(Progradungula
otwayensis Milledge, 1997, Gradungulidae, Araneae): Natural history, first
description of the female and micro-computed tomography of the male palpal
organ
The recently described cribellate gradungulid Progradungula
otwayensis Milledge, 1997 is endemic to the Great Otway National Park
(Victoria, Australia) and known from only one male and a few juvenile
specimens. In a recent survey we recorded 47 specimens at several localities across
the western part of the Great Otway National park. Our field data suggest that
this species is dependant on the microclimate in the hollows of old myrtle
beech trees since other hollow trees were very much less inhabited.
Furthermore, we describe the female for the first time and study the male
palpal organ by using X-ray microtomography. The female genitalia are
characterized by eight spermathecae which are grouped in two quartets. The
spermophor resembles the general organization of gradungulids, but is similar
to Kaiya Gray, 1987 by a convoluted appearance within the embolus. The muscle
30 is located in the cymbium and resembles the organization of other
non-entelegyne Araneomorphae.