Kochosa aero sp. nov.

(Figs 6, 7A–C)

Holotype. Female, Aerodrome Road Nature Reserve, East, site LK11 (33º28'27″S 119º44'31E, Western Australia, AUSTRALIA), 15 October 1999 – 1 November 2000, P. van Heurck et al., wet pitfall trap (WAM T67839).

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the type locality, Aerodrome Road Nature Reserve.

Other material examined. Only known from holotype.

Diagnosis. The epigyne of K. aero sp. nov. is unlike any other in the genus, with raised sinuous edges and forming a deep longitudinal channel (Fig. 7C). The male of the species is unknown.

Description

Male. Unknown.

Female (based on holotype, WAM T67839).

Cephalothorax. Dorsally dark brown; central lighter band narrowing posteriorly; broad lateral lighter bands (Fig. 7A). Sternum black (Fig. 7B).

Abdomen. Dorsally orange-brown, cardiac mark barely discernible; lateral flanks very dark brown to black (Fig. 7A); ventrally dark brown with lighter epigyne (Fig. 7B).

Epigyne. Ventral view: deep longitudinal channel ending in posterior lip (Fig. 7C); dorsal view: not examined to not compromise the single specimen of the species.

Legs. Annulated black and light brown, distinct almost white central rings on tibiae and metatarsi of legs I and II (Fig. 7B); spination of leg I: femur: 3 dorsal, 1 apicoprolateral; patella: 1 apicodorsal; tibia: 3 ventral pairs, metatarsus: 3 ventral pairs, 1 apicoventral, 2 prolateral.

Measurements. TL 3.91, CL 2.34, CW 1.88. Eyes: AME 0.09, ALE 0.07, PME 0.26, PLE 0.23. Row of eyes: AE 0.51, PME 0.72, PLE 0.93. Sternum (length/width) 0.92/0.88. Labium (length/width) not measured due to poor condition. AL 1.72, AW 1.41. Legs: Length of segments (femur + patella/tibia + metatarsus + tarsus = total length): Pedipalp 0.74+0.86+-+0.81=2.42, I 1.51+1.74+1.14+0.81=5.21, II 1.33+1.67+1.23+0.77=5.00, III 1.26+1.51+1.33 +0.74=4.84, IV 1.98+2.23+1.70+0.98=6.88.

Life history and habitat preferences. Unknown, as only known from a single female from a long-term pitfall trap study.

Distribution. Kochosa aero sp. nov. is only known from its type locality north-west of Ravensthorpe in southwestern Western Australia (Fig. 6).