Protopalpus kurku, new species

(Figs. 1A–C, 2A–D)

Holotype. Male (MHNG), THAILAND, Chiang Mai Province, Chomthong District, Doi Inthanon N.P., 2,530 m a.s.l., coll. P. Schwendinger, 23 February 1987.

Etymology. The species epithet is a noun in apposition, taken from the shape of the embolic division, which looks like the Nepalese knife “kurku”, see Fig. 2C.

Diagnosis. The new species is characterised by a large, flat, and wide embolic division, a peculiar shape of the embolus, and enlarged eyes.

Description. Male holotype. Total length 1.35. Carapace unmodified, 0.63 long, 0.47 wide, greyish brown, eyes enlarged as shown in Fig. 1A–C. Chelicerae unmodified, 0.26 long. Legs pale brown, each femur darkened from its base to middle. Leg I 1.56 long (0.45 + 0.15 + 0.36 + 0.30 + 0.30), IV 1.68 long (0.47 + 0.17 + 0.39 + 0.36 + 0.29). Chaetotaxy 1.1.1.1, spines 1–1.5 times as long as diameter of corresponding leg segment. TmI 0.35. Metatarsus IV without trichobothrium. Palp (Fig. 2A–D): Tibia with a thin, relatively long, dorso-retrolateral process slightly broadening distally. Paracymbium large, flat, poorly sclerotised, almost transparent. Its proximal and distal parts not separated by a notch. Embolic division large, radix flat, slightly bent at middle, continuous with embolus. Abdomen 0.78 long, 0.48 wide, grey (as shown in Fig. 1B, C).

Taxonomic remarks. See above, under the generic diagnosis.

Distribution. Known only from Chiang Mai Province, Thailand, at 2,530 m a.s.l.