Holotype female, Sydney (33°52'S, 151°13'E, New South Wales, Australia) (NHMW-Zoo-Ar-29914). Photographs examined.

Holotype of Epeira rubicundula Keyserling, 1887, female, Sydney (3°53'S, 151°13'E, New South Wales, Australia). Depository unknown, not examined (see Remarks).

162 males, 509 females (8 with egg sac), 105 juveniles (in 360 records) (see Suppl. material 1)

The genital morphology of males of S. fuliginata comb. nov. is most similar to that of S. recherchensis comb. nov., however, the median apopohysis is relatively longer and more slender in S. fuliginata comb. nov. and the terminal apophysis lacks the distinct spine-like prong present in S. recherchensis comb. nov. (Fig. 6C vs. Fig. 17C). The epigyne of female S. fuliginata comb. nov. is most similar to that of S. recherchensis comb. nov., but in S. fuliginata comb. nov. the atrium is not visible due to a rotation of the epigyne into the abdomen (Fig. 7F), whereas the atrium is visible ventrally in S. recherchensis comb. nov. (Fig. 18C). In addition, the apical section of the scape is straight in lateral view in S. fuliginata comb. nov. (Fig. 7D), but curved in S. recherchensis comb. nov. (Fig. 18G).

Figure 7. 

Salsa fuliginata (L. Koch, 1872), comb. nov., female (MV K-14863 (CVIC 1173)) A dorsal habitus B ventral habitus C epigyne, postero-ventral view D epigyne, lateral view E epigyne, posterior view F epigyne in situ, ventral view (MV K-4866). Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B); 0.2 mm (C–E).

Male (based on MV K-14867 (CVIC 1163)): Total length 3.2. Carapace 1.8 long, 1.4 wide, dark orange-brown, with dark streaks from fovea and yellow setae throughout (Fig. 6A). Eye diameter AME 0.13, ALE 0.11, PME 0.07, PLE 0.07; row of eyes: AME 0.34, PME 0.32, PLE 0.83. Chelicerae orange-brown; with three promarginal teeth (median largest) and three retromarginal teeth (basal largest). Legs brown, femora basally, trochanters and coxae yellow-brown (Fig. 6A, B). Leg formula I > II > IV > III; length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): I – 2.2 + 0.9 + 1.6 + 1.7 + 0.7 = 7.1, II – 1.9 + 0.7 + 1.3 + 1.4 + 0.6 = 5.9, III – 1.2 + 0.4 + 0.7 + 0.8 + 0.4 = 3.5, IV – 1.7 + 0.6 + 1.0 + 1.1 + 0.6 = 5.0. Labium 0.22 long, 0.36 wide (Fig. 6B). Sternum 0.9 long, 0.7 wide and brown (Fig. 6B). Abdomen 1.6 long, 1.3 wide, dorsum beige with olive-grey irregular large folium, laterally dark brown mottled in black (Fig. 6A); venter dark brown with two elongate longitudinal white patches behind epigastric furrow (Fig. 6B). Pedipalp (Figs 2A–D, 4, 6C, D): length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + cymbium = total length): 0.4 + 0.2 + 0.2 + 0.5 = 1.3; paracymbium short and slightly curved; median apophysis basally pronounced with a reduced basal process, elongated and C-shaped with a blunt tip; conductor lobe robust, connecting to conductor basally of embolus; terminal apophysis sub-rectangular, bearing a thumb-like projection apically; conductor flat, poorly sclerotised; embolus elongate, pronounced and straight.

Female (based on MV K-14863 (CVIC1173)): Total length 9.0. Carapace 3.5 long, 2.7 wide; with colour as in male and covered by yellow setae (Fig. 7A). Eye diameter AME 0.18, ALE 0.16, PME 0.13, PLE 0.13; row of eyes: AME 0.50, PME 0.49, PLE 1.73. Chelicerae orange-brown, three promarginal teeth (median largest) and three retromarginal teeth of similar size. Legs orange-brown mottled in pale brown (Fig. 7A, B). Pedipalp length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + tarsus = total length): 1.0 + 0.5 + 0.6 + 1.1 = 3.2. Leg formula I > II > IV > III; length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): I – 3.5 + 1.6 + 2.9 + 2.9 + 1.1 = 12.0, II – 3.2 + 1.4 + 2.4 + 2.5 + 1.0 = 10.5, III – 2.0 + 1.0 + 1.2 + 1.2 + 0.7 = 6.1, IV – 3.1 + 1.3 + 2.2 + 2.4 + 0.8 = 9.8. Labium 0.49 long, 0.72 wide, dark brown; endites dark brown to brown (Fig. 7B). Sternum 1.6 long, 1.5 wide, dark brown with grey setae (Fig. 7B). Abdomen 5.4 long, 4.9 wide; dorsum and laterally olive-grey with dorsal darker folium pattern (Fig. 7A); venter dark olive-grey with lateral elongate ovoid pale bands connected with pale band behind epigastric furrow (Fig. 7B). Epigyne wider than long in ventral view (Fig. 7F); atrium/central division heart-shaped (Fig. 7C, E); scape elongate sub-triangular (Fig. 7C, F); spermathecae spherical and very large (Fig. 5A).

Total length males 3.2–5.5 (n = 7); females 4.5–9.2 (n = 10). As in many orb-weaving spiders, colour patterns in S. fuliginata comb. nov. can vary considerably, mainly in how distinct the folium is and how well it is delineated. Colour shades range from pale beige to orange- and reddish brown to dark brown (e.g., Fig. 1A–D).

Renner (1988) listed a ‘cotyp’ in the Stuttgart Museum that was destroyed in WWII. However, the original description clearly states (L. Koch 1872, p. 107: “Von Sydney. Ein Exemplar im k. k. Museum zu Wien” (= From Sydney. One Specimen in the Vienna Museum), which means the female specimen present in the NHMW should be considered the single holotype and the specimen destroyed in the Stuttgart Museum was not of taxonomic relevance.

Figure 8. 

Distribution records of Salsa fuliginata (L. Koch, 1872), comb. nov. in Australia.

Rack (1961) listed a female collected in Sydney as holotype of Epeira rubicundula from the ZMH (Rack (1961)-catalogue no. 270). This specimen, however, does not match the original description by Keyserling (1887), but is clearly a female of S. brisbanae comb. nov. Keyserling’s (1887) illustration of the female clearly shows the small sub-triangular scape of S. fuliginata comb. nov. with a very small epigyne plate, also typical for that species. We could not find a female specimen in any historical collection (NHMUK, ZMH, ZMB) that matched the description of E. rubicundula and was labelled as such. We therefore consider the holotype of this species lost. The original description, however, leaves no doubt that this species is conspecific with S. fuliginata comb. nov. and we therefore consider E. rubicundula a junior synonym of S. fuliginata comb. nov.

Mature males of S. fuliginata comb. nov. are more common from October to January, with much lower numbers occurring in other months, especially September and February. Very few adults were found between these two months, with no males recorded for August. Equally, females are spring/summer-mature, with the majority of specimens being collected between October and January, but with comparatively more specimens in September and February than males. Few females have been collected between February and September, but differently from males there are no specimens collected in July and one that was collected in August.

Salsa fuliginata comb. nov. does not seem to be very habitat-specific as it has been found in a variety of forests to more open habitats with lower vegetation. Habitat descriptions on labels with specimens include “dry sclerophyll forest”, “open forest”, “shrubs”, and “bushes”; but also “garden” and “swamps”.

The distribution of S. fuliginata comb. nov. encompasses four Australian states: New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, and Victoria (Fig. 8A). This species is also found in New Zealand (Fig. 8B).

Holotype of Epeira brisbanae L. Koch, 1872, female, Brisbane (27°28'S, 153°01'E, Queensland, Australia) (ZMH (Rack 1961)-catalogue no. 226). Examined.

57 males, 208 females (2 with egg sac), 39 juveniles (in 146 records) (see Suppl. material 1).

Male S. brisbanae comb. nov. can be distinguished from all other Salsa gen. nov. species by the unique morphology of the pedipalp median apophysis that has a very acute, basally pointed tip (Fig. 9C) (median apophysis generally rounded C-shaped in all other species). Female genitalia are probably most similar to those of S. canalae comb. nov., but the scape of S. brisbanae comb. nov. is shorter than the epigyne plate (Fig. 10C), whereas it is longer than the plate in S. canalae comb. nov. (Fig. 13C, D).

Male (based on NHMD 12231). Total length 4.4. Carapace 2.3 long, 1.9 wide, dark brown, slightly paler anteriorly (Fig. 9A). Eye diameter AME 0.12, ALE 0.11, PME 0.14, PLE 0.09; row of eyes: AME 0.32, PME 0.33, PLE 0.90. Chelicerae pale brown; with three promarginal teeth (median largest) and three retromarginal teeth (basal largest). Legs brown, femora basally yellow-brown (Fig. 9A, B). Leg formula I > II > IV > III; length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): I – 2.5 + 1.1 + 2.0 + 1.6 + 0.7 = 7.9, II – 2.2 + 1.0 + 1.4 + 1.5 + 0.6 = 6.7, III – 1.4 + 0.6 + 0.7 + 0.7 + 0.5 = 3.9, IV – 2.0 + 0.7 + 1.3 + 1.4 + 0.6 = 6.0. Labium 0.27 long, 0.35 wide, brown; endites beige (Fig. 9B). Sternum 1.1 long, 0.7 wide, dark brown with black radial shading (Fig. 9B). Abdomen 2.1 long, 1.7 wide, posteriorly pointed; dorsum with beige background and large, irregular, olive-grey, folium, laterally pale olive-grey with black streaks (Fig. 9A); venter dark grey, laterally with two elongate white bands (Fig. 9B). Pedipalp (Fig. 9C, D) length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + cymbium = total length): 0.3 + 0.2 + 0.1 + 0.65 = 1.25; paracymbium strong and curved apically; median apophysis transverse, terminating in an acute and basally pointed tip; denticles in basal arch of median apophysis distinct; conductor lobe narrow; terminal apophysis enlarged, sub-rectangular, bearing a reduced basal prong; conductor bilobed; embolus short, heavily sclerotised.

Female (based on AM KS.131087): Total length 6.9. Carapace 3.0 long, 2.3 wide; dark brown, cephalic area paler (Fig. 10A). Eye diameter AME 0.14, ALE 0.09, PME 0.07, PLE 0.07; row of eyes: AME 0.41, PME 0.38, PLE 1.35. Chelicerae orange-brown, four promarginal teeth (apical and second basal largest) and three retromarginal teeth of similar size. Legs brown, patellae and tibiae apically slightly darker (Fig. 10A, B). Pedipalp length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + tarsus = total length): 0.9 + 0.5 + 0.5 + 1.0 = 2.9. Leg formula I > II > IV > III; length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): I – 2.4 + 1.1 + 1.8 + 1.9 + 0.9 = 8.1, II – 2.1 + 1.1 + 1.5 + 1.7 + 0.7 = 7.1, III – 1.2 + 0.7 + 0.8 + 0.8 + 0.5 = 4.0, IV – 2.1 + 1.0 + 1.4 + 1.5 + 0.6 = 6.6. Labium 0.36 long, 0.59 wide, dark brown; endites dark brown (Fig. 10B). Sternum 1.3 long, 1.1 wide, orange-brown, with some paler discolourations (Fig. 10B). Abdomen 4.7 long, 4.6 wide; dorsum beige with olive-brown folium, laterally covered by orange-brown streaks (Fig. 10A); venter olive-grey centrally with paler mottles, laterally with elongate white bands (Fig. 10B). Epigyne base almost circular, slightly wider than long, with narrow elevated borders and therefore atrium extends almost over whole base (Fig. 10C); scape slightly less than half of epigyne base, slightly wrinkled and its sides parallel (Fig. 10C); central division wide and abruptly tapering dorsally; spermathecae narrow pointing apically (Fig. 5B).

Figure 9. 

Salsa brisbanae (L. Koch, 1867), comb. nov., male (NHMD 12231) A dorsal habitus B ventral habitus C left pedipalp, ventral view D left pedipalp, dorsal view. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B); 0.2 mm (C, D).

Only one other male was measured, total length 3.9; females total lengths 6.9–7.9 (n = 4). Like in other species of the genus, the colour variations in S. brisbanae comb. nov. can be considerable and range from pale to dark brown tones in live specimens with the folium pattern on the abdomen more or less distinct.

Male and female specimens of S. brisbanae comb. nov. have mainly been found between October and May, with only few specimens collected from June to September. Although mature spiders can therefore be found all year round, the species should be considered as mainly late-summer to autumn mature. Most specimens were apparently collected on leaves and bark as labels indicate sweeping and beating as the main collection techniques that were used to capture the spiders.

Figure 10. 

Salsa brisbanae (L. Koch, 1867), comb. nov., female (AM KS.131087) A dorsal habitus B ventral habitus C epigyne, ventral view D epigyne, lateral view E epigyne, posterior view. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B); 0.2 mm (C–E).

Salsa brisbanae comb. nov. does not seem to be very habitat-specific, with specimens being collected in completely different environments, mostly in lower vegetation. Habitat descriptions on labels with specimens include “rainforest”, “shrubs”, “grass”, and “foliage”; but also “dune” and “lagoon vegetation”. Plant species that were cited at collection sites include Acacia longifolia (long-leaved wattle), Leptospermum laevigatum (coast tea tree), and Monotoca elliptica (tree broom heath).

Figure 11. 

Distribution records of Salsa brisbanae (L. Koch, 1867), comb. nov. and Salsa recherchensis (Main, 1954), comb. nov. in Australia.

Salsa brisbanae comb. nov. occurs in Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania (Fig. 11). The species was recorded by Keyserling (1887) from New Zealand (see also Dalmas 1917), but this record is likely based on a misidentification (Paquin et al. 2008). The species was apparently also recorded from Papua New Guinea (World Spider Catalog 2022), but we could not find any original citation that suggests this distribution.

Holotype female, Mount Canala (21°31'S, 165°58'E, New Cale­donia), F. Sarasin and J. Roux (NHMB 979a). Photographs examined.

1 male, 7 females (in 8 records)(see Suppl. material 1).

Males of S. canalae comb nov. shares with S. tartara sp. nov. two patellar setae on the pedipalp (Fig. 12C, D vs. Fig. 22C, D). However, S. canalae comb nov. is distinguished by prominent, heavily sclerotised conductor of S. tartara sp. nov. which is short and inconspicuous in S. canalae comb. nov. Female genitalia are most similar to those of S. brisbanae comb. nov., but differ from those and other Salsa gen. nov. species by the epigyne scape, that is longer than the epigyne plate and exceeds its posterior margin (Fig. 13C, D).

Male (based on WAM T75922) Total length 5.5. Carapace 2.9 long, 2.5 wide, pear-shaped and pale brown, covered with short white setae (Fig. 12A). Eye diameter AME 0.20, ALE 0.18, PME 0.13, PLE 0.11; row of eyes: AME 0.54, PME 0.47, PLE 1.22. Chelicerae yellowish brown; with four promarginal teeth (second basal largest) and three retromarginal teeth (basal largest). Legs yellowish brown mottled in pale brown, bearing thick setae on patella, tibia and metatarsus (Fig. 12A, B). Leg formula I > II > IV > III; length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): I – 2.8 + 1.2 + 2.2 + 1.7 + 0.9 = 8.8, II – 2.2 + 1.0 + 1.6 + 1.6 + 0.8 = 7.2, III – 1.4 + 0.6 + 0.8 + 0.8 + 0.5 = 4.1, IV – 2.1 + 0.9 + 1.5 + 1.5 + 0.7 = 6.7. Labium 0.31 long, 0.47, and endites yellowish brown, paler anteriorly (Fig. 12B). Sternum 1.3 long, 0.8 wide, yellowish brown mottled dark and bearing dark brown contour (Fig. 12B). Abdomen 2.5 long, 1.8 wide, with pointed conical posterior portion after spinnerets, dorsum, sides, and venter beige mottled in grey (Fig. 12A, B). Pedipalp (Fig. 12C, D) length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + cymbium = total length): 0.5 + 0.2 + 0.15 + 0.9 = 1.75; patella with two setae; paracymbium reduced and straight; median apophysis elongated, with a thick basal process, a notched apical section on an acute and apically curved rounded tip; conductor lobe small; terminal apophysis subrectangular, apically projected and inflated, bearing a finger-like lobe from its basis; conductor flat with sclerotised borders; embolus short and strong, very sclerotised.

Figure 12. 

Salsa canalae Berland, 1924, comb. nov., male (WAM T75922) A dorsal habitus B ventral habitus C left pedipalp, ventral view D left pedipalp, dorsal view. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B); 0.2 mm (C, D).

Female (based on WAM T75921): Total length 8.3. Carapace 3.5 long, 3.1 wide; dark brown and bearing long white setae throughout (Fig. 13A). Eye diameter AME 0.20, ALE 0.18, PME 0.14, PLE 0.13; row of eyes: AME 0.52, PME 0.45, PLE 1.88. Chelicerae dark brown, four promarginal teeth (apical and basal largest), and three retromarginal (basal largest). Legs orange-brown, slightly darker on femur and joints (Fig. 13A, B). Pedipalp length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + tarsus = total length): 1.0 + 0.5 + 0.7 +1.1 = 3.3. Leg formula I > II > IV > III; length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): I – 3.2 + 1.4 + 2.7 + 2.4 + 1.1 = 10.8, II – 2.8 + 1.5 + 2.2 + 2.2 + 0.9 = 9.6, III – 1.9 + 0.9 + 1.0 + 1.0 + 0.7 = 5.5, IV – 2.8 + 1.2 + 2.0 + 2.1 + 0.9 = 9.0. Labium 0.54 long, 0.86 wide and endites dark brown, beige on anterior border (Fig. 13B). Sternum 1.5 long, 1.5 wide and brown (Fig. 13B). Abdomen 5.5 long, 5.2 wide; dorsum with beige background brindled in olive-grey (Fig. 13A); sides olive-grey (Fig. 13B); venter olive-grey with two thick rounded white patches (Fig. 13B). Epigyne subquadrate with broadly rounded antero-lateral borders and wide atrium and basis (Fig. 13C, D); scape almost twice the length of epigyne base, from a slightly wide base gradually narrowing a thin section (Fig. 13C–E); central division goblet-like, very wide anteriorly, ca. as wide as the epigyne base, and tapering basally (Fig. 13F); spermathecae oval and apart by more than its diameter (Fig. 5C).

Only one male was available for measurements (see above); female total lengths 5.8 and 6.4 (n = 2). All our specimens were of very similar colouration, but Berland (1932) reported numerous females with considerable colour variations, specifically of the abdomen, without providing any further detail.

The mature male described here was found in April, mature females examined between February and June; however, specimen numbers are too small to confidently interpret the phenology of the species. There was no information on habitat with any specimen labels.

Distributed throughout New Caledonia (Fig. 14), including Nouméa (cited in Berland 1932).

Figure 13. 

Salsa canalae Berland, 1924, comb. nov., female A dorsal habitus (WAM T75921) B ventral habitus (WAM T75921) C epigyne, ventral view (WAM T75921) D epigyne variation, ventral view (WAM T75923) E epigyne variation, lateral view (WAM T75923) F epigyne variation, posterior view (WAM T75923). Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B); 0.2 mm (C–F).

Figure 14. 

Distribution records of Salsa canalae Berland, 1924, comb. nov. in New Caledonia.

Holotype female, Neneba (8°45'S, 147°30'E, Papua New Guinea), 9 November 1896 (QM S111920).

Only known from holotype.

The specific epithet is a noun in apposition referring to the type locality.

Males of S. neneba sp. nov. are unknown. Genitalia of female specimens of S. neneba sp. nov. can be recognised by the somewhat sinuous antero-lateral edges of the epigyne plate and the transverse edges in the atrium (Fig. 15C).

Male. Unknown.

Female (based on holotype, QM S111920): Total length 10.5. Carapace 4.5 long, 3.2 wide; dark reddish brown and covered by white setae anteriorly from fovea (Fig. 15A). Eye diameter AME 0.23, ALE 0.18, PME 0.20, PLE 0.16; row of eyes: AME 0.68, PME 0.56, PLE 2.25. Chelicerae reddish brown, four promarginal teeth (apical and second basal largest) and three retromarginal teeth (apical smallest). Legs yellowish brown, femora slightly darker (Fig. 15A, B). Pedipalp length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + tarsus = total length): 1.2 + 0.5 + 0.8 + 1.1 = 3.6. Leg formula I > II > IV > III; length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): I – 3.8 + 1.7 + 3.2 + 2.8 + 1.0 = 12.5, II – 3.5 + 1.6 + 2.6 + 2.6 + 0.9 = 11.2, III – 2.1 + 1.0 + 1.2 + 1.3 + 0.7 = 6.3, IV – 3.3 + 1.4 + 2.3 + 2.3 + 0.8 = 10.1. Labium 0.58 long, 0.77 wide, reddish brown; endites reddish brown (Fig. 15B). Sternum 2.0 long, 1.8 wide, reddish brown (Fig. 15B). Abdomen 6.1 long, 5.0 wide; posterior hump distinct (Fig. 15A, B); dorsum colouration poorly preserved, beige with indistinct greyish folium pattern (Fig. 15A); venter olive-brown with two spindle-shaped pale lateral bands (Fig. 15B). Epigyne ca. as long as wide, with sinuous antero-lateral borders and transvers ridges within the atrium (Fig. 15C); scape slightly longer than half the length of the epigyne base, slightly narrowest centrally (Fig. 15C); epigyne not dissected to investigate posterior and internal morphology as only known from fragile holotype.

Only known from holotype.

Unknown.

Currently only known from type locality, Neneba in Papua New Guinea (Fig. 16).

Figure 15. 

Salsa neneba sp. nov., female holotype (QM S111920) A dorsal habitus B ventral habitus C epigyne, ventral view. Scale bars: 5 mm (A, B); 0.1 mm (C).

Figure 16. 

Distribution records of Salsa neneba sp. nov.

Holotype female, Figure of Eight Island, Recherche Archipelago, (34°01'S, 122°14'E, Western Australia, Australia), 7 November 1950, V. Serventy (WAM 55/4984). Examined.

34 males, 321 females, 175 juveniles (in 74 records) (see Suppl. material 1).

The genital morphology of male S. recherchensis comb. nov. is most similar to that of S. fuliginata comb. nov.; however, S. recherchensis comb. nov. males can be distinguished by the comparatively shorter median apophysis and the distinct basal spine-like prong on the terminal apophysis (Fig. 6C vs. Fig. 17C). The epigyne of female S. recherchensis comb. nov. is most similar to that of S. fuliginata comb. nov. However, in ventral view, the epigyne plate of S. fuliginata comb. nov. is inconspicuous (Fig. 7F), whereas it is pronounced in S. recherchensis comb. nov. (Fig. 18C).

Male (based on WAM T73696). Total length 5.1. Carapace 2.9 long, 2.4 wide, brown, paler in cephalic area and with yellowish setae throughout (Fig. 17A). Eye diameter AME 0.18, ALE 0.14, PME 0.09, PLE 0.09; row of eyes: AME 0.50, PME 0.43, PLE 1.39. Chelicerae brown; with four promarginal teeth (second basal and apical largest) and three retromarginal teeth (basal largest). Legs brown, femora basally yellow-brown, except in leg I (Fig. 17A, B). Leg formula I > II > IV > III; length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): I – 4.2 + 1.6 + 3.2 + 3.3 + 1.0 = 13.3, II – 3.4 + 1.3 + 2.2 + 2.8 + 1.0 = 10.7, III – 2.2 + 0.9 + 1.1 + 1.4 + 0.7 = 6.3, IV – 3.2 + 1.1 + 2.2 + 2.5 + 0.9 = 10.0. Labium 0.34 long, 0.56 wide, brown; endites orange-brown (Fig. 17B). Sternum 1.5 long, 1.0 wide, brown (Fig. 17B). Abdomen 2.3 long, 2.1 wide, dorsum with dark grey, irregular folium on a beige background, laterally olive-grey (Fig. 17A); venter olive-grey, laterally with two elongate, curved longitudinal bands (Fig. 17B). Pedipalp length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + cymbium = total length): 0.6 + 0.2 + 0.15 + 0.8 = 1.75; paracymbium stout and slightly curved apically (Fig. 17D); median apophysis short with thick rounded tip, numerous small teeth-like tubercles inside basal arch (Fig. 17C); conductor lobe short (Fig. 17C); terminal apophysis conspicuous, sub-rectangular and bearing spine-like basal prong (Fig. 17C); conductor slightly folding over itself, broadly lapped and heavily sclerotised (Fig. 17C, D); embolus short (Fig. 17C).

Figure 17. 

Salsa recherchensis (Main, 1954), comb. nov., male (WAM T77696) A dorsal habitus B ventral habitus C left pedipalp, ventral view D left pedipalp, dorsal view. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B); 0.2 mm (C, D).

Figure 18. 

Salsa recherchensis (Main, 1954), comb. nov., female (WAM T77362) A dorsal habitus B ventral habitus C epigyne, ventral view D epigyne, lateral view E epigyne, posterior view F variation of epigyne, ventral view (WAM 92/2120) G variation of epigyne, lateral view (WAM 92/2120). Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B); 0.2 mm (C–E).

Female (based on WAM T77362): Total length 8.0. Carapace 3.7 long, 2.7 wide; similar to male but slightly darker and more setae (Fig. 18A). Eye diameter AME 0.20, ALE 0.18, PME 0.13, PLE 0.11; row of eyes: AME 0.52, PME 0.47, PLE 1.76. Chelicerae pale brown, four promarginal teeth (apical and second basal largest) and three retromarginal teeth (basal largest). Legs pale brown mottled in dark (Fig. 18A, B). Pedipalp length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + tarsus = total length): 0.9 + 0.5 + 0.7 + 1.1 = 3.2. Leg formula I > II > IV > III; length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): I – 3.4 + 1.5 + 2.7 + 2.9 + 1.1 = 11.6, II – 2.8 + 1.3 + 2.3 + 2.4 + 1.0 = 9.8, III – 2.0 + 1.0 + 1.3 + 1.3 + 0.7 = 6.3, IV – 3.0 + 1.2 + 2.0 + 2.2 + 0.8 = 9.2. Labium 0.34 long, 0.72 wide, dark brown; endites dark brown (Fig. 18B). Sternum 1.5 long, 1.4 wide, dark brown (Fig. 18B). Abdomen 5.1 long, 4.7 wide; folium pattern as in male, but more distinct (Fig. 18A, B). Epigyne base slightly longer than wide; atrium heart-shaped (Fig. 18C); central division ca. as wide as the epigyne base, slightly narrowing dorsally (Fig. 18E); spermathecae spherical (Fig. 5D); scape (Fig. 18F, G.) (WAM 90/2120) broadest at base, tapering, curved in lateral view.

Only a single male was measured for this study; female total length 4.5–8.0 (n = 6). The colour variation in this species is very similar to that of S. fuliginata comb. nov. and S. brisbanae comb. nov. with abdominal shades of beige to reddish brown and more or less conspicuous folium pattern. Of the six females measured for this study, all but one had their scapes broken off.

All specimens were collected between October and May, with peak collection numbers in November and January. There is not much information about habitat preferences of Salsa recherchensis comb. nov., but they seem to be more common in lower vegetation layers based on descriptions on specimen labels, which include “web in garden”, “understorey Karri forest”, “bushes”, “granite”, “between limestone”, and “camp”.

Salsa recherchensis comb. nov. is the only species of the genus found in Western Australia, although its range extends into southern South Australia (Fig. 11).

Holotype male, Tubrabucca (31°52'S, 151°25'E, New South Wales, Australia), 19 January 1049, RTMP, ANB (MV K-14856).

6 males, 14 females (1 with egg sac), 1 juvenile (in 15 records) (see Suppl. material 1).

The specific epithet is a noun in apposition and refers to a specific Salsa dancing style, Rueda de Casino, in which changing pairs of dancers from a circle and dance moves are being called out by a single person. It is a noun in apposition.

Figure 19. 

Salsa rueda sp. nov., male holotype (MV K-14856) A dorsal habitus B ventral habitus C left pedipalp, ventral view D left pedipalp, dorsal view. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B); 0.2 mm (C, D).

Males of S. rueda sp. nov. are identified from all other species of the genus by the highly elongated median apophysis of the pedipalp and the enlarged basal, curved prong on the terminal apophysis (Figs 3A–C, 19C). Females can be distinguished from all other species by shape of the epigyne base, which is much longer than wide and has a central longitudinal ridge (Fig. 20A).

Male (based on holotype, MV K-14856). Total length 6.1. Carapace 3.3 long, 2.6 wide, brown, slightly paler in cephalic area and posteriorly (Fig. 19A). Eye diameter AME 0.16, ALE 0.14, PME 0.09, PLE 0.09; row of eyes: AME 0.47, PME 0.43, PLE 1.37. Chelicerae orange-brown; with four promarginal teeth (basal and apical largest) and three retromarginal teeth (basal largest). Legs shades of brown, femora basally yellow-brown in legs II, III and IV (Fig. 19A, B). Leg formula I > II > IV > III; length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): I – 4.5 + 1.5 + 2.8 + 2.6 + 1.0 = 12.4, II – 3.0 + 1.4 + 2.0 + 2.4 + 0.9 = 9.7, III – 1.7 + 0.9 + 1.2 + 1.2 + 0.6 = 5.6, IV – 2.6 + 1.1 + 1.8 + 2.2 + 0.8 = 8.5. Labium 0.36 long, 0.56, brown; endites brown (Fig. 19B). Sternum 1.5 long, 1.2 wide, dark brown (Fig. 19B). Abdomen 2.7 long, 2.6 wide, dorsal folium uniformly olive-grey bordered by broad wavy pale bands (Fig. 19A); venter dark olive-grey with two ovoid lateral white patches (Fig. 19B). Pedipalp length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + cymbium = total length): 0.6 + 0.2 + 0.1 + 1.1 = 2.0; paracymbium slightly curved with conspicuous base (Figs 3A, B, 19D); median apophysis bearing a rounded basal process, elongated C-shaped; basal arch with numerous tubercles (Figs 3A–D, 19C); conductor lobe broad (Figs 3A–C, 19C); terminal apophysis sub-rectangular with a curved, heavily sclerotised basal prong (Figs 3A–C, 19C); conductor heavily sclerotised, spatulate (Figs 3A–C, 19C); embolus strong and slightly sinuous (Figs 3A–C, 19C).

Figure 20. 

Salsa rueda sp. nov., female (AM KS.50201) A dorsal habitus B ventral habitus C epigyne, ventral view D epigyne, lateral view E epigyne, posterior view. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B); 0.1 mm (C–E).

Female (based on AM KS.50201): Total length 10.5. Carapace 4.2 long, 3.5 wide; reddish brown, slightly paler in cephalic area and posteriorly, covered by white setae specifically in cephalic area (Fig. 20A). Eye diameter AME 0.18, ALE 0.16, PME 0.13, PLE 0.11; row of eyes: AME 0.54, PME 0.52, PLE 2.18. Chelicerae reddish brown, four promarginal teeth (apical and second basal largest) and three retromarginal teeth (basal largest). Legs orange-brown (Fig. 20A, B). Pedipalp length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + tarsus = total length): 1.1 + 0.4 + 0.7 + 1.3 = 3.5. Leg formula I > II > IV > III; length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): I – 4.0 + 1.7 + 3.5 + 3.3 + 1.2 = 13.7, II – 3.7 + 1.6 + 2.8 + 2.9 + 1.1 = 12.1, III – 2.5 + 1.1 + 1.4 + 1.5 + 0.8 = 7.3, IV – 3.5 + 1.6 + 2.2 + 2.6 + 1.0 = 10.9. Labium 0.58 long, 0.86 wide, dark brown; endites dark brown (Fig. 20B). Sternum 1.8 long, 1.6 wide, dark reddish brown (Fig. 20B). Abdomen 6.0 long, 6.0 wide; dorsum beige with indistinct darker folium pattern (Fig. 20A); venter black and laterally with elongate white patches and pale transverse band behind epigastric furrow (Fig. 20B). Epigyne much longer than wide; atrium with central elevated section and a transverse ridge anteriorly (Fig. 20C); scape shorter than half the length of epigyne base (Fig. 20C, D); central division a conspicuous narrow ridge (Fig. 20E). Spermathecae rounded and located on the basis of the genitalia, separated by the width of the median ridge (Fig. 5E).

Total length males 6.0–6.8 (n = 5); females 7.2–10.5 (n = 4). The colour variations in S. rueda sp. nov. are probably the most uniform with the patterns in the folium often little expressed (Figs 19A, 20A). There was no evidence of scape breakage in any of the females examined by us.

Specimens were collected in December and January, with a single female from March, indicating this species to be summer-mature. There was no habitat information on any of the specimen labels.

Salsa rueda sp. nov. were found in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania (Fig. 21).

Holotype male, Lord Howe Island, Goat House Cave area (31°33'50"S, 159°05'11"E, New South Wales, Australia), 23 February 2001, G. Milledge (AM KS.70737).

1 male, 5 females (in 6 records) (see Suppl. material 1).

The specific epithet is a noun in apposition and refers to the tartar sauce, “salsa tartara” in Spanish, one of the favourite salsas of the junior author’s wife.

Like S. canalae comb. nov. males, those of S. tartara sp. nov. have two patellar setae on the pedipalp; however, can be separated by the strong curved conductor (Fig. 22C) that is absent in S. canalae comb. nov. Female epigynes are much longer than wide, similar to those of S. rueda sp. nov., but they lack the longitudinal central ridge of that species (Fig. 20C vs. Fig. 23C).

Figure 21. 

Distribution records of Salsa rueda sp. nov. and Salsa tartara sp. nov.

Male (based on holotype, AM KS.70737) Total length 4.0. Carapace 2.1 long, 1.7 wide, brown, slightly paler in cephalic area (Fig. 22A). Eye diameter AME 0.14, ALE 0.13, PME 0.09, PLE 0.09; row of eyes: AME 0.43, PME 0.38, PLE 1.40. Chelicerae orange-brown; with four promarginal teeth (second basal largest) and three retromarginal teeth (basal largest). Legs yellowish brown mottled in grey on joints; femora I and II basally orange-brown (Fig. 22A, B). Leg formula I > II > IV > III; length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): I – 2.4 + 1.1 + 1.9 + 1.9 + 0.8 = 8.1, II – 2.0 + 0.9 + 1.6 + 1.7 + 0.7 = 6.9, III – 1.2 + 0.6 + 0.7 + 0.7 + 0.45 = 3.65, IV – 1.6 + 0.7 + 1.2 + 1.2 + 0.6 = 5.3. Labium 0.31 long, 0.45, brown; endites orange-brown (Fig. 22B). Sternum 1.0 long, 0.8 wide, orange-brown with dusky discolourations (Fig. 22B). Abdomen 2.2 long, 1.9 wide, dorsum with beige background and olive-grey, irregular folium, laterally dark olive-grey with dark streaks (Fig. 22A); venter olive-brown, laterally with thin, irregular white lines (Fig. 22B). Pedipalp length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + cymbium = total length): 0.4 + 0.15 + 0.15 + 0.6 = 1.3; paracymbium short with pronounced base and slightly curved apically (Fig. 22D); median apophysis C-shaped, basally pronounced and with an acute and apically curved pointed tip (Fig. 22C); conductor lobe spatulate (Fig. 22C); terminal apophysis sub-rectangular; conductor strongly sclerotised and curved basally (Fig. 22C); embolus short and strongly sclerotised.

Figure 22. 

Salsa tartara sp. nov., male holotype (AM KS.70737) A dorsal habitus B ventral habitus C left pedipalp, ventral view D left pedipalp, dorsal view. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B); 0.2 mm (C, D).

Female (based on AM KS.70661): Total length 6.5. Carapace 2.5 long, 2.1 wide; colouration and setae largely as in male (Fig. 23A). Eye diameter AME 0.16, ALE 0.14, PME 0.11, PLE 0.10; row of eyes: AME 0.47, PME 0.45, PLE 1.92. Chelicerae colour hue as in male, four promarginal teeth (apical and second basal largest) and three retromarginal (basal largest). Legs similar to male but leg I femora basally not orange (Fig. 23A, B). Pedipalp length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + tarsus = total length): 0.7 + 0.3 + 0.4 + 0.8 = 2.2. Leg formula I > II > IV > III; length of segments (femur + patella + tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): I – 2.4 + 1.1 + 1.9 + 2.0 + 0.8 = 8.2, II – 2.0 + 1.0 + 1.7 + 1.6 + 0.7 = 7.0, III – 1.4 + 0.6 + 0.7 + 0.7 + 0.5 = 3.9, IV – 1.9 + 0.9 + 1.3 + 1.4 + 0.7 = 6.2. Labium 0.18 long, 0.29 wide, brown; endites dark brown (Fig. 23B). Sternum 1.2 long, 1.0 wide, dark brown (Fig. 23B). Abdomen 4.0 long, 4.2 wide, sub-triangular with distinct humeral humps, dorsally mottled olive-grey and white, with darker spots anteriorly and postero-laterally; folium pattern indistinct (Fig. 23A); venter as in male (Fig. 23B). Epigyne plate longer than wide and composed of two separate sections; borders thin and atrium wide; scape slightly longer than half of epigyne base, sinuous in lateral view (Fig. 23C, D); central division almost sub-rectangular, somewhat wider ventrally (Fig. 23E). Spermathecae enlarged, occupying most of the epigyne area (Fig. 5F).

Figure 23. 

Salsa tartara sp. nov., female (AM KS.70661) A dorsal habitus B ventral habitus C epigyne, ventral view D epigyne, lateral view E epigyne, posterior view. Scale bars: 2 mm (A, B); 0.2 mm (C–E).

Only one additional male was measured, total length 5.1; females 5.2–7.2 (n = 5). Four of the five specimens we analysed had broken-off scapes. There is little colour variation in the specimens examined for this study, although most females have a more prominent folium, similar to the male examined here.

All mature specimens of S. tartara sp. nov. were collected in February and March, but collection numbers are too low to interpret the phenology of this species and may reflect a collection bias of expeditions to Lord Howe Island. But it appears that the species is (late) summer-mature to autumn-mature. There is no habitat information on the labels of any of the specimens collected, with the exception of one specimen collected in ‘litter’.

Salsa tartara sp. nov. is currently only known from Lord Howe Island and should be considered endemic to this island (Fig. 21).