Revisions of Australian ground-hunting spiders. V. A new lycosoid genus from eastern Australia (Araneae: Tengellidae)

Abstract

A new genus, Austrotengella, and six new species-A. toddae, A. hackerae, A. monteithi, A. wrighti, A. hebronae, A. plimeri-are described from eastern Australia. The genus presents difficulties in its family placement; its relationships are discussed. Downslope altitudinal changes of 400 metres on elevation in the distribution of A. toddae contradict predicted shifts from climate change and minimally indicate, in this case at least, that temperature is clearly not the main driver of altitudinal models, which are considered to be far too simplistic.