Rosemary's Grass Orb-weaver Plebs rosemaryae Joseph & Framenau, 2012

(after Joseph & Framenau 2012): Based on somatic characters and overall morphology of the pedipalp, P. rosemaryae males bear strong resemblances to P. arletteae. However, there are subtle differences in the pedipalp morphology, which differentiate the two species. For instance, the apical tips of the median apophysis are comparatively smaller in P. rosemaryae than in P. arletteae. Females of P. rosemaryae have an epigynal scape that is convoluted at the base similarly to those of P. cyphoxis and P. opacus. However, the scape of P. rosemaryae differs from that of P. cyphoxis in the incidence of a single curve at its base in all observed specimens as opposed to multiple convolutions in P. cyphoxis. Additionally, the scape of P. cyphoxis has a wrinkled texture along its entire length and tapers gradually towards the distal end, whereas in P. rosemaryae, the scape is generally smooth in appearance and tapers rather abruptly towards the distal end. The major difference in the scape morphology between P. rosemaryae and P. opacus is in the degree of the basal curvature. It is sharp and prominent in P. rosemaryae, in comparison to a shallower curve in P. opacus. Further, in P. rosemaryae, the scape has an abrupt tapering towards the apex in contrast to the gradual tapering observed in P. opacus.

• native

• Norfolk and Lord Howe Islands
• Queensland