elevated dorsally, post-ocular ratio < 0.25 ( |
|
– | ‘Head’ more strongly elevated dorsally, post-ocular ratio ≥ 0.25 ( |
|
11 | Carapace with strongly concave post-ocular depression in lateral view ( |
12 |
– | Carapace with shallow post-ocular depression in lateral view ( |
14 |
12 | Body size small, carapace length < 1.10 ( |
|
– | Body size larger, carapace length > 1.10 ( |
13 |
13 | ‘Head’ not strongly elevated dorsally, post-ocular ratio < 0.25 ( |
|
– | ‘Head’ more strongly elevated dorsally, post-ocular ratio ≥ 0.25 ( |
|
14 | Carapace relatively short, CH/CL ratio < 1.70 ( |
|
– | Carapace taller, CH/CL ratio > 1.70 ( |
15 |
15 | Anterior margin of diastema adjacent to ‘neck’ straight, almost perpendicular in lateral view ( |
|
– | Anterior margin of diastema adjacent to ‘neck’ slightly curved, concave in lateral view ( |
Albany Assassin Spider
Holotype male. Torndirrup National Park (probably near end of Eclipse Island Road), Western Australia, Australia, pitfall trap, 1–6.VI.1983, P. Dyer, J. Lyon (WAM T17683).
Paratypes. Allotype female, same data as holotype except 3–8.X.1983 (WAM T17684).
This species can also be distinguished from other genotyped taxa (see
Thisspecies is listed as
Karri Forest Assassin Spider
Holotype male: Karri Valley, ‘Karri Valley Hideaway Cottages’, off Hopgarden Road, west of Pemberton, Western Australia, Australia,
Paratypes: Allotype female, same data as holotype (WAM T118981).
The specific epithet is a patronym in honour of Dr Janine Wojcieszek, for helping to discover the first live specimens of this species in 2006, and therefore catalysing the Western Australian Museum’s ‘archaeid project’ in the half decade since 2007.
This species can also be distinguished from other genotyped taxa (see
This specieshas a relatively widespread distribution in several National Parks and State Forests, and is not considered to be of conservation concern.
Cape Le Grand Assassin Spider
Holotype male: Cape Le Grand National Park, Thistle Cove, Western Australia, Australia,
Paratypes: 1 male and 1 juvenile, same data as holotype (WAM T114033DNA: CLG-146-J).
The specific epithet is a patronym in honour of Mark Wojcieszek, for helping to discover the first specimens of this species at Cape Le Grand National Park in 2009.
This species can also be distinguished from other genotyped taxa (see
This species appears to be a rare short-range endemic taxon (
Eastern Massif Assassin Spider
Holotype female: Stirling Range National Park, Ellen Peak, Western Australia, Australia,
Females of
This species can also be distinguished from other genotyped taxa (see
This species is a short-range endemic taxon (
Toolbrunup Assassin Spider
Holotype male: Stirling Range National Park, Mount Hassell, Western Australia, Australia,
Paratypes: Allotype female and 1 juvenile, Toolbrunup Peak,
The specific epithet is a patronym in honour of Dr Melinda Moir, in recognition of her contributions to biodiversity research, especially in the Stirling Range National Park of southern Western Australia.
This species can also be distinguished from other genotyped taxa (see
This species is a short-range endemic taxon (
Talyuberlup Assassin Spider
Paratypes: Allotype female and 2 juveniles, same data as holotype except 8.II.2009, M. Harvey (WAM T97466DNA: TA-156-J/TA-157-J).
The specific epithet is a patronym in honour of Sarah Barrett, for first discovering assassin spiders in the Stirling Range National Park in 1996.
This species is a short-range endemic taxon (
In the absence of adult specimens or molecular data, the following juvenile specimens from Western Australia could not be confidently identified as a known species.
These specimens are the first
Holotype juvenile (not examined): no specific locality, Victoria, Australia, ~1922 (MV K097).
Based on the three known Victorian specimens identified by Butler as
Central Highlands Assassin Spider
Holotype male: Yarra Ranges National Park, Acheron Gap, Victoria, Australia,
Paratypes: Allotype female, same data as holotype (MV K11579); 1 female and 6 juveniles, same data as holotype (WAM T112583DNA: Ar14–49-F/Ar14–133-J/Ar14–134-J).
The specific epithet is a patronym in honour of the late Professor Victor Hickman, for his extraordinary contributions to arachnology and in honour of L. S. Butler’s original (1929) patronym.
This species can also be distinguished from other genotyped taxa (see
This species has an imperfectly known distribution, and although potentially restricted, the abundance of protected forested habitats near the type locality would suggest that the species is unlikely to be of conservation concern.
West Gippsland Assassin Spider
Holotype male: Tarra-Bulga National Park, Tarra Valley, near Tarra Valley Picnic Area, Victoria, Australia,
Paratypes: Allotype female, Gunyah Rainforest State Reserve, Toorah Road, 2 km SSW. of Gunyah, Victoria, Australia,
The specific epithet is a patronym in honour of Dr Māra Blosfelds, in recognition of her love for small spiders and the Australian forests.
This species can also be distinguished from other genotyped taxa (see
This specieshas a relatively widespread distribution in several National Parks and State Forests, and is not considered to be of conservation concern.
Otway Range Assassin Spider
Holotype male: Bimbi Park, 2.2 km N. of Cape Otway Lighthouse, Victoria, Australia,
The specific epithet is a patronym in honour of Dr Nicholas Porch, for first discovering this species in the Otway Range.
This species has an imperfectly known distribution, and although potentially restricted, the abundance of protected forested habitats near the type locality would suggest that the species is unlikely to be of conservation concern.
Grampians Assassin Spider
Holotype female: Grampians National Park, Delley’s Dell, Silverband Road, Victoria, Australia, sweeping at night, 26.III.1974, M. Gray (AMS KS109448).
The specific epithet is a patronym in honour of Dr Mike Gray, for his contributions to arachnology and for first discovering this species in the Grampians National Park.
Females of
This species appears to be a rare short-range endemic taxon (
Kangaroo Island Assassin Spider
Holotype female: Kangaroo Island, Western River Wilderness Protection Area, Waterfall Creek walking trail, near waterfall, South Australia, Australia,
The specific epithet is a patronym in honour of Professor Andy Austin, in recognition of his contributions to biodiversity research.
Females of
This species can also be distinguished from other genotyped taxa (see
This species appears to be a rare short-range endemic taxon (
This research was made possible by an Australian Biological Resources Study (ABRS) taxonomy research grant to M. Harvey and M. Rix (Grant No. 209-09), with critical initial support provided by Roy Teale (Biota Environmental Sciences) and significant additional funding provided by Cliffs Natural Resources and Verve Energy. Specimens of
Habitus images of live
Map showing the known distribution of
Phylogeny of
Diagnostic characters of
Carapace morphology of
Abdominal morphology of
Graphs depicting the relationship between carapace length (CL) and carapace height (CH) for species of
Lateral ‘head’ profiles of males of species of
Lateral ‘head’ profiles of females of species of