Misgolas Karsch 1878

Key to males of species in the genus Misgolas from the Sydney Region

1 Embolic apophysis absent; embolus not modified........................................................................ 2

—— Embolic apophysis present or embolus modified.......................................................................... 3

2 Large spider; embolus straight, narrow; embolic flange with about 7 folds, edge straight; DTA hooked............................................................................... M. villosus

—— Very small spider; embolus curved; embolic flange with about 5 folds, edge gently convexly curved; DTA absent................................................. M. lynabra n.sp.

3 Embolus with twisted ridge; embolic flange with one prominent fold; DTA straight.......................................................................................................... M. gracilis

—— Embolus without prominent ridge; embolic flange with multiple folds................................................................................................................................................ 4

4 Small spider; embolic apophysis placed midway; cymbium with dorsal bristles (not spines)......................................................................................... M. cliffi n.sp.

—— Cymbium with dorsal spines (not bristles).................................................................................... 5

5 Embolic apophysis placed about midway.......................................................... M. melancholicus

—— Embolic apophysis proximal or subdistal, (not placed midway).................................................. 6

6 Embolic apophysis proximal, adjacent to embolic flange................................... M. trangae n.sp.

—— Embolic apophysis subdistal.......................................................................................................... 7

7 Embolus sinuous; embolic flange with about 4–5 folds, at least 3 quite distinct........................................................................................................ M. wayorum n.sp.

—— Embolus straight; embolic flange with about 6–9 folds; embolic apophysis rl placed........................................................................................................................ 8

8 Cymbium dorsal spines inclined forward................................................................... M. rodi n.sp.

—— Cymbium dorsal spines erect or almost so.................................................................................... 9

9 Venter pale with few brown spots............................................................................... M. beni n.sp.

—— Venter entirely black............................................................................................ M. michaeli n.sp.

The male of M. maculosus is unknown. It is presumed to be a very small spider (similar to M. trangae) with characters as follows: carapace length c. 4.0– 5.5 mm, rd surface of metatarsi IV bare of spines or with weak spinules; venter with scattered brown spots.

Species determination from female characters is difficult and most conveniently undertaken by reference to distribution data and the figures provided. Note differences in venter patterns and, less reliably, the presence or absence of spines on the rd surface of metatarsi IV.