Taxonomy

Australoneon is an Australian genus found in south-eastern Australia. It includes five Australian species Australoneon christinae, A. keyserlingi, A, kochi, A. taylori, A. wanlessi, and A. zabkai. Australoneon is placed in the Neonini and so is closely related to Neon and Papuaneon. Further information on the genus and described species in Australia can be found in Richardson (2024).

Description

Australoneon spp. are small spiders, ranging in body lengths from 2.5 to 5.5 mm. The carapace is high, with a curved top, highest at the level of the posterior lateral eyes and gently sloping to the rear. The posterior lateral eyes are not on slightly raised bulges as they are in Papuaneon. The abdomen is as long as or longer than the cephalothorax. Chelicerae in both males and females may have a single retromarginal tooth (unident)) and one or two teeth opposite on the promargin. The first pair of legs is similar in shape to but longer than the others.

In the males, the embolus arises from a bulb placed on the mid-lateral side beside the tegulum It may be partially or entirely hidden behind the tegular shield and appears from behind the edge of the tegulum near the distal corner and curves away distally from the distal edge of the tegulum. The tegulum may or may not have a posterior lobe, varying in size between species The palpal tibia is short, with a laterally directed apophysis. The males in some species are difficult to distinguish.

The female’s epigyne varies in detail between species. There are two atria with weakly sclerotised guides. The insemination ducts open in the centre of the atria and travel posteriorly to join the distal  edge of the spermathecae at the connection between the two lobe-like receptacles. These receptacles are separated by a transverse or diagonal cleft. Their shape and position vary between species. The spermathecae are located close to the epigastric fold.

Biology

Australoneon has been found in litter and moss.

Distribution

Australoneon is found in high rainfall areas of eastern Australia from Tasmania to the Queensland/New South Wales border. It is primarily found in nothofagus forest but also in rainforest.

References

Richardson, B.J. 2024. A new genus of neonine jumping spiders (Araneae Salticidae, Neonini) from Australia.

* The information sheet should be read in the context of the associated diagrams and photographs. Diagrams explaining anatomical terms can be found in the ‘Salticidae’ pictures at the beginning of the list of genera.