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Tinytrema wombat Platnick, 2002 Wombat Creek Ant Mimic

Tinytrema is a genus of small, extremely flattened (almost paper-thin) spiders, with white spots on the abdomen simulating the appearance of a thorax-abdomen separation to help with ant mimicry. They have eight more or less equally sized eyes in two straight rows, the anterior median eyes circular and dark, the posterior median eyes irregularly rectangular with flattened lenses and a canoe-shaped tapetum present. The lateral eyes are oval. The abdomen of the male has a shiny, narrow dorsal scutum in male. Sensitive hairs or trichobothria present in three rows on tarsi, two on metatarsi and tibiae. Tinytrema wombat whose name comes from Wombat Ceek ACT, the location where it was found, until now was known only from from southeastern New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. This specimen from Mooloolah suggests the species and genera are more widespread, possibly overlooked due to its small size, ant mimicry and camouflage. The female's epigyne is distinctive because of relatively long epigynal ducts running lengthways. ♀ 2.5mm ♂ 2.2mm

Female adult from above, facing, oblique


TInytrema wombat
Photo: Brodie Foster

Female adult from above, image stack


Tinytrema wombat
Photo: Brodie Foster

Female adult from side, image stack


Tinytrema wombat
Photo: Brodie Foster

Female adult from below, image stack


Tinytrema wombat
Photo: Brodie Foster

Female adult epigyne, image stack


Tinytrema wombat
Photo: Brodie Foster

Habitat


Tinytrema wombat
Photo: Brodie Foster

References


 
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