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Pensoft Publishers, Zoosystematics and Evolution, 1(98), p. 137-149, 2022

DOI: 10.3897/zse.98.82649

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A new genus of Australian orb-weaving spider with extreme sexual size dimorphism (Araneae, Araneidae)

Journal article published in 2022 by Volker W. Framenau ORCID, Pedro de S. Castanheira ORCID
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.
This paper is made freely available by the publisher.

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Abstract

The new Australian orb-weaving spider genus Mangrovia in the family Araneidae Clerck, 1757 is described. It is characterised by extreme sexual size-dimorphism (eSSD) with females (total length 8–10 mm) ca. 3 to 5 times larger than males (2.5–3 mm). Whilst Mangrovia shares with the informal Australian ‘backobourkiine’ clade a single seta on the male pedipalp patella, the genus is probably more closely related to the ‘zealaraneines’ or associated genera. In addition to eSSD and the single patellar spine, the genus is characterised by a distinct subterminal embolus branch in males. The new genus includes two species: the type species Mangrovia albida (L. Koch, 1871) comb. nov. (= Epeira fastidiosa Keyserling, 1887, new syn.) from Queensland and Mangrovia occidentalissp. nov. from Western Australia. Both species are apparently coastal and occur in mangroves, but also in riparian woodland. Spiders were found resting in rolled-up leaves adjacent to their orb-web.