Genus Afrotrichona gen. nov.

Type species: Afrotrichona mahnerti sp. nov.

Etymology: The generic name is a combination of two words: “Afro”, referring to the “ terra typica ”, and a part of the generic name Trichoncoides (see taxonomic remarks below). The gender is feminine.

Diagnosis: The genus contains medium-sized erigonines (total length 1.90-2.25) characterized by the following combination of somatic and genitalic characters:

1) Carapace unmodified in both sexes (Figs 1-3), eyes normal, not enlarged, cephalic pits (= sulci) absent.

2) Chaetotaxy formula 1.1.1.1. Metatarsus IV without trichobothrium. TmI 0.29-0.32.

3) Palpal tibia modified (Figs 8, 10).

4) Paracymbium small, narrow, strongly curved and almost forming a loop (Fig. 8).

5) Distal suprategular apophysis moderately developed (Figs 8, 12).

6) Embolus twisted. Radix with an anterior process guiding and protecting embolus (Figs 8-9, 11).

7) Epigyne with a visor-shaped structure overhanging its cavity, lateral walls forming an arch (Figs 4-7, 13- 15).

Taxonomic remarks: The new Afrotropical erigonine genus bears some resemblance to the Ancient Mediterranean Trichoncoides Denis, 1950b . Namely, the embolic division in Afrotrichona mahnerti sp. nov. is similar to that in T. piscator (Simon, 1884) and T. striganovae Tanasevitch & Piterkina, 2012 by the presence of an anterior radical process guiding and protecting the embolus (Figs 9, 11 cf. Tanasevitch & Piterkina, 2012: fig. 7). The presence of a “visor” in the epigyne of A. mahnerti sp. nov. makes it resemble the epigyne of Trichoncoides members (Figs 13-14 cf. Tanasevitch & Piterkina, 2012: figs 40-45). The new genus is clearly distinguished from Trichoncoides by the chaetotaxy formula (1.1.1.1 in Afrotrichona gen. nov. versus 2.2. 1.1 in Trichoncoides), by the unmodified male carapace, i.e. absence of a special group of spines on its cephalic part, as well as by the absence of a median septum in the epigyne of females.

Species included: Only the type species.

Distribution: Kenya.