Venomius, a new monotypic genus of Australian orb-weaving spiders (Araneae, Araneidae)

By

Rossi, Giullia De F.
Castanheira, Pedro De Souza
Baptista, Renner Luiz Cerqueira.
Framenau, Volker Wilhelm

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2023-9-4

Original Publication

Evolutionary systematics

Volume

7

Series / Issue

Issue: 2

Pages

285--292

Subjects

Australia , monotypy , systematics , taxonomy

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Hamburg Centrum für Naturkunde (CeNak) 2017-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/evolsyst.7.110022

 

Abstract

A new monotypic Australian genus in the orb-weaving spider family Araneidae Clerck, 1757 is described, Venomiusgen. nov., with V. tomhardyisp. nov. as type species. Somatically, Venomiusgen. nov. is similar to the typical leaf-curling orb-weaving spiders, such as Phonognatha Simon, 1894 or Leviana Framenau & Kuntner, 2022, due to a similar elongate cylindrical abdomen and colouration; however, the genital morphology of the new genus is very different. Most unusual are the presence of two strong macrosetae on the male pedipalp tibia. Male pedipalp sclerites are complex, with diagnostic characters including the tibial macrosetae and a keeled median and a rounded basal process on the stipes. The epigyne of females is wholly covered by the scape that has a short median process. Venomius tomhardyigen. nov. et sp. nov. has been collected in southern Australia, from Tasmania to Western Australia, where it builds a circular, vertical orb-web. Spiders often hide in silk-lined hollows in branches of trees when disturbed during the day.