Biological anachronisms among trapdoor spiders reflect Australia's environmental changes since the Mesozoic

Description of three new species of Ceratocader (Hemiptera: Heteroptera: Tingidae) from Western Australia

“…This area not only features a distinct genetic population of Karri (Coates and Sokolowski, 1989), but is a recognised hotspot of endemism for other invertebrates due to its high rainfall and mountainous terrain (e.g. Moir et al 2009), and as a historical refugium for invertebrates from past sea level changes and aridity (Main 1999). Ceratocader langlandsi is found at Queen Victoria Springs Nature Reserve, which is recognised as a unique area where several habitat types overlap and result in high plant diversity (Langlands et al 2006).…”

The spider families Synotaxidae and Malkaridae (Arachnida: Araneae: Araneoidea) in Western Australia

“…Beyond the tall eucalypt forests of the extreme south-west, truly mesic refugial habitats are more spatially isolated, usually restricted to coastal or uplifted landforms of higher altitude. Among the more obvious of these landforms are ancient coastal granitic peaks and the extraordinary mountains of the Stirling Range National Park, which capture moisture-laden clouds moving north from the Southern Ocean, creating wet montane heathlands and shaded, mesic gullies on southern slopes (Main 1999) . These small, largely isolated montane habitats are home to a remarkable diversity of short-range endemic species (Harvey 2002c), including many southerntemperate invertebrate taxa.…”

“…These small, largely isolated montane habitats are home to a remarkable diversity of short-range endemic species (Harvey 2002c), including many southerntemperate invertebrate taxa. Indeed, the peaks and south-facing gullies of the Stirling Ranges are renowned for their relictual invertebrate fauna, which includes spiders of the families Archaeidae and Migidae, along with many other arachnid, myriapod and gastropod taxa (see Hopper et al 1996;Main 1999;Harvey 2002bHarvey , 2002cRix 2006; and references therein).…”

Biosystematics of Australian mygalomorph spiders: descriptions of three new species of Teyl from Victoria (Araneae: Nemesiidae)

“…Teyl luculentus Main, 1975 is the only named species attributed to the genus. However, many undescribed species are recognised in south-western Western Australia and further north in the Carnarvon Basin (Main, 1985b, 1996, 1999, Main et al, 2000. While it was formerly stated that the genus was confined to south-western Western Australia (Main, 1985b) examination of specimens in the South Australian Museum and Museum Victoria shows that it also occurs in Eyre Peninsula and western Victoria (Main, 1996(Main, : 168, 1997(Main, : 119, 1999.…”

“…While it was formerly stated that the genus was confined to south-western Western Australia (Main, 1985b) examination of specimens in the South Australian Museum and Museum Victoria shows that it also occurs in Eyre Peninsula and western Victoria (Main, 1996(Main, : 168, 1997(Main, : 119, 1999. Main (1999) suggested that the distribution of Teyl was fragmented in southern Australia during the Cretaceous inundation of central Australia and that the radiation of the genus in southern Western Australia has resulted from the continuing isolation in relictual habitats which have retained aspects of Gondwanan conditions. Similarly, occurrence of the genus in Eyre Peninsula and western Victoria may be related to persistence of microhabitats simulating Gondwanan characteristics.…”