Trapdoor spiders of the genus Misgolas (Mygalomorphae: Idiopidae) in the Sydney region, Australia, with notes on synonymies attributed to M. rapax

Abstract

This paper reports on the species of the Idiopid trapdoor spider genus Misgolas Karsch, 1878 found in the Sydney Region of New South Wales, Australia. They comprise seven new species: M. lynabra n.sp., M. cliffi n.sp., M. trangae n.sp., M. wayorum n.sp., M. rodi n.sp., M. beni n.sp. and M. michaeli n.sp.; and four species which are rediagnosed or redescribed here: Arbanitis gracilis, Dyarcyops maculosus, D. melancholicus and Megalosara villosa. The latter two species, plus Arbanitis fuscipes, Dyarcyops ionthus, Dyarcyops montanus and Arbanitis chisholmi are removed from synonymy with M. rapax. Their current or revised status is listed. This latter species, popularly known as the Sydney Brown Trapdoor Spider, is shown not to occur in the Sydney Region. A key for males of species within the region is presented, as well as distribution maps and comments on taxonomy and natural history.