AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: holotype male, Millstream-Chichester National Park, 6 km N. of Millstream Homestead, site PW11, 21°32'24.8"S, 117°03'25.2"E, 15 July 2003−11 October 2004, wet pitfall trap, Department of CALM staff (WAM T97323). Paratypes: 2 males, same data as holotype, except Corunna Downs, 52.5 km N. of Nullagine, Pilbara Biological Survey site NW11, 21°24'27.7"S, 120°04'16.7"E, 3 August 2003−20 October 2004, Department of CALM staff (WAM T120931).

The specific epithet is a patronym in honour of Melissa Thomas, the third author’s partner, for her continuing support of late-night arachnological endeavours.

Males of Missulena melissae sp. n. differ from the two other species with a brown body colour, strongly-sclerotised rastellum with thick spines, smooth and glabrous chelicerae with prominent horizontal ridges and short claws (i.e. Missulena faulderi and Missulena rutraspina) by details of the bulb and somatic morphology: embolus short and with a distal tooth (exceeding length of the bulb and without distal tooth in Missulena faulderi), carapace length ca. 4 cm (3.5 cm in Missulena rutraspina), patella I-III with rasps (patella III only in Missulena faulderi), rastellum on a low mound (mound distinct in Missulena faulderi), inner row of cheliceral teeth divided (first six teeth fused in Missulena faulderi), and pedipalp patella and tibia swollen (much more slender in Missulena faulderi). Males of Missulena rutraspina differ in having a simple embolus tip without processes, a straight embolus, rasps on patella III only, rastellum on a distinct mound, inner row of cheliceral teeth with six spaced teeth, and pedipalp tibia and patella more slender. The female of Missulena melissae sp. n. is unknown.

Adult male, based on holotype (WAM T97323). Medium-sized mygalomorph spider (total length 8.00).

Colour: carapace (Fig. 1A) dark reddish-brown, margins dark brown; eye region (Fig. 2B) dark brown, anterior median eyes on black tubercle; chelicerae (Fig. 3I) dark reddish-brown, fangs reddish-brown; abdomen (Fig. 1A) pale brown with a grey metallic spot in dorsal region; sternum (Fig. 3H) yellowish-brown, margins contoured dark yellowish-brown, sigillae yellowish-brown; labium (Fig. 3G) and maxillae (Fig. 3C) dark reddish-brown; legs (Figs 1A, 3A–B) yellowish brown, tarsi and metatarsi ventrally yellow; spinnerets (Fig. 3J) pale gray, spigots white.

Carapace: 3.81 long, 4.0 wide; clypeus 0.13; fovea 2.18; caput and eye region (Fig. 2A–C) laterally elevated, strongly arched; fovea (Fig. 2A, C) very deep, wide and strongly procurved, medially extending as triangular depression, pars cephalica smooth around the eyes and between the eyes and fovea, pars thoracica rugose with bands of fine, random fissures centered around fovea (Fig. 2C).

Eyes: OQ 3.61 times wider than long, occupying 1.12 of cephalic width; OAW 3.54; OAL 2.68; IPF 0.40; width of anterior eye group 2.95, with of posterior group 2.36, OQ length 0.81; PME 0.19; PLE 0.22; ALE 0.26; AME 0.22, AME on tubercle, 0.27 long, 0.62 wide; AME inter-distance 0.65; AME to ALE 1; AME to PME 0.40; PLE to ALE 0.55; PLE to PME 0.41; PME inter-distance 1.41; PME to ALE 0.55; eye region (Fig. 2B) with reduced setation although some setae present anterior to AME and between posterior eyes and fovea.

Chelicerae: 2.95 long, 1.54 wide; distally broad, diagonal, slightly conical; edges smoothly rounded; with weak transverse ridges which distally extend over entire length (Fig. 3I), without setae in area of transverse ridges but with ca. 60 short setae along inner margin of chelicera; rastellum developed, slightly pronounced, consisting of a sclerotised process with 3 strong conical spines and 12−14 disordered setae (Fig. 3I), 12−13 long setae extend forward from anterior margin of each chelicera and cover base of fang, setae largest on latero-ventral side; inner margin of cheliceral furrow with 3 rows of teeth (Fig. 3E); prolateral (inner) row with ca. 12 teeth, 3 proximal teeth fused together and the rest spaced; intermediate row with 9 proximal, spaced teeth; retrolateral (outer) row with 3 proximal, spaced teeth.

Maxillae: 1.86 long; 1.31 wide, longer than wide (Fig. 3C, D), with ca. 57 pointed cuspules along entire anterior margin, distally pointed and extended into a prominent heel.

Labium: 1.04 long, 0.77 wide; conical, ca. 20 pointed cuspules anteriorly (Fig. 3G); labiosternal suture developed as a shallow groove; a pair of sigilla near labiosternal suture (Fig. 3H), developed as irregular, poorly-defined patches.

Sternum: 2.27 long, 2.09 wide; oval and rebordered (Fig. 3H), with prominent setae, arranged irregularly but denser lateral to labium; 4 pairs of sigillae, anterior and second pair (anterior-posterior) smallest and poorly defined, third pair bigger than 2 anterior pairs and poorly defined, and posterior pair bigger than all others, roughly oval and well defined, 3 posterior sigillae slightly depressed.

Abdomen: 4 long, 3.54 wide; roughly oval (Fig. 3F); 4 spinnerets (Fig. 3J), PLS 0.72 long, 0.45 wide, apical segment domed; PMS 0.40 long, 0.13 wide.

Pedipalp: length of trochanter 0.85, femur 2.11, patella 0.33, tibia 0.66, tarsus 0.18; entire palp is aspinose, femur more than 3 times longer than tibia, tarsus terminally blunt (Fig. 2F); bulb pyriform and rather stout than globular (Fig. 2G, I−J), 2 strongly sclerotised sections connected by a velar median structure (“haematodocha”, Fig. 2G, I); bulb strongly twisted proventrally (Fig. 2I); embolus short, with an intumescence in proximal region (BEI), a strong curvature in the duct in prolateral view, tapering and slightly twisted medially (Fig. 2I, J); embolus tip triangular, with a lamella (EL) well-developed and a prominent tooth (DET) in all views (Fig. 2G–J).

Legs: with few brown setae, ventral setae of tibiae and metatarsi generally much longer and thicker than dorsal setae and bent towards the exterior; dorsal, lateral and ventral setae of tibiae and metatarsi longer than the diameter of respective segment; preening comb distal in tarsi, very small and plain; metatarsi and tarsi I and II ascopulate, metatarsi and tarsi III and IV densely scopulate but in metatarsi, the length of scopula reaches only 80% of the segment length. Metatarsi I and II with ca. 23, 33 fine ventral setae distally, respectively. Leg measurements: Leg I: femur 2.37, patella 2.00, tibia 2.00, metatarsus 2.00, tarsus 1.00, total 9.37. Leg II: 2.25, 1.87, 1.62, 2.12, 1.00, 8.87. Leg III: 2.5, 1.62, 1.5, 2.37, 1.00, 9.00. Leg IV: 3.25, 1.62, 2.00, 2.25, 1.37, 10.5. Formula 4123.

Trichobothria: arranged in discontinuous rows; tibiae I–II with 2 rows of 2 in retrodorsal and prodorsal position, respectively; tibiae III with 2 rows of 2 in retrolatero-dorsal and proximo-prodorsal position, respectively; tibiae IV with 2 rows, the first row with 2 in retrolatero-dorsal and the second row with 3 in proximolateral position; metatarsi with 5 in proximo-dorsal position, tarsi I+II with 4 and 6 medio-dorsally, respectively, III+IV with 5 and 6 medio-dorsally, respectively, all trichobothria in medio-dorsal position.

Leg spination: pedipalp aspinose; leg I: tibia rv0−0−0, v3−3−7, pv1−2−0, d0−0−0; metatarsus rv2−1−1, v2−3−5, pv0−0−0, d0−0−0; tarsus rv1−4−3, v2−7−3, pv2−2−2, d0−0−0; leg II: tibia rv0−0−0, v0−0−0, pv0−1−0, d0−0−0; metatarsus rv0−0−0, v0−0−0, pv0−0−0, d0−0−0; tarsus rv3−5−4, v1−2−2, pv1−3−2, d0−0−0; leg III: tibia rv0−0−0, v0−3−2, pv2−2−2, d2−1−3; metatarsus rv2−2−3, v0−0−0, pv3−3−4, d8−4−2; tarsus rv3−5−4, v0−0−1, pv1−3−4, d0−2−2; leg IV: tibia rv0−2−0, v2−4−4, pv1−1−2, d3−0−0; metatarsus rv1−3−2, v0−0−0, pv1−3−4, d0−0−1; tarsus rv4−9−13, v0−0−1, pv1−4−6, d0−0−2; patellae I and II with ca. 53 and 35 rasps, in 8 and 6 oblique rows prolatero-dorsally, respectively; patella III with ca. 59 rasps widespread in dorsal view (Fig. 4B); patella IV with 19 rasps, in 8 and 6 oblique rows prolatero-dorsally, median rows shorter than lateral rows and with less spines, distal spines forming an interrupted crown of spines in the border of the article (Fig. 4B).

Tarsal claws: leg I: 5−4/1; leg II: 6−6/1; leg III: 5−4/1; leg IV: 3−3/1; claws slightly shorter than spines of tarsi.

Variation in paratypes (N=2): total length 6.72−7.36; carapace 3.45 long, 3.90−4.36 wide; number of labial cuspules 14−16, maxillary cuspules 48−67; rastellum with 1−4 thick and conical spines.

This species is known from the type locality Millstream-Chichester National Park and Corunna Downs in the Pilbara biogeographic region of Western Australia (Fig. 4).

All specimens were collected in pitfall traps. The collecting sites were dominated by Acacia spp., with one site having a eucalypt over-storey (McKenzie et al. 2009).

AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: holotype male, Digger Rocks, 89.1 km SE. of Hyden (site DR10), 32°43'58"S, 119°44'03"E, 30 November 2006, dry pitfall trap, D. Kamien (WAM T92331). Paratypes: 4 males, same data as holotype (WAM T92332, T92333, T92334, T92336); 1 male, Exclamation Lake (site SG09B), 32°42'26"S, 121°29'31"E, 23−29 April 2002, dry pitfall trap, R. Teale, G. Harold, A. Sanders and P. Higgs (WAM T45910).

The specific epithet is a Latin adjective referring to the swollen metatarsi IV of males (pinguis, fat; pes, foot).

Males of Missulena pinguipes sp. n. differ from all other named species of the genus, except Missulena mainae sp. n. by the swollen metatarsus IV (Fig. 6K). They differ from Missulena mainae sp. n. by the brown carapace and chelicerae, which are red in the latter. Females of Missulena pinguipes sp. n. are unknown.

Adult male, based on holotype (WAM T92331). Medium-sized mygalomorph spider (total length 5.00).

Colour: carapace (Fig. 5A, C) dark reddish-brown, margins dark brown; eye region (Fig. 5B) dark brown, anterior median eyes on black tubercle; chelicerae (Fig. 6I) dark reddish-brown, fangs reddish-brown; abdomen (Fig. 1B, 6F) iridescent blue with light blue longitudinal streaks; sternum (Fig. 6H) yellowish-brown, margins contoured dark yellowish-brown, sigillae yellowish-brown; labium and maxillae dark yellowish-brown (Fig. 6C, G); legs (Fig. 1B) yellowish-brown, tarsi and metatarsi ventrally yellow; spinnerets (Fig. 6J) pale gray, spigots white.

Carapace: 2.25 long, 2.37 wide; clypeus 0.17; fovea 0.71; caput and eye region (Fig. 5A) laterally elevated, strongly arched; fovea (Fig. 5C) very deep and strongly procurved, medially extending as triangular depression (Fig. 5C), pars cephalica with few granulations around the eyes and between the eyes and fovea, pars thoracica rugose with bands of fine, random fissures centered around fovea (Fig. 5C).

Eyes: OQ 3.5 times wider than long, occupying 0.83 of cephalic width; OAW 1.97; OAL 1.42; IPF 0.74; width of anterior eye group 1.35, with of posterior group 1.17, OQ length 0.38; PME 0.1; PLE 0.1; ALE 0.08; AME 0.1, AME on tubercle, 0.31 long, 0.41 wide; AME inter-distance 0.1; AME to ALE 0.47; AME to PME 0.11; PLE to ALE 0.22; PLE to PME 0.2; PME inter-distance 0.65; PME to ALE 0.27; eye region (Fig. 5B) with reduced setation although some setae present anterior to AME, between lateral eyes and between posterior eyes and fovea.

Chelicerae: 1.57 long, 0.82 wide; distally broad, diagonal, slightly conical; edges smoothly rounded; with weak transverse ridges which distally extend over entire length (Fig. 6I), without setae in area of transverse ridges but with ca. 30 setae along inner margin of chelicera; rastellum developed, pronounced, consisting of a sclerotised process with 9 strong conical spines and 18−22 disordered setae (Fig. 5D), 9 long setae extend forward from anterior margin of each chelicera and cover base of fang, setae largest on latero-ventral side; inner margin of cheliceral furrow with 3 rows of teeth (Fig. 6E); prolateral (inner) row with ca. 6 teeth, all teeth spaced; intermediate row with 3 proximal, spaced teeth; retrolateral (outer) row with 3 proximal, spaced teeth; with 1 distal tooth.

Maxillae: 0.91 long; 0.71 wide, almost square (Fig. 6C, D), ca. 64 pointed cuspules along entire anterior margin, distally pointed and extended into a prominent heel.

Labium: 0.51 long, 0.45 wide; conical, ca. 17 pointed cuspules anteriorly (Fig. 6G); labiosternal suture developed as a shallow groove; a pair of sigilla near labiosternal suture (Fig. 6H), developed as irregular, poorly-defined patches.

Sternum: 1.37 long, 1.48 wide; oval and rebordered (Fig. 6H), with prominent setae, arranged irregularly but denser lateral to labium; 4 pairs of sigillae, anterior and second pair (anterior-posterior) smallest but well defined, third pair bigger than 2 anterior pairs and well defined, and posterior pair bigger than all others, roughly oval but not well defined, all sigillae slightly depressed.

Abdomen: 2.28 long, 2.00 wide; roughly oval (Fig. 6F); 4 spinnerets (Fig. 6J), PLS 0.85 long, 0.37 wide, apical segment domed; PMS 0.31 long, 0.14 wide.

Pedipalp: length of trochanter 0.74, femur 1.62, patella 0.92, tibia 1.51, tarsus 0.55; entire palp is aspinose, femur longer than tibia, tarsus terminally blunt (Fig. 5F); bulb pyriform and rather stout than globular (Fig. 5G−J), 2 strongly sclerotised sections connected by a velar median structure (“haematodocha”); bulb strongly twisted proventrally (Fig. 5G, I); embolus short, tapering and slightly twisted medially (Fig. 5H, J); embolus tip triangular, with a lamella well-developed (EL) and a very small tooth (DET) in ventral view (Fig. 5H, J).

Legs: with few brown setae, ventral setae of tibiae and metatarsi generally much longer and thicker than dorsal setae and bent towards the exterior; dorsal, lateral and ventral setae of tibiae and metatarsi longer than the diameter of respective segment; preening comb distal in tarsi, very small and plain; metatarsi I, II and III ascopulate; metatarsus IV swollen with dense scopula ventrally across entire length (Fig. 6K); tarsi I, II, III and IV ascopulate but with ca. 33, 24, 21, 17 fine ventral setae distally, respectively. Leg measurements: Leg I: femur 2.11, patella 1.03, tibia 1.51, metatarsus 1.44, tarsus 0.85, total 6.96. Leg II: 1.81, 0.96, 1.07, 1.33, 0.85, 6.03. Leg III: 1.74, 0.92, 1.14, 1.22, 0.77, 5.81. Leg IV: 1.85, 1.00, 1.25, 1.29, 0.74, 6.14. Formula 4123.

Trichobothria: arranged in discontinuous rows; tibiae I–II with 1 row of 3 in retrolateral and dorsal position, respectively; tibiae III-IV with 2 rows of 4−5 in dorsal position, first row situated prodorsally and second row situated retrodorsally; metatarsi with 2 in medio-dorsal position, tarsi I+II with 2, III+IV with 3, all trichobothria in medio-dorsal position.

Leg spination: pedipalp aspinose; leg I: tibia rv0−0−0, v3−3−7, pv0−0−0, d0−0−0; metatarsus rv2−1−1, v2−3−5, pv0−0−0, d0−0−0; tarsus rv1−1−1, v1−3−2, pv0−0−0, d0−0−0; leg II: tibia rv0−0−0, v3−3−4, pv0−0−0, d0−0−0; metatarsus rv0−1−0, v3−2−3, pv0−1−0, d0−0−0; tarsus rv0−2−0, v0−3−0, pv0−2−0, d0−0−0; leg III: tibia rv1−1−1, v2−2−5, pv0−0−1, d0−0−4; metatarsus rv0−2−0, v2−5−4, pv0−1−0, d0−0−3; tarsus rv0−2−1, v1−3−3, pv0−0−1, d0−0−2; leg IV: tibia rv0−0−0, v3−5−4, pv0, d1−0−2; metatarsus rv2−3−1, v0−0−0, pv3−4−3, d0−1−2; tarsus rv1−2−1, v1−5−3, pv0, d0−0−2; patellae I, II without rasps and spines (Fig. 6A), patella III with ca. 26 rasps in 8 oblique rows dorsally, median rows shorter than lateral rows and with less spines, distal spines forming a interrupted crown of spines in the border of the article (Fig. 6B); patella IV with 6 rasps retrolaterally and 12 thick and short spines dorsally.

Tarsal claws: leg I: 3−2/2; leg II: 3−4/2; leg III: 4−3/2; leg IV: 1−2/ 0−1; claws slightly shorter than spines of tarsi.

Variation in paratypes (N=5): total length 4.00−5.00; carapace 1.77−2.37 long, 2.37−2.6 wide; number of labial cuspules 15−30, maxillary cuspules 40−66; rastellum with 6–11 thick and conical spines.

This species is known only from the Mallee biogeographic region of southern Western Australia (Fig. 4).

The specimens were collected in pitfall traps in woodland habitats in either April or November.

AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: holotype male, Nanga Station, site NA3, 26°31'20.9"S, 114°00'08.3"E, 12 May−3 August 1995, pitfall trap, N. Hall (WAM T96784). Paratype: 1 male, Mardathuna Station, site MR2, 24°26'35.7"S, 114°30'41.5"E, 25 May−26 August 1995, pitfall trap, N. Hall (WAM T96785).

The specific epithet is a patronym in honour of the second author’s daughter, Leni Elise Harms.

Males of Missulena leniae sp. n. differ from other small species (carapace < 4 mm) without red colouration on chelicerae and carapace by the weak rastellum without conical spines (elevated and with conical spines in Missulena faulderi, Missulena melissae and Missulena rutraspina), the presence of granulations on carapace and chelicerae (except Missulena pinguipes and Missulena torbayensis), the presence of long setae on the chelicerae (absent in Missulena faulderi, Missulena melissae and Missulena rutraspina), patella III with rasps (all patellae in Missulena torbayensis), pars cephalica dark brown (black in Missulena dipsaca) and abdomen with metallic blue lines (lacking in Missulena dipsaca). Females of Missulena leniae sp. n. are unknown.

Adult male, based on holotype (WAM T96784). Medium-sized mygalomorph spider (total length 6.81).

Colour: carapace (Figs 1C, 7A, C) dark reddish-brown, margins dark brown; eye region (Fig. 7B) dark reddish-brown, anterior median eyes on black tubercle; chelicerae (Fig. 8I) dark reddish-brown, fangs reddish-brown; abdomen (Fig. 8F) pale grey with few light blue longitudinal streaks; sternum (Fig. 8H) yellowish-brown, margins contoured dark yellowish-brown, sigillae yellowish-brown; labium and maxillae dark red-yellowish-brown (Fig. 8C, G); legs (Fig. 1C) yellowish-brown, tarsi and metatarsi ventrally pale yellowish-brown; spinnerets (Fig. 8J) pale gray, spigots white.

Carapace: 2.63 long, 3.18 wide; clypeus 0.15; fovea 1.06; caput and eye region (Fig. 7B) laterally elevated, strongly arched; fovea (Fig. 7C) very deep and strongly procurved, medially extending as a very deep triangular depression; carapace with numerous large granulations, widespread over carapace and dorsally on chelicerae; weaker on pars thoracica, with bands of fine, random fissures centered around fovea (Fig. 7C).

Eyes: OQ 2.89 times wider than long, occupying 1.34 of cephalic width; OAW 2.4; OAL 1.62; IPF 0.91; width of anterior eye group 1.57, with of posterior group 1.45, OQ length 0.54; PME 0.14; PLE 0.14; ALE 0.20; AME 0.16, AME on tubercle, 0.31 long, 0.59 wide; AME inter-distance 0.11; AME to ALE 0.40; AME to PME 0.14; PLE to ALE 0.20; PLE to PME 0.25; PME inter-distance 0.77; PME to ALE 0.22; eye region (Fig. 7B) with reduced setation although some setae present anterior to AME, anterior ALE and between posterior eyes and fovea.

Chelicerae: 2.04 long, 0.95 wide; distally broad, diagonal, slightly conical; edges smoothly rounded; with transverse ridges which distally extend over entire length and many strong granulations widespread in dorsal view (Fig. 8I), with ca. 22 long setae widespread in inner area of transverse ridges and with more than 70 short setae along inner margin of chelicera; rastellum (Fig. 7D) poorly developed, weakly pronounced, consisting of a sclerotised process with 2 strong conical spines and 9−10 disordered setae, 9 long setae extend forward from anterior margin of each chelicera and cover base of fang, setae largest on latero-ventral side; inner margin of cheliceral furrow with 3 rows of teeth (Fig. 8E); prolateral (inner) row with ca. 9 teeth, all teeth spaced; intermediate row with 4 proximal, spaced teeth; retrolateral (outer) row with 3 proximal, spaced teeth.

Maxillae: 1.25 long; 0.93 wide, longer than wide (Fig. 8C, D), ca. 86 pointed cuspules along entire anterior margin, distally pointed and extended into a prominent heel.

Labium: 0.63 long, 0.61 wide; conical, ca. 12 pointed cuspules anteriorly (Fig. 8G); labiosternal suture developed as a shallow groove; a pair of sigilla near labiosternal suture (Fig. 8H), developed as irregular, very small and poorly-defined patches.

Sternum: 1.95 long, 1.72 wide; oval and rebordered (Fig. 8H), with prominent setae, arranged irregularly but denser lateral to labium; 4 pairs of sigillae, anterior pair very small, irregular and undefined; second pair (anterior-posterior) smallest but well defined; third pair bigger than 2 anterior pairs and well defined; and posterior pair bigger than all others, roughly oval but not well defined; 3 posterior sigillae slightly depressed.

Abdomen: 3.31 long, 3.04 wide; roughly oval (Fig. 8F); 4 spinnerets (Fig. 8J), PLS 1.22 long, 0.40 wide, apical segment domed; PMS 0.29 long, 0.15 wide.

Pedipalp: length of trochanter 0.75, femur 2.54, patella 1.09, tibia 1.90, tarsus 0.81; entire palp is aspinose, femur longer than tibia, tarsus terminally blunt (Fig. 7F); bulb pyriform and rather stout than globular (Fig. 7G, I−J), 2 strongly sclerotised sections connected by a velar median structure (“haematodocha”); bulb strongly twisted proventrally (Fig. 7G, I); embolus short, strong, tapering and slightly twisted medially (Fig. 7H, J); embolus tip triangular in prolateral/retrolateral views and subquadrate in ventral view, with a small lamella (EL) and without tooth in ventral view, duct straight in proximal embolus (Fig. 7H, I).

Legs: with few brown setae, ventral setae of tibiae and metatarsi generally much longer and thicker than dorsal setae and bent towards the exterior; dorsal, lateral and ventral setae of tibiae and metatarsi longer than the diameter of respective segment; preening comb distal in tarsi, very small and plain; metatarsi I and II ascopulate; metatarsi III and IV with a weak scopula occupying 75% of segment length; tarsi I and II ascopulate, tarsi III and IV with a weak scopula along entire length; metatarsi I and II with ca. 57 and 47 fine ventral setae distally, respectively. Leg measurements: Leg I: femur 3.14, patella 1.33, tibia 1.81, metatarsus 2, tarsus 1.22, total 9.51. Leg II: 2.66, 1.33, 1.77, 1.88, 1.22, 8.88. Leg III: 2.85, 1.40, 1.74, 1.96, 1.29, 9.25. Leg IV: 3.14, 1.33, 2.03, 2.03, 1.37, 9.92. Formula 4123.

Trichobothria: arranged in discontinuous rows; tibiae I–III with 2 rows of 2 in prodorsal position and 3 in retrodorsal position, respectively; tibiae IV with 7 widespread in dorsal position; metatarsi with 3 in proximo-dorsal position; tarsi I-IV with 3, all trichobothria in a row in medio-dorsal position.

Leg spination: pedipalp aspinose; leg I: tibia rv0−0−2, v2−3−3, pv0−0−0, d0−0−0; metatarsus rv0−2−1, v2−2−3, pv0−0−0, d0−0−0; tarsus rv0−1−1, v2−4−3, pv0−0−0, d0−0−0; leg II: tibia rv0−0−2, v2−3−3, pv0−0−0, d0−0−0; metatarsus rv0−1−2, v0−4−3, pv0−0−0, d0−0−0; tarsus rv0−2−0, v3−2−4, pv0−0−0, d0−0−0; leg III: tibia rv0−0−3, v0−2−7, pv0−0−2, d2−0−10; metatarsus rv1−1−2, v0−0−0, pv1−1−1, d1−1−3; tarsus rv1−3−2, v0−1−2, pv0−0−0, d0−1−2; leg IV: tibia rv0−0−0, v3−3−4, pv0−0−1, d1−1−2; metatarsus rv1−1−2, v0−0−0, pv1−2−3, d0−0−0; tarsus rv2−6−6, v1−3−2, pv0−0−0, d0−0−2; patellae I with ca. 7 rasps in 3 proximal oblique rows dorsally, patellae II with 1 rasp (Fig. 8A), patella III with ca. 16 rasps and 4 spines in 8 oblique rows dorsally, median rows shorter than lateral rows and with less rasps/spines, distal rasps/spines forming a interrupted crown of rasps/spines in the border of the article (Fig. 8B); patella IV with 4 rasps retrolaterally and 8 thick and short spines prodorsally.

Tarsal claws: leg I: 6−5/3; leg II: 4−5/3; leg III: 3−2/1; leg IV: 2−2/1; claws slightly shorter than spines of tarsi.

Variation in paratype (N=1): total length 4.90; carapace 2.63 long, 2.54 wide; number of labial cuspules 58−70, maxillary cuspules 14; rastellum with 4−4 thick and conical spines.

This species is currently known from two sites located in the Carnarvon and Yalgoo biogeographic regions of Western Australia (Fig. 4).

The two specimens were collected in pitfall traps between May and August. They were listed as Missulena sp. 4 in a survey of mygalomorph spiders of the southern Carnarvon Basin by Main et al. (2000). The two sites are dominated by Banksia and eucalypt mallee woodland (site NA3), or Acacia aneura (site MR2) over stable but sandy substrates (Burbidge et al. 2000, Appendix A; Wyrwoll et al. 2000).

AUSTRALIA: Western Australia: holotype male, Cape Cuvier, Quobba Station, site CU6, 24°08'20.4"S, 113°26'43.9"E, 31 May−25 August 1995, pitfall trap (WAM T96782). Paratypes: 2 males, Cape Cuvier, Quobba Station, site CU5, 24°11'34.0"S, 113°27'17.4"E, 27 September−2 October 1994, dry pitfall trap, P. West et al. (WAM T96781); 3 males, same data, 29 May−25 August 1995, N. Hall (WAM T96783).

This species is named in honour of Barbara York Main in recognition of her substantial contributions to arachnology. She also was the first to recognize this taxon as a distinctive new species (Main et al. 2000).

Males of Missulena mainae sp. n. differ from all other species by the uniformly red dorsal coloration of the carapace (pars cephalica and thoracica red; Figs 2D, 10C). Males share with Missulena pinguipes sp. n. the presence of a swollen metatarsus IV, but the character is less pronounced in Missulena mainae (Fig. 10K).

Adult male, based on holotype (WAM T96782). Medium-sized mygalomorph spider (total length 7.90).

Colour: carapace (Fig. 9C) pale red, margins pale red; eye region (Fig. 9B) pale red, anterior median eyes on black tubercle; chelicerae (Fig. 10I) pale red, fangs dark red; abdomen (Fig. 10F) pale grey with little spots of blue and light gray longitudinal streaks; sternum (Fig. 10H) pale red, margins contoured pale brown, sigillae pale red and spots pale brown; labium (Fig. 10G) and maxillae pale red; legs (Fig. 1D) brown, coxae and trochanter pale brown; spinnerets (Fig. 10J) pale gray, spigots white.

Carapace: 2.59 long, 2.77 wide; clypeus 0.09; fovea 0.75; caput and eye region (Fig. 9A) laterally elevated, strongly arched in a rectangular form; fovea (Fig. 9C) very deep and strongly procurved, medially extending as triangular depression, pars cephalica with few granulations around the eyes, behind the eyes and between the eyes and fovea, pars thoracica with bands of fine, random fissures centered around fovea (Fig. 9C).

Eyes: OQ 3.06 times wider than long, occupying 1.26 of cephalic width; OAW 2.20; OAL 1.65; IPF 0.80; width of anterior eye group 1.40, with of posterior group 1.25, OQ length 0.45; PME 0.10; PLE 0.13; ALE 0.11; AME 0.16, AME on tubercle, 0.24 long, 0.42 wide; AME inter-distance 0.07; AME to ALE 0.44; AME to PME 0.22; PLE to ALE 0.17; PLE to PME 0.13; PME inter-distance 0.79; PME to ALE 0.16; eye region (Fig. 9B) with reduced setation although some setae present anterior to AME, between lateral eyes and between posterior eyes and fovea.

Chelicerae: 1.42 long, 0.88 wide; distally broad, diagonal, slightly conical; edges smoothly rounded; without transverse ridges (Fig. 10I), with 2 lines of dorsal setae, prolateral with ca. 28 and retrolateral with ca. 15; with ca. 30 setae along inner margin of chelicera; rastellum (Fig. 9D, E) developed, pronounced, consisting of a sclerotised process with 11 strong conical spines and 16 disordered setae, 13 long setae extend forward from anterior margin of each chelicera and cover base of fang, setae largest on latero-ventral side; inner margin of cheliceral furrow with 3 rows of teeth (Fig. 10E); prolateral (inner) row with ca. 6 teeth, all teeth spaced; intermediate row with 5 proximal, spaced teeth; retrolateral (outer) row with 4 proximal, spaced teeth; with 2 distal teeth.

Maxillae: 1.31 long; 1.0 wide, longer than wide, almost square (Fig. 10C, D), ca. 96 pointed cuspules along entire anterior margin, distally pointed and extended into a prominent heel.

Labium: 0.80 long, 0.62 wide; conical, ca. 31 pointed cuspules anteriorly (Fig. 10G); labiosternal suture developed as a shallow groove; a pair of sigilla near labiosternal suture (Fig. 10H), developed as irregular, poorly-defined patches.

Sternum: 1.82 long, 1.71 wide; oval and rebordered (Fig. 10H), with prominent setae, arranged irregularly but denser lateral to labium; 4 pairs of sigillae, anterior pair smallest than others and undefined, second pair (anterior-posterior) smallest but well defined, third pair bigger than 2 anterior pairs and well defined, and posterior pair bigger than all others, roughly oval but not well defined, all sigillae slightly depressed.

Abdomen: 3.31 long, 2.54 wide; roughly oval (Fig. 10F); 4 spinnerets (Fig. 10J), PLS 1.00 long, 0.40 wide, apical segment domed; PMS 0.34 long, 0.15 wide.

Pedipalp: length of trochanter 1.0, femur 2.27, patella 1.0, tibia 2.09, tarsus 0.63; entire palp is aspinose, femur longer than tibia, tarsus terminally blunt (Fig. 9F); bulb pyriform and rather stout than globular (Fig. 9G−J), 2 strongly sclerotised sections connected by a velar median structure (“haematodocha”); bulb strongly twisted proventrally (Fig. 9G, I); embolus short, with a proximal intumescence (BEI) in prolateral view, tapering and slightly twisted medially (Fig. 9G−J); embolus tip triangular in prolateral/retrolateral view and rectangular in ventral view, with a small lamella (EL) and without tooth (Fig. 9H).

Legs: with few brown setae, ventral setae of tibiae and metatarsi generally much longer and thicker than dorsal setae and bent towards the exterior; dorsal, lateral and ventral setae of tibiae and metatarsi longer than the diameter of respective segment; preening comb distal in tarsi, very small and plain; metatarsi I, II and III ascopulate, tarsi I, II, III and IV ascopulate but with ca. 20, 24, 17, 13 fine ventral setae distally, respectively; metatarsus IV with dense scopula ventrally across entire length. Leg measurements: Leg I: femur 1.55, patella 1.22, tibia 1.40, metatarsus 1.48, tarsus 0.88, total 6.55. Leg II: 2.22, 1.18, 1.44, 1.48, 1, 7.33. Leg III: 2.18, 1.18, 1.48, 1.48, 1.03, 7.37. Leg IV: 2.22, 1.29, 1.55, 1.55, 1.03, 7.66. Formula 4123.

Trichobothria: arranged in discontinuous rows; tibiae I–II with 2 proximal rows of 3 in retrodorsal and prodorsal position, respectively; tibiae III-IV with 2 rows of 2−3 in prodorsal/retrolateral position; metatarsi with 4 in mediodorsal position, tarsi I+II with 2, III+IV with 3, all trichobothria in mediodorsal position.

Leg spination: pedipalp aspinose; leg I: tibia rv1−0−1, v2−3−5, pv0−0−0, d0−0−0; metatarsus rv0−0−1, v2−6−5, pv1−1−2, d0−0−0; tarsus rv0−0−0, v3−6−7, pv0−0−0, d0−0−0; leg II: tibia rv1−0−0, v3−4−4, pv0−0−0, d0−0−0; metatarsus rv1−2−1, v2−5−4, pv1−1−2, d0−0−0; tarsus rv0−1−1, v3−4−8, pv0−1−0, d0−0−0; leg III: tibia rv0−0−0, v1−2−3, pv0−0−1, d0−1−7; metatarsus rv1−2−2, v4−6−8, pv1−0−1, d3−3−3; tarsus rv0−0−0, v1−4−4, pv0−0−1, d0−0−3; leg IV: tibia rv0−0−0, v1−2−2, pv0−0−1, d1−0−4; metatarsus rv1−2−2, v0−0−0, pv1−4−3, d2−1−3; tarsus rv1−1−3, v3−4−6, pv0−0−0, d0−0−2; patellae I, II without rasps and spines (Fig. 10A), patella III with ca. 28 rasps in 8 oblique rows dorsally, median rows shorter than lateral rows and with less spines, distal spines forming a interrupted crown of spines in the border of the article (Fig. 10B); patella IV with 12 rasps retrolaterally and 6 thick and short spines dorsally.

Tarsal claws: leg I: 3−2/2; leg II: 6−6/2; leg III: 6−5/3; leg IV: 5−5/3; claws slightly shorter than spines of tarsi.

Variation in paratypes (N=5): total length 5.27−6.09; carapace 2.36−2.63 long, 2.54−3.27 wide; number of labial cuspules 19−26, maxillary cuspules 86−108; rastellum with 10–13 thick and conical spines.

This species is known only from Quobba Station in the Carnarvon biogeographic region of Western Australia (Fig. 4).

All specimens were collected in pitfall traps in a period between May and October. They were listed as Missulena sp. 2 in a survey of mygalomorph spiders of the southern Carnarvon Basin (Main et al. 2000). The two sites are dominated by Acacia over dune substrates (Burbidge et al. 2000, Appendix A; Wyrwoll et al. 2000).