Bioacoustics of Cryptachaea

Comments. Yoshida (2008) first transferred C. veruculata into the genus Cryptachaea , diagnosed partly by fusion of the median apophysis and embolus. In a superficial examination, these sclerites can be seen separately in both C. veruculata and C. gigantipes (Figs 14, 16). Further examination of these species shows that both sclerites are indeed fused onto a common base, but possibly retain some flexibility by the membranous sections (Fig. 15). The sclerotised part of the base of the median apophysis bears a prominent medial knob, which cradles the base of the embolus. Furthermore, there is a fleshy lobe with a sclerotised tip extending ventrally from the fused part of the median apophysis/embolus (shown as the latter in C. veruculata by Merrett & Rowe 1961 : fig. 5). The lobe locates firmly in a proventral pocket in the conductor base. This pocket is visible externally as a dark outline in both species (e.g. Fig. 12). These features distinguish the two Australasian species from the cosmopolitan Cryptachaea blattea , in which the embolus and median apophysis are fused but neither the knob nor lobe/pocket is present ( C. blattea specimen examined: AM KS 116774, Stokes Valley, Wellington, NZ , coll. B.M. Fitzgerald, Oct. 2011 ). We also note that the males of the three Cryptachaea species discussed here possess cephalothoracic stridulatory ridges and corresponding abdominal pegs. These characters are present in a number of theridiid genera ( Agnarsson 2004 ) but were not reported by Yoshida (2008) when he revalidated Cryptachaea .

Comments. Yoshida (2008) first transferred C. veruculata into the genus Cryptachaea , diagnosed partly by fusion of the median apophysis and embolus. In a superficial examination, these sclerites can be seen separately in both C. veruculata and C. gigantipes ( Figs 14, 16 ). Further examination of these species shows that both sclerites are indeed fused onto a common base, but possibly retain some flexibility by the membranous sections ( Fig. 15 ). The sclerotised part of the base of the median apophysis bears a prominent medial knob, which cradles the base of the embolus. Furthermore, there is a fleshy lobe with a sclerotised tip extending ventrally from the fused part of the median apophysis/embolus (shown as the latter in C. veruculata by Merrett & Rowe 1961 : fig. 5). The lobe locates firmly in a proventral pocket in the conductor base. This pocket is visible externally as a dark outline in both species (e.g. Fig. 12 ). These features distinguish the two Australasian species from the cosmopolitan Cryptachaea blattea , in which the embolus and median apophysis are fused but neither the knob nor lobe/pocket is present ( C. blattea specimen examined: AM KS116774, Stokes Valley, Wellington, NZ , coll. B.M. Fitzgerald, Oct. 2011 ). We also note that the males of the three Cryptachaea species discussed here possess cephalothoracic stridulatory ridges and corresponding abdominal pegs. These characters are present in a number of theridiid genera ( Agnarsson 2004 ) but were not reported by Yoshida (2008) when he revalidated Cryptachaea .