Description and phylogenetic placement of Dorrigocosa, a new genus of Venoniinae (Araneae: Lycosidae) from Australia

A new monotypic genus of lycosids Dorrigocosa gen. nov. and the type species D. framenaui sp. nov. are described from the montane rainforests of eastern Australia. Phylogenetic analysis using nuclear and mitochondrial markers places Dorrigocosa within Venoniinae as a sister lineage to Anomalosa . The genus is distinguished from Venonia and Anomalosa by a set of somatic and genitalic characters, including a distinct colour pattern, the basal segment of the posterior spinnerets not elongated, a male palp with a sclerotized median apophysis and an epigyne with semicircular copulatory ducts. These small spiders are rainforest specialists, constructing silk retreats within decaying logs. Specimens were found exclusively from the highly restricted, isolated rainforests of Dorrigo National Park, New South Wales. Photographic records from the citizen science platform iNaturalist from nearby localities further support a strong association with this threatened habitat.