Trachelas sylvae Caporiacco, 1949

Figs 7G, H, 19

Trachelas sylvae Caporiacco, 1949: 448, figs 74a–b (Holotype ♂: KENYA: Mau Forest [00°36'S, 35°44'E], deposited in MCVR—examined from photographs).

Diagnosis. The male of this species is most similar to T. chubbi but can be recognised by the sharply pointed embolus tip and the relatively broad profile of the embolus in ventral view (Fig. 19A, B), vs a clearly narrower embolus with a broad, not sharp, tip (Fig. 10A, B). The female of T. sylvae can be easily recognised from Afrotropical congeners by the massive oval atria that extend nearly 2/3 of the length of the epigynal plate and the very small posterior primary and secondary spermathecae (Fig. 19C, D).

Remarks. While the types could only be examined from photographs, those images and Caporiacco’s (1949: figs 76a–b) drawings correspond most closely to the specimens we examined. In the absence of any other similar Afrotropical species, we are sure that our specimens represent T. sylvae .

Male. Measurements: CL 1.30–1.33, CW 1.08–1.15, AL 1.30–1.80, AW 0.85–1.13, TL 2.60–2.80, FL 0.03– 0.05, SL 0.73–0.80, SW 0.70–0.75, AME–AME 0.05, AME–ALE 0.03, ALE–ALE 0.20, PME–PME 0.10, PME– PLE 0.10, PLE–PLE 0.44. Length of leg segments: I 3.44 (0.93, 0.45, 0.88, 0.70, 0.48); II 3.19 (0.90, 0.40, 0.78, 0.68, 0.43); III 2.43 (0.70, 0.30, 0.53, 0.60, 0.30); IV 3.39 (0.98, 0.38, 0.78, 0.90, 0.35).

Carapace reddish-brown (Fig. 7G); eye region brown, with dark rings around eyes; ALE and AME equal in size; clypeus height approximately AME diameter; AME separated by 0.7× their diameter; AME separated from ALE by 0.2× AME diameter; PME and PLE equal in size; PME separated by 1.4× their diameter; PME separated from PLE by PME diameter. Chelicerae pale brown, endites and labium brown; two promarginal teeth, distal tooth largest; two retromarginal teeth, distal tooth largest. Sternum pale yellow, orange towards border. Abdomen pale yellow, with yellow-brown scutum covering entire dorsum, with brown to grey chevron markings dorsally (Fig. 7G); median line extending to middle of abdomen, with numerous lateral chevrons in posterior half, connected to grey lateral stripe. Legs uniform pale yellow to pale brown, with incomplete bands; legs I and II more robust than III and IV; femora I and II with incomplete distal band; patellae without bands; tibiae with two incomplete bands, one distal and one proximal; metatarsi I with incomplete proximal band; tarsi without bands. Palp brown; PA very short, tooth-like, situated distally; CY oval, distal third slightly twisted retrolaterally on its axis; TE oval, about 2/3 CY length; SP S-shaped, with pronounced proximal and distal bends; EM originating prodistally, looping behind weak TA, distal section broad and stout in ventral view, inverted 6-shaped with sharp tip in retrolateral view (Fig. 19A, B).

Female. Measurements: CL 1.60–1.98, CW 1.48–1.63, AL 2.65–2.80, AW 2.15–2.33, TL 4.35–4.78, FL 0.08– 0.13, SL 0.98–1.10, SW 0.88–1.00, AME–AME 0.08, AME–ALE 0.03, ALE–ALE 0.33, PME–PME 0.15, PME– PLE 0.10, PLE–PLE 0.58. Length of leg segments: I 5.09 (1.58, 0.65, 1.23, 0.98, 0.65); II 4.88 (1.45, 0.60, 1.23, 1.00, 0.60); III 3.67 (1.08, 0.50, 0.78, 0.88, 0.43); IV 5.03 (1.43, 0.55, 1.20, 1.35, 0.50).

Carapace reddish-brown (Fig. 7H); eye region brown, with black rings around eyes; AER slightly recurved, almost straight; ALE slightly larger than AME; clypeus height equal to AME diameter; AME separated by their diameter; AME separated from ALE by 0.2× AME diameter; PLE slightly larger than PME; PME separated by 1.25× their diameter; PME separated from PLE by PME diameter. Chelicerae reddish-brown, endites and labium slightly lighter; two promarginal tooth, distal tooth largest; retromargin with two subequal teeth. Sternum orange, brown towards border. Abdomen pale yellow, mottled grey dorsally; faint chevron marking present, with dark grey median line extending to midpoint of abdomen, with numerous lateral branches (Fig. 7H). Legs uniformly brown, with incomplete bands; legs I and II more robust, slightly darker than III and IV; femora I and II with incomplete distal band; patellae without bands; tibiae with incomplete distal and proximal bands; metatarsi I with incomplete proximal band; tarsi without bands. Epigyne with large, oval AT that extend 2/3 the length of epigynal plate, with anterolateral CO; CD broad, curving anteriorly, then mesally and posteriorly before entering oval posterolateral ST II, separated by 4× their width; connecting ducts short, with simple thickened posterior loop before entering oval posteromedian ST I, separated by less than their diameter (Fig. 19C, D).

Other material examined. CAMEROON: Southwest Province, Meme Division, Mount Kupe, above Nyassossa, 04°50'N, 09°41'E, 1200–1600 m a.s.l., 16–19.II.1992, leg. C. Griswold et al. (forest), 1♀ (ZMUC). D. R. CONGO: Bikara, 18 km S of Lubéro, route Lubéro-Gama, 00°15'S, 29°12'E, 1200 ft. a.s.l., XII.1976, leg. M. Lejeune (feuilles sechea de fougères), 1♀ (MRAC 159861); Northern side of Mount Ruwenzori, Kikura Camp [00°35'N, 29°55'E], 2000 m a.s.l., VII–VIII.1974, leg. M. Lejeune (fauchage), 2♂ 2♀ (MRAC 154142); Northern slope of Mount Ruwenzori, Kilindera Camp [00°23'N, 29°57'E], 2750 m a.s.l., VII–VIII.1974, leg. M. Lejeune (intérieur de bambous morts), 1♂ (MRAC 155120); Cataractes, Route Lubero-Butembo, région de Lukanga, Vukengete Forest, 05°01'N, 14°18'E, 2210 m a.s.l., XII.1974 – I.1975, leg. M. Lejeune (mousses couverte de graminés), 1♀ (MRAC 168075). UGANDA: Ruwenzori [00°22'N, 29°52'E], 1952, leg. G.O. Evans, 3♂ 2♀ (BMNH).

Distribution. Scattered localities in equatorial Central Africa (Fig. 16).