Afrotrichona mahnerti sp. nov.

Figs 1-15

Holotype: MHNG; male [sample KENYA-74/35]; KENYA, Kerio Valley, 1100 m a.s.l., under stones; 18.XI.1974; leg. V. Mahnert.

Paratypes: MHNG; 1 male, 3 females [sample KENYA-74/35], collected together with the holotype . – MHNG; 1 male [sample KENYA-74/36]; KENYA, Lake Baringo, environs of Lake Baringo Lodge, 980 m a.s.l., sifting in savannah at foot of trees; 18.XI.1974; leg. V. Mahnert .

Etymology: The new species is named in honour of the well-known arachnologist, entomologist and ichthyologist Prof. Volker Mahnert, the collector of the type material.

Description

Male paratype: Total length 2.25 (Fig. 1). Carapace unmodified, 0.80 long, 0.68 wide, pale brown, with a grey polygonal spot in its centre and with a narrow grey margin (Figs 1-2). Chelicerae 0.35 long, unmodified. Legs pale brown to brown. Leg I 2.54 long (0.75 + 0.23 + 0.63 + 0.55 + 0.38), IV 2.66 long (0.78 + 0.25 + 0.63 + 0.60 + 0.40). Chaetotaxy 1.1.1.1, spines 1.5-2 times as long as diameter of corresponding leg segment. Metatarsus IV without trichobothrium. TmI 0.32. Palp (Figs 8-12): tibia conical distally, with a dark tooth retrolaterally; paracymbium narrow, almost forming a loop; distal suprategular apophysis relatively short, spoon-shaped; radix large; anterior radical process flat, tapering and directed forward, slightly curved and partially guiding and covering embolus; embolus thin, twisted. Abdomen (Fig. 1) 1.53 long, 1.18 wide, dark grey, sparsely covered with long hairs.

Female paratype: Total length 1.90 (Fig. 3). Carapace unmodified, 0.73 long, 0.58 wide. Chelicerae unmodified, 0.30 long. Legs pale brown. Leg I 2.26 long (0.63 + 0.20 + 0.55 + 0.50 + 0.38), IV 2.49 long (0.75 + 0.20 + 0.63 + 0.53 + 0.38). TmI 0.29. Abdomen (Figs 3-5) 1.23 long, 0.90 wide, dark grey, sparsely covered with long hairs (not visible in Figs 3-5 due to camera limitations). Epigyne (Figs 4-7, 13-15): epigynal cavity shallow, its anterior part somewhat covered by a rounded “visor”. Lateral walls forming an arch, tapering anteriorly. Posterior median plate as long as wide, its anterior edge with a wide and shallow invagination. Chaetotaxy as in male.

Distribution: Kenya.