Djeboa coelestinica Pešić, Cook & Gerecke sp. nov.

(Figs. 11A–F, 40E–F)

Type series: Holotype, male, dissected and slide mounted, Madagascar 120d, Maromandia, River Andranamalaza, 70 m asl., 31.3 ˚C, 0.023 mS/cm, 21.x.2001, Gerecke & Goldschmidt; Paratypes: same data as holotype, dissected and slide mounted; Madagascar 120d, 3/2/0; 120a (wood) 0/1/0; 120b (macrophytes), 1(juvenile)/0/0; 120c (pool), 2/0/0.

Further records: Madagascar 122c, Maromandia, R. Manongarivo, 60 m asl., 30.5°C, 0.042 mS/cm; pool, 22.x.2001 Gerecke & Goldschmidt, 1/2/0; Madagascar 118b, Maromandia, left affl. of R.Andranamalaza, ca. 1.0 km E from main road, 100 m asl., 25.5 °C, 0.036 mS/cm; pool, 21.x.2001, Gerecke & Goldschmidt, 0/1/0.

Diagnosis: Dorsal shield oval (L/W ratio 1.1), with medial depression, lateral ridges extending almost to frontal and caudal margins (Figs. 40E–F); muscle scars with strongly pronounced thickenings, located at nearly equal distance anterior and posterior to the postocularia; dorsal shield colour pattern as shown in Figs. 40E–F; edges of ventral shield serrate; gnathosomal bay Y-shaped; tips of Cx-I extending to, or slightly beyond, frontal margin; Cx-II, -III and -IV with a few longitudinal striae (three to four pairs on Cx-IV). Palp (Fig. 11D): P-1 with a dorsal seta; P-2 with straight ventral and convexly bowed dorsal margin; P-3 ventral margin with a basal kink, from here to distal edge slightly concave, maximum height proximally; P-4 slender, ventral margin concave, continuously narrowing from base to distal edge. Legs: I-L (Fig. 11E) with I-L-6 L/H ratio 2.4–2.5, ventral margin convex; IV-L: Fig. 11F; swimming setae numbers: III-L-4, 4–5; III-L-5, 5–6; IV-L-4, 4–5; IV-L- 5, 5–6.

Description:

Male (holotype): Idiosoma (ventral view: Fig. 11B) L/W 447/419. Dorsal shield (Fig. 40E) L/W 375/347, ratio 1.1; gnathosomal bay L 83. Gonopore L/W 88/15. Palp: total L 155; L/H, L/H ratio: P-1, 20/18, 1.1; P-2, 40/35, 1.14; P-3, 32/23, 1.4; P-4, 51/17, 3.0; P-5, 12/6, 2.0. Legs: dL of I-L: 31, 42, 42, 46, 61, 81; I-L-6 H 34, I-L-6 L/H ratio 2.5; dL of IV-L: 65, 69, 59, 79, 92, 99

Female (paratype): Idiosoma (ventral view: Fig. 11C) L/W 516/494. Dorsal shield (Figs. 11A, 40F) L/W 438/ 388, ratio 1.1; gnathosomal bay L 89. Gonopore L/W 92/79, ratio 1.16; egg maximum diameter 105. Palp: total L 170; L/H, L/H ratio: P-1, 20/23, 0.9; P-2, 44/35, 1.25; P-3, 40/25, 1.6; P-4, 51/17, 3.0; P-5, 15/9, 1.8; chelicera total L 99; gnathosoma vL 97. Legs: dL of I-L-2-6: 45, 46, 48, 66, 82; I-L-6 H 34, I-L-6 L/H ratio 2.4; dL of IV-L: 74, 77, 65, 90, 100, 111.

Etymology: The epithet is based on the name of the mineral celestite (clear blue colour, found in Madagascar).

Discussion: Djeboa coelestinica sp. nov. agrees in its well pronounced muscle scars and shape of palp with D. vanilla sp. nov (see below). The latter differs in the dorsal shield depression with pores gradually decreasing in size medially, tips of Cx-I not extending to frontal margin, and distal segments of I-L slightly stockier.

Distribution: Madagascar, only found in lowland forest streams of the Northwestern part (province Maromandia).