Beach Wolf Spider Tetralycosa oraria (L. Koch, 1876)

(after Framenau & Hudson 2017): Tetralycosa oraria is very similar to T. orariola. In particular the female genitalia are indistinguishable and separating both species is easiest by the colouration of the carapace. The lateral light bands of T. oraria are wide, although sometimes irregular, and run straight along the carapace margin. In contrast, the light bands in T. orariola are narrow and separated from the carapace margins by narrow dark bands. Tetralycosa oraria is overall larger than T. orariola, but sizes overlap. The wide and light marginal bands of the carapace are similar to those of T. wundurra, however, both species differ in their genital morphology. The embolus of the male pedipalp in T. wundurra is very broad narrowing abruptly at more than three quarters length into a slim tip, whereas it is of similar width along its whole length and twisted apically in T. oraria. The median septum of the epigyne of T. oraria has a distinct bridge with parallel borders, which is not present in T. wundurra.

Tetralycosa oraria is only found on coastal beaches and sand dunes, whereas T. orariola and T. wundurra are inland species.

• native

• New South Wales
• South Australia
• Tasmania
• Victoria
• Western Australia