Introduction

These are robber or pirate spiders, 3-clawed spiders that enter the webs of other spiders to prey on them. All native Australian mimetid species were transferred to the genus Australomimetus by Harms and Harvey (2009a, b), thus removing the genus Mimetus from the Australian faunal list. The cosmopolitan genus Ero is represented in the region by a single, probably introduced, species.

Excluded Taxa

Misidentifications

MIMETIDAE: Mimetus Hentz, 1831

Diagnosis

Ecribellate 3-clawed araneioid spiders with legs extremely long, slender and prolateral tibiae and metatarsi I, II with a row of alternating short and long curved spines. They are characterised by a row of large curved spines interspersed with six to seven smaller spines along the prolateral margin of tibiae and metartarsi I and II; chelicerae long, slender, usually fused at the base; colulus present; and one trichobothrium on metatarsi, none on tarsi.

General References

Harms, D. & Harvey, M.S. 2009. A review of the pirate spiders of Tasmania (Arachnida, Mimetidae, Australomimetus) with description of a new species. Journal of Arachnology 37: 188-205

Harms, D. & Harvey, M.S. 2009. Australian pirates: systematics and phylogeny of the Australasian pirate spiders (Araneae: Mimetidae), with a description of the Western Australian fauna. Invertebrate Systematics 23: 231-280

History of changes

• Australomimetus Heimer, S. 1986. Notes on the spider family Mimetidae with description of a new genus from Australia (Arachnida, Araneae). Entomologische Abhandlungen. Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde Dresden 49: 113-137 [115-116].

  Type species:

   Mimetus maculosus Rainbow, 1904 by original designation.

Introduction

Heimer (1986) provided a very brief description for the genus, and no diagnosis; much additional information, including diagnosis and description, is provided by Harms & Harvey (2009, 2 papers).

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

IBRA

NSW, NT, Qld, Tas, Vic, WA: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Ben Lomond (BEL), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Desert Uplands (DEU), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Flinders (FLI), NSW North Coast (NNC), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Coastal Plain (SCP), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Tasmanian Central Highlands (TCH), Tasmanian Northern Midlands (TNM), Tasmanian Southern Ranges (TSR), Tasmanian West (TWE), Warren (WAR), Wet Tropics (WT) ; NSW, Qld: New England Tablelands (NET) ; NSW, Qld, Tas, Vic, WA: Tasmanian Northern Slopes (TNS) ; Qld, Tas, Vic, WA: Esperance Plains (ESP), Jarrah Forest (JF), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA) ; Tas, Vic: NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Riverina (RIV), Tasmanian South East (TSE) ; WA: Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Mallee (MAL)

Other Regions

Lord Howe Island terrestrial & freshwater

General References

Harms, D. & Harvey, M.S. 2009. A review of the pirate spiders of Tasmania (Arachnida, Mimetidae, Australomimetus) with description of a new species. Journal of Arachnology 37: 188-205 [189-193]

Harms, D. & Harvey, M.S. 2009. Australian pirates: systematics and phylogeny of the Australasian pirate spiders (Araneae: Mimetidae), with a description of the Western Australian fauna. Invertebrate Systematics 23: 231-280 [242-245]

History of changes

• Australomimetus annulipes Heimer, S. 1986. Notes on the spider family Mimetidae with description of a new genus from Australia (Arachnida, Araneae). Entomologische Abhandlungen. Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde Dresden 49: 113-137 [118 fig 6].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM KS5823 ♀, NSW: Lord Howe Island.
  Paratype(s) AM KS5822 2 ♀, same locality as holotype
  Comment: male unknown.

Distribution

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

Australian Endemic.

Other Regions

Lord Howe Island terrestrial & freshwater

History of changes

• Mimetus audax Hickman, V.V. 1929. Studies in Tasmanian Spiders. Pt III. Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 1928: 96-118 [107-110 figs 4A-E, 5 pl 17].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) QVM 13:7338 ♀ adult (old reg no. 36), Launceston, TAS; whereabouts unknown 2 ♀ (not located by Harms & Harvey (2009)), same locality as holotype
  Comment: updated from information in Harms & Harvey (2009); male unknown.

Generic Combinations

• Mimetus audax Hickman, 1929.
• Australomimetus audax (Hickman, 1929). —
  Harms, D. & Harvey, M.S. 2009. A review of the pirate spiders of Tasmania (Arachnida, Mimetidae, Australomimetus) with description of a new species. Journal of Arachnology 37: 188-205 [193-194 figs 1a-e, 10] (transfer to Australomimetus)

Distribution

States

Tasmania, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Rare, known only from Launceston, possibly Hobart (Hickman, 1967) and a single specimen from northern Victoria. Harms & Harvey (2009) suggest that Hickman thought the species was far more widespread due to confusion with the then undescribed species A. mendax Harms & Harvey. However, Harms & Harvey do not list Hickman's Hobart record for either species

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

Tas, Vic: NSW South Western Slopes (NSS), Riverina (RIV), Tasmanian Northern Midlands (TNM), Tasmanian South East (TSE)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Nomadic, predator.

General References

Davies, V.T. 1985. Araneomorphae (in part). pp. 49-125 in Walton, D.W. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia Vol. 3 Mygalomorphae, Araneomorphae in part, Pseudoscorpionida, Amblypygi and Palpigradi. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service 183 pp. [90]

Hickman, V.V. 1967. Some Common Spiders of Tasmania. Hobart : Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery 112 pp. [50-52 figs 87-89 pl. 9 fig. 1]

History of changes

• Mimetus aurioculatus Hickman, V.V. 1929. Studies in Tasmanian Spiders. Pt III. Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 1928: 96-118 [110-114 figs 6A-C, 7A-C] [emendations aureoculatus by Bonnet and auriculatus by Roewer are considered invalid under Art. 32(ii) of ICZN].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) QVM 13:7337 ♂ 2♀ adult (old type no. 35), Punch Bowl, Launceston, TAS
  Comment: Harms & Harvey (2009, redescription) list the male as holotype and list a single female paratype. Hickman did not specify a holotype and the specimens share a single registration number.

Generic Combinations

• Mimetus aurioculatus Hickman, 1929. —
  Davies, V.T. 1985. Araneomorphae (in part). pp. 49-125 in Walton, D.W. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia Vol. 3 Mygalomorphae, Araneomorphae in part, Pseudoscorpionida, Amblypygi and Palpigradi. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service 183 pp. [90]
• Australomimetus aurioculatus (Hickman, 1929). —
  Harms, D. & Harvey, M.S. 2009. A review of the pirate spiders of Tasmania (Arachnida, Mimetidae, Australomimetus) with description of a new species. Journal of Arachnology 37: 188-205 [194 figs 2a-f, 3A-B, 4] (transfer to Australomimetus)
  Harms, D. & Harvey, M.S. 2009. Australian pirates: systematics and phylogeny of the Australasian pirate spiders (Araneae: Mimetidae), with a description of the Western Australian fauna. Invertebrate Systematics 23: 231-280 [247-250 figs 2A-E, 7A-D, 8A-F, 9, 28A] (redescription; included in phylogeny)

Distribution

States

Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

Qld, Tas, Vic, WA: Esperance Plains (ESP), Flinders (FLI), Jarrah Forest (JF), South East Coastal Plain (SCP), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Tasmanian Northern Midlands (TNM), Tasmanian Northern Slopes (TNS), Tasmanian Southern Ranges (TSR), Warren (WAR)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Nomadic, predator.

General References

Davies, V.T. 1985. Araneomorphae (in part). pp. 49-125 in Walton, D.W. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia Vol. 3 Mygalomorphae, Araneomorphae in part, Pseudoscorpionida, Amblypygi and Palpigradi. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service 183 pp. [90]

History of changes

• Australomimetus burnetti Heimer, S. 1986. Notes on the spider family Mimetidae with description of a new genus from Australia (Arachnida, Araneae). Entomologische Abhandlungen. Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde Dresden 49: 113-137 [118-120 figs 7-9].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM S1332 ♂, Qld: Lockerbie.
  Paratype(s) QM S30708 1 ♀, Qld: Burnett Range, via Tansey.

Generic Combinations

• Australomimetus burnetti Heimer, 1986.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Additional record (NE Qld) in Heimer (1989)

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

NSW, Qld: Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Sydney Basin (SB), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Distribution References

History of changes

• Mimetus catulli Heimer, S. 1989. Some new mimetid spiders from north Queensland, Australia (Arachnida, Araneae, Mimetidae). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 27: 433-435 [433-434 figs 1, 2].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM S6741 ♂, Qld: Bellenden Ker Range, cableway base station
  Comment: female unknown.

Generic Combinations

• Australomimetus catulli (Heimer, 1989). —
  Harms, D. & Harvey, M.S. 2009. Australian pirates: systematics and phylogeny of the Australasian pirate spiders (Araneae: Mimetidae), with a description of the Western Australian fauna. Invertebrate Systematics 23: 231-280 [244 fig 29A] (transfer to Australomimetus); included in phylogeny)

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Two additional localities in SE Queensland listed by Harms & Harvey (2009: 275)

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

Qld: South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Distribution References

History of changes

• Australomimetus childersiensis Heimer, S. 1986. Notes on the spider family Mimetidae with description of a new genus from Australia (Arachnida, Araneae). Entomologische Abhandlungen. Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde Dresden 49: 113-137 [120 fig 10].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM ♀, Qld: Mt Goonaneman, near Childers
  Comment: male unknown.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

Qld: South Eastern Queensland (SEQ)

History of changes

• Australomimetus daviesianus Heimer, S. 1986. Notes on the spider family Mimetidae with description of a new genus from Australia (Arachnida, Araneae). Entomologische Abhandlungen. Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde Dresden 49: 113-137 [121 figs 11-13].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM S1334 ♂, Qld: Mt Hartley.
  Paratype(s) QM S30711 2 ♀, Qld: Mt Finlay.
• Australomimetus andreae Heimer, S. 1989. Some new mimetid spiders from north Queensland, Australia (Arachnida, Araneae, Mimetidae). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 27: 433-435 [434-435 figs 5, 6].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM S6743 ♂, Qld: Bellenden Ker Range, 0.5 km S of cable tower 7.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Harms, D. & Harvey, M.S. 2009. Australian pirates: systematics and phylogeny of the Australasian pirate spiders (Araneae: Mimetidae), with a description of the Western Australian fauna. Invertebrate Systematics 23: 231-280 [243]

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Additional localities (all peaks in the Wet Tropics) listed by Heimer (1989: 435) and Harms & Harvey (2009: 275)

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

Qld: Wet Tropics (WT)

Distribution References

History of changes

• Australomimetus diabolicus Harms, D. & Harvey, M.S. 2009. Australian pirates: systematics and phylogeny of the Australasian pirate spiders (Araneae: Mimetidae), with a description of the Western Australian fauna. Invertebrate Systematics 23: 231-280 [250-253 figs1A, 10A-E, 11A-D, 22, 28B, J].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM T78308 ♂, WA: Torndirrup National Park, Eclipse Rd [35°05′18"S 117°54′44"E].
  Paratype(s) WAM T46872 2 ♀, WA: Margaret River region, Boranup Road, 19 km S of Margaret River [37°07′S 115°03′E]
  Comment: additional paratype males and females in WAM, Perth; refer to Harms & Harvey (2009) for details.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

WA: Warren (WAR)

History of changes

• Australomimetus djuka Harms, D. & Harvey, M.S. 2009. Australian pirates: systematics and phylogeny of the Australasian pirate spiders (Araneae: Mimetidae), with a description of the Western Australian fauna. Invertebrate Systematics 23: 231-280 [253-256 figs 12A-D, 13A-D, 16, 28G].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM T46926 ♂, WA: Yanchep National Park, Cave YN-96 [31°32′S 115°40′E].
  Paratype(s) WAM T46927 1 ♀, WA: Yanchep National Park, Carpark Cave YN-362 [31°32′S 115°40′E]
  Comment: additional paratype males and females in WAM, Perth; refer to Harms & Harvey (2009) for details.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

WA: Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Warren (WAR)

History of changes

• Australomimetus dunlopi Harms, D. & Harvey, M.S. 2009. Australian pirates: systematics and phylogeny of the Australasian pirate spiders (Araneae: Mimetidae), with a description of the Western Australian fauna. Invertebrate Systematics 23: 231-280 [256-257 figs 14A-C, 16, 28C].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM T74827 ♀, WA, Shannon National Park, Dog Pool [34°46′S 116°22′E].
  Paratype(s) WAM T55054-5 2 ♀, WA: Jarrahdale, ALCOA mine area [32°16′S 116°06′E]
  Comment: male unknown.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

WA: Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Warren (WAR)

History of changes

• Mimetus hannemanni Heimer, S. 1989. Some new mimetid spiders from north Queensland, Australia (Arachnida, Araneae, Mimetidae). Memoirs of the Queensland Museum 27: 433-435 [434 figs 3, 4].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM S6742 ♂, Qld: Bellenden Ker Range, cable tower 3.

Generic Combinations

• Australomimetus hannemanni (Heimer, 1989). —
  Harms, D. & Harvey, M.S. 2009. Australian pirates: systematics and phylogeny of the Australasian pirate spiders (Araneae: Mimetidae), with a description of the Western Australian fauna. Invertebrate Systematics 23: 231-280 [244] (transfer to Australomimetus; included in phylogeny)

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

An additional record is listed by Harms & Harvey (2009: 295)

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

Qld: Wet Tropics (WT)

Distribution References

History of changes

• Australomimetus hartleyensis Heimer, S. 1986. Notes on the spider family Mimetidae with description of a new genus from Australia (Arachnida, Araneae). Entomologische Abhandlungen. Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde Dresden 49: 113-137 [121-123 fig 14].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM S1335 ♀, Qld: Mt Hartley.
  Paratype(s) QM S1336 1 ♀, same locality as holotype.

Generic Combinations

• Australomimetus hartleyensis Heimer, 1986. —
  Harms, D. & Harvey, M.S. 2009. Australian pirates: systematics and phylogeny of the Australasian pirate spiders (Araneae: Mimetidae), with a description of the Western Australian fauna. Invertebrate Systematics 23: 231-280 [fig 29C] (included in phylogeny; male palpus figured but male not described)

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Additional locality listed by Harms & Harvey (2009: 275)

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

Qld: Wet Tropics (WT)

Distribution References

General References

Harms, D. & Harvey, M.S. 2009. Australian pirates: systematics and phylogeny of the Australasian pirate spiders (Araneae: Mimetidae), with a description of the Western Australian fauna. Invertebrate Systematics 23: 231-280

History of changes

• Australomimetus hertelianus Heimer, S. 1986. Notes on the spider family Mimetidae with description of a new genus from Australia (Arachnida, Araneae). Entomologische Abhandlungen. Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde Dresden 49: 113-137 [123 fig 15].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM KS5836 ♀ (with egg sac), Qld: Edmonton.
  Paratype(s) AM KS5837 1 ♀, locality as holotype
  Comment: male unknown.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

Qld: Wet Tropics (WT)

History of changes

• Australomimetus hirsutus Heimer, S. 1986. Notes on the spider family Mimetidae with description of a new genus from Australia (Arachnida, Araneae). Entomologische Abhandlungen. Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde Dresden 49: 113-137 [129-131 figs 32-36].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM S1337 ♂, Qld: Spear Creek.
  Paratype(s) QM S1338 1 ♂, 1 ♀, 1 juv, same locality as holotype.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Additional records listed by Heimer (1989: 435) and Harms & Harvey (2009: 275)

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

Qld: Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Wet Tropics (WT)

Distribution References

History of changes

• Australomimetus kioloensis Heimer, S. 1986. Notes on the spider family Mimetidae with description of a new genus from Australia (Arachnida, Araneae). Entomologische Abhandlungen. Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde Dresden 49: 113-137 [123-124 fig 16].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM KS2025 ♀, NSW: Kioloa S.F., 16 km N of Bateman's Bay
  Comment: male unknown.

Distribution

States

New South Wales

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

NSW: South East Corner (SEC)

History of changes

• Mimetus maculosus Rainbow, W.J. 1904. Studies in Australian Araneidae. No. 3. Records of the Australian Museum 5: 326-336 [330-332 figs 40-42 pl 46 figs 5-6].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) AM KS5821 ♂ 5♀ adult, Jenolan Caves District, NSW
  Comment: Heimer (1986: 124) notes that only one female of the type series is present, with a note on the label: "This specimen is a representative of the TYPE lot". Types were not examined by Harms & Harvey (2009).

Generic Combinations

• Australomimetus maculosus (Rainbow, 1904). —
  Heimer, S. 1986. Notes on the spider family Mimetidae with description of a new genus from Australia (Arachnida, Araneae). Entomologische Abhandlungen. Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde Dresden 49: 113-137 [124 figs 17-23] (transfer to Australomimetus (as type species))
  Harms, D. & Harvey, M.S. 2009. A review of the pirate spiders of Tasmania (Arachnida, Mimetidae, Australomimetus) with description of a new species. Journal of Arachnology 37: 188-205 [194-198 figs 5A-F, 6A-E, 7] (redescription)

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria

Extra Distribution Information

Eastern Australia, from Tasmania to tropical Queensland. Harms & Harvey (2009) detail (and map) Tasmanian records, also list many Queensland and some Victorian records, mostly from suburban Melbourne. See also Heimer (1986)

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

NSW, Qld, Tas, Vic: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Ben Lomond (BEL), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Desert Uplands (DEU), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), NSW North Coast (NNC), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Coastal Plain (SCP), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Tasmanian Northern Midlands (TNM), Tasmanian Northern Slopes (TNS), Wet Tropics (WT)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Nomadic, predator.

History of changes

• Australomimetus mendax Harms, D. & Harvey, M.S. 2009. A review of the pirate spiders of Tasmania (Arachnida, Mimetidae, Australomimetus) with description of a new species. Journal of Arachnology 37: 188-205 [198-201 figs 8A-B, 9A-E, 10].

  Type data:

   Holotype QVM 13:44524 ♂, Tas: Wombat Hill [41°29′S 145°26′E].
  Paratype(s) QVM 13:44524 2 ♀, same data as holotype
  Comment: additional paratype males and females in QVM, Launceston and QM, Brisbane; refer to Harms & Harvey (2009) for details.

Distribution

States

Tasmania

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

Tas: Ben Lomond (BEL), Tasmanian Central Highlands (TCH), Tasmanian Southern Ranges (TSR), Tasmanian West (TWE)

History of changes

• Australomimetus miniatus Heimer, S. 1986. Notes on the spider family Mimetidae with description of a new genus from Australia (Arachnida, Araneae). Entomologische Abhandlungen. Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde Dresden 49: 113-137 [131 figs 37-40].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM S1339 ♂, Qld: Gordon, Iron Ranche [sic, probably Gordon Creek, Iron Range].
  Paratype(s) QM S1340 ♀, same data as holotype.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

Qld: Cape York Peninsula (CYP)

History of changes

• Australomimetus nasoi Harms, D. & Harvey, M.S. 2009. Australian pirates: systematics and phylogeny of the Australasian pirate spiders (Araneae: Mimetidae), with a description of the Western Australian fauna. Invertebrate Systematics 23: 231-280 [257-259 figs 15A-D, 16, 28E].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM T46879 ♂, WA: east of Wandering-Narrogin road, Dryandra Woodland [32°45′35"S 117°07′15"E].
  Paratype(s) WAM T46880 1 ♂, WA: Grasspatch, Fitz. Loc. 41 [33°14′S 121°43′E]
  Comment: female unknown.

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

WA: Avon Wheatbelt (AW), Mallee (MAL)

History of changes

• Australomimetus pseudomaculosus Heimer, S. 1986. Notes on the spider family Mimetidae with description of a new genus from Australia (Arachnida, Araneae). Entomologische Abhandlungen. Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde Dresden 49: 113-137 [124-126 figs 24, 25].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM S1341 ♂, Qld: Nagarigoon, Lamington National Park.
  Paratype(s) QM S1342 1 ♀, locality as holotype.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Harms & Harvey (2009 (phylogeny & WA taxa): 238) state, "Some species, such as [...] A. pseudomaculatus, have wide distributions along the entire eastern coast of Australia". Only the published records of Harms & Harvey and Heimer are shown here. Harms & Harvey (2009, Tasmanian spp) state that this species does not appear to occur in Tasmania.

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

NSW, Qld: New England Tablelands (NET), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ)

Distribution References

History of changes

• Australomimetus raveni Heimer, S. 1986. Notes on the spider family Mimetidae with description of a new genus from Australia (Arachnida, Araneae). Entomologische Abhandlungen. Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde Dresden 49: 113-137 [126-127 fig 26].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM S1343 ♀, Qld: Boonjee
  Comment: male unknown.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

Qld: Wet Tropics (WT)

History of changes

• Australomimetus robustus Heimer, S. 1986. Notes on the spider family Mimetidae with description of a new genus from Australia (Arachnida, Araneae). Entomologische Abhandlungen. Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde Dresden 49: 113-137 [127-128 fig 27].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM S1344 ♀, Qld: Rochedale
  Comment: male unknown.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Additional record given by Harms & Harvey (2009: 275)

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

Qld: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ)

Distribution References

History of changes

• Australomimetus spinosus Heimer, S. 1986. Notes on the spider family Mimetidae with description of a new genus from Australia (Arachnida, Araneae). Entomologische Abhandlungen. Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde Dresden 49: 113-137 [133 figs 41-44].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM S1345 ♂, Qld: Homevale [21°27′S 148°32′E].
  Paratype(s) QM S1346 2 ♀, same data as holotype; MHNG 1 ♂ (Heimer collection), same data as holotype.

Generic Combinations

• Australomimetus spinosus Heimer, 1986. —
  Harms, D. & Harvey, M.S. 2009. Australian pirates: systematics and phylogeny of the Australasian pirate spiders (Araneae: Mimetidae), with a description of the Western Australian fauna. Invertebrate Systematics 23: 231-280 [259-263 figs 17A-D, 18A-F, 19] (redescription and extension of range)

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

Qld, WA: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Esperance Plains (ESP), Jarrah Forest (JF), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Warren (WAR)

Distribution References

General References

Harms, D. & Harvey, M.S. 2009. Australian pirates: systematics and phylogeny of the Australasian pirate spiders (Araneae: Mimetidae), with a description of the Western Australian fauna. Invertebrate Systematics 23: 231-280 [259-263 figs 17A-D, 18A-F, 19] (redescription and extension of range)

History of changes

• Australomimetus stephanieae Harms, D. & Harvey, M.S. 2009. Australian pirates: systematics and phylogeny of the Australasian pirate spiders (Araneae: Mimetidae), with a description of the Western Australian fauna. Invertebrate Systematics 23: 231-280 [263-264 figs 20A-E, 21A-B, 22].

  Type data:

   Holotype WAM T46933 ♂, WA: Dryandra Woodland, east of Wandering-Narrogin road [32°45′35"S 117°07′15"E].
  Paratype(s) WAM T46934 1 ♀, WA: Tutanning Nature Reserve: site 1940-W4 [32°31′S 117°23′E].

Distribution

States

Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

WA: Avon Wheatbelt (AW)

History of changes

• Australomimetus subspinosus Heimer, S. 1986. Notes on the spider family Mimetidae with description of a new genus from Australia (Arachnida, Araneae). Entomologische Abhandlungen. Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde Dresden 49: 113-137 [133-135 fig 45].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM S1347 ♀, NSW: Richmond Range
  Comment: male unknown.

Distribution

States

New South Wales

Extra Distribution Information

Known only from type locality.

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

NSW: New England Tablelands (NET), NSW North Coast (NNC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ)

History of changes

• Australomimetus sydneyensis Heimer, S. 1986. Notes on the spider family Mimetidae with description of a new genus from Australia (Arachnida, Araneae). Entomologische Abhandlungen. Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde Dresden 49: 113-137 [128-129 figs 28-31].

  Type data:

   Holotype AM KS5825 ♂, NSW: Minnamurra Falls.
  Paratype(s) MHNG ♂ (collection Heimer), same locality as holotype.

Distribution

States

New South Wales

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

NSW: Sydney Basin (SB)

History of changes

• Ero tasmaniensis Hickman, V.V. 1929. Studies in Tasmanian Spiders. Pt III. Papers and Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania 1928: 96-118 [114-118 figs 8A-D, 9 A, B] [emendation as tasmanensis is regarded as an invalid under Art. 32(a)(ii) of ICZN].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) QVM 13:7359 3♂ ♀ adult (old type no. 39), Trevallyn, Launceston, TAS
  Comment: Harms & Harvey (2009) list only one male and one female (as holotype and paratype, respectively).

Generic Combinations

• Ero tasmaniensis Hickman, 1929. —
  Davies, V.T. 1985. Araneomorphae (in part). pp. 49-125 in Walton, D.W. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia Vol. 3 Mygalomorphae, Araneomorphae in part, Pseudoscorpionida, Amblypygi and Palpigradi. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service 183 pp. [90]
  Heimer, S. 1986. Notes on the spider family Mimetidae with description of a new genus from Australia (Arachnida, Araneae). Entomologische Abhandlungen. Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde Dresden 49: 113-137 [135-136 figs 48-50]
• Australomimetus tasmaniensis (Hickman, 1929). —
  Harms, D. & Harvey, M.S. 2009. A review of the pirate spiders of Tasmania (Arachnida, Mimetidae, Australomimetus) with description of a new species. Journal of Arachnology 37: 188-205 [202-203 figs 11A-C, 12A-D, 13] (transfer to Australomimetus)
  Harms, D. & Harvey, M.S. 2009. Australian pirates: systematics and phylogeny of the Australasian pirate spiders (Araneae: Mimetidae), with a description of the Western Australian fauna. Invertebrate Systematics 23: 231-280 [264-268 figs 23A-D, 24A-F, 25, 28H] (phylogeny; range increase)

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

NSW, NT, Qld, Tas, Vic, WA: Brigalow Belt North (BBN), Brigalow Belt South (BBS), Ben Lomond (BEL), Central Mackay Coast (CMC), Cape York Peninsula (CYP), Darwin Coastal (DAC), Desert Uplands (DEU), Einasleigh Uplands (EIU), Flinders (FLI), NSW North Coast (NNC), Sydney Basin (SB), South East Coastal Plain (SCP), South East Corner (SEC), South Eastern Highlands (SEH), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Tasmanian Central Highlands (TCH), Tasmanian Northern Midlands (TNM), Tasmanian Southern Ranges (TSR), Tasmanian West (TWE), Warren (WAR), Wet Tropics (WT)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Nomadic, predator.

General References

Davies, V.T. 1985. Araneomorphae (in part). pp. 49-125 in Walton, D.W. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia Vol. 3 Mygalomorphae, Araneomorphae in part, Pseudoscorpionida, Amblypygi and Palpigradi. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service 183 pp. [90]

Heimer, S. 1986. Notes on the spider family Mimetidae with description of a new genus from Australia (Arachnida, Araneae). Entomologische Abhandlungen. Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde Dresden 49: 113-137 [135-136 figs 48-50]

History of changes

• Australomimetus triangulosus Heimer, S. 1986. Notes on the spider family Mimetidae with description of a new genus from Australia (Arachnida, Araneae). Entomologische Abhandlungen. Staatliches Museum für Tierkunde Dresden 49: 113-137 [135 figs 46-47].

  Type data:

   Holotype QM S1348 ♀, Qld: Seary's Scrub, Cooloola.
  Paratype(s) QM S1349 1 ♀ 1 juv, same locality as holotype
  Comment: male unknown.

Distribution

States

Queensland

Extra Distribution Information

Additional record for NE Qld given by Harms & Harvey (2009: 275)

Australian Endemic.

IBRA

Qld: Central Mackay Coast (CMC), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Wet Tropics (WT)

Distribution References

History of changes

• Ero Koch, C.L. 1836. Arachniden. In Panzer, G.W.F. Faunae Insectorum Germaniae Initia. Faunae Insectorum Germanicae initia oder Deutschlands Insecten. 111-190 pp. [Heft 138 pl 4].

  Type species:

   Aranea tuberculata De Geer, 1778 by original designation.

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Cosmopolitan; probably introduced into Australia (Harms & Harvey, 2009)

IBRA

Qld, WA: Jarrah Forest (JF), Mallee (MAL), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Warren (WAR), Wet Tropics (WT)

Distribution References

History of changes

• Aranea aphana Walckenaer, C.A. 1802. Faune Parisienne. Insectes. Ou Histoire abrégée des Insectes des environs de Paris. Paris Vol. 2. [Araignées, pp. 187–250]. [Araignée, pp. 187–250] [206].

  Type data:

   Syntype(s) MNHP ♂ ♀ adult, Paris, France.

Generic Combinations

• Ero aphana (Walckenaer, 1802). —
  Davies, V.T. 1985. Araneomorphae (in part). pp. 49-125 in Walton, D.W. (ed.). Zoological Catalogue of Australia Vol. 3 Mygalomorphae, Araneomorphae in part, Pseudoscorpionida, Amblypygi and Palpigradi. Canberra : Australian Government Publishing Service 183 pp. [90]
  Harms, D. & Harvey, M.S. 2009. Australian pirates: systematics and phylogeny of the Australasian pirate spiders (Araneae: Mimetidae), with a description of the Western Australian fauna. Invertebrate Systematics 23: 231-280 [268-271 figs 26A-E, 27, 28I] (discuss variation within Australian specimens and compare to northern hemisphere populations)

Distribution

States

Queensland, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Probably introduced to Australia; widespread in the Holarctic region, also recorded from SE Asia, Saint Helena and the Philippines

Introduced from northern hemisphere.

IBRA

Qld, WA: Jarrah Forest (JF), Mallee (MAL), South Eastern Queensland (SEQ), Swan Coastal Plain (SWA), Warren (WAR), Wet Tropics (WT)

Distribution References

Ecological Descriptors

Nomadic, predator.

History of changes