Eriauchenius, O. P. CAMBRIDGE, 1881

Wood, Hannah, 2008, A revision of the assassin spiders of the Eriauchenius gracilicollis group, a clade of spiders endemic to Madagascar (Araneae: Archaeidae), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 152 (2), pp. 255-296 : 261-280

GENUS ERIAUCHENIUS O. P. CAMBRIDGE, 1881

Eriauchenius O. P. Cambridge, 1881 : pp. 767, based on Eriauchenis workmani O. P. Cambridge. Simon, 1895 : pp. 935. Wunderlich, 2004: 778, 791. Platnick, 2006.

Type species: E. workmani O. P. Cambridge, 1881 .

Diagnosis: Distinguished from Afrarchaea ( Forster & Platnick, 1984) by the presence of a longer, more slender ‘neck’ and from Austrarchaea ( Forster & Platnick, 1984) by the bursa lacking receptacula, and by the embolus being short and blunt rather than long and wiry. Distinguished from fossil genera by having stridulatory ridges on the distal half of the chelicerae, by lacking proventral stridulating picks on the palp femur, by having a short petiole, by lacking furrows in the abdomen, and by having a long ‘neck’ ( Wunderlich, 2004).

Distribution: South Africa and Madagascar.

GRACILICOLLIS GROUP

Diagnosis: Distinguished from other Eriauchenius O. P. Cambridge, 1881 by the presence of six protuberances on the cephalic area and the presence of an apophysis on the male palp patella.

Description: Total length 1.50–2.87. Carapace reddish brown with many white setae on small protrusions, organized in branching rows ( Fig. 5D); tubercle seta bases on posterior of carapace modified into large points, possibly for stridulation ( Figs 5A, 6D, 7C); with pars cephalica extremely elongated forming ‘head’ (distal portion of elongation) and ‘neck’ (constricted portion of elongation), with CH /CL ratio of 1.38–3.13; with a pair of anterior, posterior and lateral pronounced-to-rudimentary protrusions on apex of ‘head’ (total of six), each with a small, thickened seta ( Fig. 6C); neck with fissure on anterior side running from chelicerae bases to labrum ( Fig. 6B). AME on a bulge with a point or rounded at apex ( Fig. 8A, C). AME diameter 0.078–0.11; ratio of AME to all other subequal eyes 1.4–3.3; AME separation 4.7–8.0 ¥ AME diameter; PME separation 3.0–5.9 ¥ AME diameter; AME– PME separation 0.63–1.2 ¥ AME diameter; AME– LE separation 0.79–1.4 ¥ AME diameter; MOQ wider in front than behind or than long; lateral eyes contiguous. Short spine close to PME and LE ( Fig. 8C). Sternum reddish brown and longer than wide, hollowed out around coxae ( Fig. 8D); white setae with tuberculate bases; with expanded tubercle on posterior part of sternum, close to 4th coxae ( Fig. 9F). Sclerite in between coxa and carapace ( Fig. 7C). Endites converging ( Figs 6A, 8B); serrula strongly pointed ( Fig. 9C); labrum with two lateral projections on dorsal surface ( Fig. 6A). Small round chilum sclerite next to each cheliceral base; one triangular sclerite in between and posteriad ( Fig. 7A). ChL/ CH ratio 0.96– 1.18; chelicerae with small anterior protrusion and downward-pointing thickened seta, ChS/ChL ratio 0.13–0.38; with stridulatory ridge on lateral side ( Figs 6E, 9E). The structure used in conjuction with the cheliceral stridulatory file appears to be a group of modified hairs on the prolateral side of the palp ( Forster & Platnick, 1984; Lotz, 2003; pers. observ.) as well as sclerotized structures on the male palpal bulb. Peg teeth in three rows; anterior row with two peg teeth and posterior row of one, both sitting opposite fang tip, median row of approximately 20–42, strongest distally and gradually grading to normal setae ( Figs 8A, 9A, B). Teeth on retromargin 1–6, may have different numbers of teeth per chelicera on same individual. Abdomen rounded ( Figs 1B, D–F, 2A, B, D–F, 3A–D) or concave to flat ( Figs 1C, 2C) in the posterior; containing numerous small, round, pale indentations throughout; covered in white, thick setae, occasionally interspersed with black, thin setae; epigynum and booklung covers flat, sclerotized plates ( Fig. 7B); abdominal petiole with ridges ( Fig. 5B). Spinnerets surrounded by ring; colulus present ( Figs 10A–D, 11A–D). Anterior lateral spinneret ( ALS) spinning field divided, with the median side with one large major ampullate gland ( MAP) spigot and posterior nubbin (N) and the lateral side with approximately 15 smaller piriform gland ( PI) (fewer in male) spigots ( Figs 10B, 11B). Posterior median spinneret ( PMS) of female with one large median minor ampullate gland spigot (mAP), three lateral medium-sized aciniform gland ( AC) spigots, and a posterior cylindrical gland ( CY) spigot. The PMS also has a peculiar branched structure on the anterior margin, probably a seta, and a large nubbin (N) between the CY and mAP spigots. The male PMS is the same except in lacking the CY and having only two AC ( Figs 10C, 11C). Posterior lateral spinnerets ( PLS) with a middle row of four AC spigots; in females only, this row is flanked on each side by two larger CY spigots ( Figs 10D, 11D). Posterior respiratory system with two spiracular openings ( Fig. 5C). Legs reddish to light brown, covered sparsely with setae; ratio 1-2-4-3; metatarsus III and IV with ventral cluster of modified hairs; femur IV distinctly curved ( Fig. 7D); femur I length 1.05–2.03 ¥ CH. Female palp with single claw ( Fig. 12D). Male palp with apophysis on patella (PA) either on retrolateral distal end ( Fig. 12B) or on retrolateral basal end ( Fig. 12A); palpal bulb with dorsal sclerotized piece ( BDS), with lateral sclerite ( BLS), and with a proapical process ( BPAP) that arises from the bulb, all pieces are modified in various shapes; embolus with or without bifurcation, from dark to light, thin to thick. BLS attached internally to the embolus and can be seen when the bulb is expanded ( Fig. 13A); attachment also visible through the translucent, retrolateral side of bulb in some species ( Fig. 13B–D). Female genitalic bursa with lateral poreplates with pores distributed in continuous or discontinuous groups on each side, with or without a sclerotized structure dividing bursa ( Figs 14–17); with a dorsal sclerotized plate ( FSGP) that is either a small piece ( Figs 15D, 17E) or a more elaborate piece with wide, flat wing-like projection (‘wings’) extending to each lateral side that is modified into various shapes ( Figs 14A–F, 15A–C, E, 16A–E, 17A–D, F). Legendre (1967) suggested that the male palp might come into contact with the FSGP during copulation and that the FSGP may offer tactile information to the male or female. Alternatively, the FSGP may serve as an anchor for muscle attachment ( Griswold et al., 2005).

Composition: Fourteen species.

Distribution: Madagascar.

ERIAUCHENIUS AMBRE SP. NOV.

( FIGS 1C, 21, 31)

Types: Male holotype and female paratype taken in forest at approximately 1000 m elevation, Parc National Montagne d’Ambre , 2.79 km NE of park entrance, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar, 21– 30.xi.1993, collected by J. Coddington, C. Griswold, N. Scharff, S. Larcher, and R . Andriamasimanana, deposited in CAS. CASENT 9012012

Etymology: The name is a noun in apposition from the type locality, Montagne d’Ambre in Madagascar.

Diagnosis: Distinguished from all Eriauchenius except E. jeanneli by having an abdomen that is flat across the back or invaginated ( Fig. 1C), by having BPAP of the male palp a concave triangular shape ( Fig. 21A–C), and by the FSGP having no posterior elongations, with two lateral anterior points (as in Fig. 14E). Distinguished from E. jeanneli by having the anterior piece of E bifurcation being straight and narrow and jutting out past BPAP in the retrolateral direction ( Fig. 21A, B, D).

Male ( holotype): Total length 1.77. Carapace 0.83 long, 0.57 wide, 1.2 high. Abdomen flat across the back, 0.9 long, 0.83 wide, 1.17 high. Forehead 0.73 long. Bumps on ‘head’ rudimentary. ‘Head’ elongated to the posterior. AME on a bulge with a point at apex. AME diameter 0.099; ratio of AME to all other subequal eyes 2.8; AME separation 5.0 ¥ AME diameter; PME separation 3.1 ¥ AME diameter; AME– PME separation 0.86 ¥ AME diameter; AME– LE separation 0.86 ¥ AME diameter. Brown spine in between and slightly posterior to PME and LE. Chelicerae 1.37 long, with ChS 0.3; median row of 24 peg teeth; two teeth on each chelicera. Femur I 1.97 long. Legs light brown; femora 1–4 darkened proximally and distally; tibiae and tarsi speckled with dark bands and spots. PA retrobasal. Palp bulb with BDS a thick dark piece that curves anteriorad; BLS a thin ridge; BPAP a concave triangular shape with three strong processes, one at each corner; E dark, with bifurcation, the anterior piece of bifurcation straight and narrow and the posterior piece flat and curled ( Fig. 21A–D).

Variation (n = 6): Total length 1.67–1.8; CH /CL ratio 1.44–1.76; FL/ CH ratio 1.55–1.64. Number of teeth 1–2; median row with 22–29 peg teeth.

Female ( paratype): As male, except the following. Total length 1.97. Carapace 0.63 wide, 1.37 high. Abdomen 1.07 long, 0.93 wide, 1.47 high. F 0.83. AME separation 5.4 ¥ AME diameter; PME separation 3.4 ¥ AME diameter; AME– LE separation 1.1 ¥ AME diameter. Chelicerae 1.53 long, with ChS 0.33; median row of 25 peg teeth; having one tooth on each chelicera. Femur I 2.13 long. Genitalic bursa divided with two main groups of pores on each side; FSGP with two strong points arising from either side at the anterior tip, having ‘wings’, and lacking any posterior elongation (as in Fig. 14E).

Variation (n = 6): Total length 1.93–2.1; CH /CL ratio 1.59–1.86; FL/ CH ratio 1.42–1.58. Number of teeth 1–2, may have different numbers of teeth per chelicera on same individual; median row has 25–30 peg teeth.

Natural history: Specimens were collected in montane rainforest.

Distribution: Known only from Montagne d’Ambre, Madagascar ( Fig. 31).

Material examined: MADAGASCAR: Antsiranana: All Parc National Montagne d’Ambre: ( J. Coddington, C. Griswold, N.Scharff, S. Larcher, and R. Andriamasimanana, CAS, ZMUC and USNM) 2.79 km NE of park entrance, 12°32′S, 49°10′E, elev. 1000 m, 21–30.xi.1993, 10♂ 7♀ CASENT 9012010 , 9012012 ( holotype), 9012011; ( L. J. Boutin, CAS) 3.6 km 235° SW Joffreville , 12°32′4″S, 49°10′46″E, elev. 925 m, 20–26.i.2001, 1♂ 1♀ CASENT 9003367 .

ERIAUCHENIUS ANABOHAZO SP. NOV.

( FIGS 1D, 13B, 14A, 16A, B, 28, 31)

Types: Male holotype and female paratype taken by beating low vegetation in tropical dry forest at 120 m elevation, Forêt d’Anabohazo , 21.6 km WSW of Maromandia, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar, 11–16.iii.2001, collected by the Fisher / Griswold Arthropod Survey team, deposited in CAS. CASENT 9018930

Etymology: Named from the Anabohazo forest in Madagascar; a noun in apposition.

Diagnosis: Distinguished from all Eriauchenius by having embolus very thick and dark, with only a wide, shallow bifurcation at the tip, with the opening in between the bifurcation ( Figs 13B, 28A– D); by having a large distinct, prominent process arising from the base of the prolateral side and two smaller processes on the retrolateral side of BPAP, and by having BDS of the palp very elongated, but not splayed outward as in E. griswoldi sp. nov. ( Fig. 28A–C). The FSGP has a posterior elongation that is narrow and not bifurcated ( Figs 14A, 16A, B).

Male ( holotype): Total length 1.7. Carapace 0.77 long, 0.67 wide, 1.4 high. Abdomen 0.93 long, 0.77 wide, 1.03 high. F 0.77 long. AME on a bulge with a small point at apex. AME diameter 0.11; ratio of AME to all other subequal eyes 2.0; AME separation 5.1 ¥ AME diameter; PME separation 3.4 ¥ AME diameter; AME– PME separation 0.77 ¥ AME diameter; AME– LE separation 1.0 ¥ AME diameter. Short brown spine in between and posterior PME and LE. Chelicerae 1.63 long, with ChS 0.43; median row of peg teeth 28; three teeth on each chelicera. Femur I 2.03 long. Legs off-white; femora 1–4 darkened proximally and distally; tibiae and tarsi speckled with dark bands and spots. PA retrobasal. Palpal bulb with BDS modified into an elongate, wide dark piece that lays across the ventral face of the palp, with a small bifurcation at the end with both pieces curling back ( Fig. 28B, C); BLS very small and hardly visible on ventral face of bulb, extending deep into the retrolateral, translucent side of the bulb ( Fig. 13B); BPAP three-pronged, one process larger and pointing retrolaterally and two pointing prolaterally ( Fig. 28A–C); embolus dark and thick and widely bifurcating at tip, with the opening in between the bifurcations ( Fig. 28D).

Variation (n = 3): Total length 1.63–1.77; ratio of carapace height/length 1.75–1.91; ratio of femur I length/ carapace height 1.29–1.45. The median row with 26–28 peg teeth.

Female ( paratype): As male, except the following. Total length 2.03. Carapace 0.93 long, 0.73 wide, 1.7 high. Abdomen 1.1 long, 1.0 wide, 1.33 high. F 0.93 long. AME separation 5.5 ¥ AME diameter; PME separation 3.9 ¥ AME diameter; AME– PME separation 0.91 ¥ AME diameter; AME– LE separation 1.2 ¥ AME diameter. Chelicerae 1.83 long, with ChS 0.45; median row of 26 peg teeth. Femur I 2.1 long. Genitalic bursa divided with two groups of pores on each side ( Figs 14A, 16A). FSGP with one point arising from each side of the anterior, and a long, blunt, narrow piece extending posteriad; with ‘wings’ ( Figs 14A, 16A, B).

Variation (n = 6): Total length 2.03–2.23; CH /CL ratio 1.71–1.85; FL/ CH ratio 1.2–1.31. Number of teeth, 3–4, may have different numbers of teeth per chelicera on same individual; median row has 25–27 peg teeth. Posterior elongation on FSGP can vary in width.

Natural history: Specimens were collected in tropical dry forest by beating low vegetation.

Distribution: North-western Madagascar ( Fig. 31).

Material examined: MADAGASCAR: Antsiranana: ( Fisher / Griswold Arthropod survey team and J. J. Rafanomezantsoa, CAS) Forêt d’Anabohazo : 21.6 km 247° WSW Maromandia, elev. 120 m, 14°18′32″S, 47°54′52″E, 11–16.iii.2001, 3♂ 6♀ CASENT 9007493 , 9018930 ( holotype) and 9002611. Ankaranana: ( V and B. Roth) English Camp: 12°54′34″S, 49°6′36″E, 20–26.viii.1992, 2♀ CASENT 9012016 .

ERIAUCHENIUS BORIMONTSINA SP. NOV.

( FIGS 1E, 18D, 31)

Types: Female holotype taken at 700 m elevation, Marojejy Reserve , 8.4 km NNW of Manantenina, Antsiranana province, Madagascar, 10–16.xi.1993, collected by C. Griswold, J. Coddington, N. Scharff, S. Larcher, and R . Andriamasimanana, deposited in CAS. CASENT 9012343 .

Etymology: Named by Daniela Andriamalala, ‘shivering bird’ in Malagasy; a noun in apposition.

Diagnosis: Distinguished from all Eriauchenius except E. legendrei and E. vadoni by the female genitalia having pores on each side of the bursa that are one continuous group, and having a small, reduced FSGP that lacks ‘wings’ (as in Fig. 15D). Distinguished from all Eriauchenius by having six teeth. Distinguished from E. legendrei and E. vadoni by having the mound above the AME with a point, and having the six bumps on the ‘head’ very reduced; the ‘head’ is rounded as in E. legendrei , and not posteriorly elongated like E. vadoni ; also distinguished by the basal constriction in the chelicerae that is followed distally by a bulge ( Figs 1E, 18D).

Female ( holotype): Total length 2.27. Carapace 0.97 long, 0.87 wide, 2.03 high. Abdomen 1.17 long, 1.1 wide, 1.5 high. F 1.0 long. Protrusions on ‘head’ rudimentary ( Fig. 18D). AME on a bulge with a small point at apex ( Fig. 18D). AME diameter 0.099; ratio of AME to all other subequal eyes 1.8; AME separation 8.0 ¥ AME diameter; PME separation 5.9 ¥ AME diameter; AME– PME separation 1.1 ¥ AME diameter; AME– LE separation 1.7 ¥ AME diameter. Short brown spine between and slightly posterior to PME and LE ( Fig. 18D). Chelicerae 2.1 long, with ChS of 0.27 and resting at apex of large bulge at base of chelicerae ( Figs 1E, 18D); median row of peg teeth 29; six true teeth per chelicera. Femur I 2.2 long. Femora I–IV darkened proximally and distally; tibiae with dark proximal and distal bands. Genitalic bursa with continuous large group of pores on either side; FSGP a very reduced, small plate, lacking ‘wings’ (as in Fig. 15D).

Variation (n = 2): Total length 2.27–2.4; CH /CL ratio 2.10–2.14; FL/ CH ratio 1.08–1.12. Median row with 29–34 peg teeth.

Male: Unknown.

Natural history: Specimens were collected in rainforest by general night collecting.

Distribution: North-eastern Madagascar ( Fig. 31).

Material examined: MADAGASCAR: Toamasina: ( D. Andriamalala and D. Silva, CAS) Parc National Masoala: Ambohitsitondroina Mt., Ambanizana , 15°34′9.9″S, 50°00′12.3″E, elev. 600–650 m, 28.ii.2003, 1♀ CASENT 9015520 . Antsiranana: ( C. Griswold, J. Coddington, N. Scharff, S. Larcher, and R. Andriamasimanana, CAS) Marojejy Reserve : 8.4 km NNW Manantenina, 14°26′S, 49°45′E, elev. 700 m, 10–16.xi.1993, 1♀ CASENT 9012343 ( holotype) .

ERIAUCHENIUS GRACILICOLLIS ( MILLOT, 1948)

( FIGS 1F, 14B, 16E, 25, 32, 35, 38)

Archaea gracilicollis Millot, 1948: 7–8 . Legendre, 1970: 13–17. Forster & Platnick, 1984: 21.

E. gracilicollis: Wunderlich, 2004: 794 . Platnick, 2006.

Types: Archaea gracilicollis Millot, 1948 ( type female from Madagascar, Nossi-Bé, Lokoubé, Forêt de Lokobe , collected by J. Millot, deposited in MNHN, examined) .

Diagnosis: Distinguished from all other Eriauchenius , except E. lavatenda sp. nov., by having the longest, most slender neck, with a CH /CL ratio of greater than 2.6 ( Fig. 1F); from all Eriauchenius by having BDS of the male palp two-pronged, with a wide and shallow divergence between the two processes, which point ventrad ( Fig. 25B–D); by lacking the spine in between the LE and the PME; by the female genitalic bursa having one continuous group of pores on each side and the FSGP lacking a circular-shaped mound ( Figs 14B, 16E), unlike E. lavatenda sp. nov.

Male: (Reserve Speciale de Bemarivo, CASENT 9017959) Total length 2.2. Carapace 1.0 long, 0.6 wide, 2.97 high. Abdomen 1.23 long, 0.8 wide, 1.0 high. F 1.0. Most anterior pair of protrusions on ‘head’ forming a ridge ( Fig. 1F). AME on a bulge with a point at apex. AME diameter 0.092; ratio of AME to all other subequal eyes 3.3; AME separation 6.5 ¥ AME diameter; PME separation 4.6 ¥ AME diameter; AME–PME separation 1.1 ¥ AME diameter; AME–LE separation 1.2 ¥ AME diameter. Lacking brown spine that occurs between PME and LE. Chelicerae 2.9 long, with ChS 1.1; median row of peg teeth 39; three teeth on each chelicera. Femur I 3.7 long. Legs uniform light brown except femur I–IV darkened distally, patella I–IV darkened and tibia I–IV darkened proximally. PA retrobasal. BDS of palp two-pronged, with a wide and shallow divergence between the two processes, which point ventrad ( Fig. 25B–D); BLS modified into flat, sclerotized plate ( Fig. 25B, D); BPAP wide and elongated, pointing distally, blunt at end ( Fig. 25B); embolus dark and thin, with a bifurcation deep within palp ( Fig. 25B, D); palpal bulb with a wide groove on prolateral side of base of BPAP ( Fig. 25B).

Variation (n = 6): Total length 2.1–2.4; CH /CL ratio 2.79–3.07; FL/ CH ratio 1.19–1.30. Median row with 35–40 peg teeth.

Female: (Reserve Speciale de Bemarivo, CASENT 9017959): As male, except the following. Total length 2.5. Carapace 0.67 wide, 3.0 high. Abdomen 1.46 long, 0.93 wide, 1.2 high. AME diameter 0.092; ratio of AME to all other subequal eyes 2.6; AME separation 6.9 ¥ AME diameter; PME separation 5.2 ¥ AME diameter; AME–PME separation 1.2 ¥ AME diameter; AME–LE separation 1.4 ¥ AME diameter. Chelicerae 2.88 long, with ChS 0.93; median row of 38 peg teeth. Femur I 3.67 long. Genitalic bursa divided in half by a depression, with continuous large group of pores ( Figs 14B, 16E). FSGP having ‘wings’; FSGP with no posterior elongations, with several folds and ridges in the centre, with two points going laterad ( Figs 14B, 16E).

Variation (n = 6): Total length 2.43–2.5; CH /CL ratio 2.67–3.13; FL/ CH ratio 1.17–1.31. Number of teeth 3–4, may have different numbers of teeth per chelicera on same individual; median row with 32–42 peg teeth.

Natural history: Specimens were collected in tropical dry forest and rainforest by beating low vegetation and general night and day collecting.

Distribution: Northern to central Western Madagascar ( Fig. 32).

Material examined: MADAGASCAR: Mahajanga: (all Fisher / Griswold Arthropod survey team, CAS) Parc National Tsingy de Bemaraha: 10.6 km ESE 123° Antsalova, elev. 150 m, 19°42′34″S, 44°43′5″E, 16–20.xi.2001, 4♂ 17♀ CASENT 9009300 , 9009386 , and 9009758; Réserve Spéciale de Bemarivo : 23.8 km 223° SW Besalampy, elev. 30 m, 16°55′30″S, 44°22′06″E, 19–23.xi.2002, 5♂ 15♀ CASENT 9017959 and 9017990; Parc National de Namoroka : 16.9 km 317° NW Vilanandro, elev. 100 m, 16°24′24″S, 45°18′36″E, 12–16.xi.2002, 5♂ 9♀ CASENT 9017427 and 9017949 . Antsiranana: ( J. Millot, MNHN) Nossi-Bé, Lokoubé, Forêt de Lokobe, 1♀ ( holotype). All Nosy Be, Réserve Naturelle Intégrale de Lokobe : ( V and B. Roth, CAS) 13°24′58.8″S, 48°18′26.5″E, 11–14.viii.1992, 1♂ 1♀ CASENT 9010078 ; ( D. Andriamalala, C. Griswold, H. Ratsirarson, D. Silva, CAS) 4.95 km 125° ESE Hellville, elev. 0–200 m, 13°24′56″S, 48°18′27″E, 15.ii.2003, 4♀ CASENT 9018900 and 9005364; ( J. J. Rafanomezantsoa, CAS) 6.3 km 112° ESE Hellville, elev. 30 m, 13°25′10″S, 48°19′52″E, 19–24.iii.2001, 2♂ 3♀ CASENT 9003300 .

ERIAUCHENIUS GRISWOLDI SP. NOV.

( FIGS 2A, 13C, 14C, 16C, D, 29, 32)

Types: Male holotype and female paratype taken by beating vegetation and puffing in tropical dry forest at 100 m elevation, Forêt de Kirindy , 15.5 km 64° ENE of Marofandilia, Toliara province, Madagascar, 28.xi.-3.xii.2001, collected by the Fisher/Griswold Arthropod Survey team, deposited in CAS. CASENT 9018929

Etymology: Named in honour of Dr Charles Griswold, who provided insight into the study of Arachnology, in the morphology and natural history of this group, and in the natural history of Madagascar. Dr Griswold has spent many years collecting arachnids in Madagascar.

Diagnosis: Distinguished from all Eriauchenius by having the BDS of the male palps greatly elongated and that splays outward in the prolateral direction; and by having BPAP of the male palp flat and twopronged at the base, with a constriction, with only one process on the prolateral side ( Fig. 29A–D). Distinguished from all Eriauchenius except E. tsingyensis by the FSGP having two long, narrow posterior elongations and having bursa with discontinuous group of pores ( Figs 14C, 16C, D). Distinguished from E. tsingyensis by having a point at the apex of the AME tubercle and by the FSGP generally being narrower with the ‘wings’ larger.

Male ( holotype): Total length 1.77. Carapace 0.73 long, 0.57 wide, 1.33 high. Abdomen 1.03 long, 1.0 wide, 1.13 high. F 0.7. Protusions on ‘head’ rudimentary. AME on a bulge with a point at apex. AME diameter 0.085; ratio of AME to all other subequal eyes 1.5; AME separation 6.3 ¥ AME diameter; PME separation 4.8 ¥ AME diameter; AME–PME separation 0.83 ¥ AME diameter; AME–LE separation 1.0 ¥ AME diameter. Brown spine in between and slightly posterior to PME and LE. Chelicerae 1.43 long, with ChS 0.33; median row of 24 peg teeth; two teeth per chelicera. Femur I 1.67 long. Legs reddish brown; femora 1–4 darkened proximally and distally; tibiae with dark proximal, distal and median bands. PA retrobasal. Palp bulb with BDS thick, dark, and greatly elongated with a bifurcation at the end with the two pieces curling back and the prolateral side elongated and splaying outward ( Fig. 29B); BLS small and hardly visible on face of bulb, hidden by BDS, but visible through and extending deep into the retrolateral, translucent side of the bulb ( Fig. 13C); BPAP flat and two-pronged at base, with constriction, with only one process on the prolateral side ( Fig. 29A, B); embolus dark, and thick with bifurcation ( Fig. 29B, D).

Variation (n = 6): Total length 1.73–1.9; CH /CL ratio 1.82–2.0; FL/ CH ratio 1.16–1.28. Number of teeth 2–3, may have different numbers of teeth per chelicera on same individual; median row with 24–27 peg teeth.

Female ( paratype): As male, except the following. Total length 2.13. Carapace 0.77 long 0.67 wide, 1.4 high. Abdomen 1.3 long, 1.17 wide, 1.0 high. F 0.73. AME diameter 0.099; ratio of AME to all other subequal eyes 1.75; AME separation 6.1 ¥ AME diameter; PME separation 4.9 ¥ AME diameter; AME–PME separation 0.63 ¥ AME diameter; AME–LE separation 1.1 ¥ AME diameter. Chelicerae 1.6 long, with ChS 0.4; median row of 22 peg teeth; having three teeth on each chelicera. Femur I 1.8 long. Genitalic bursa with two main groups of pores of equal size, that are hardly separated, on each lateral side; FSGP having ‘wings’, with anterior having a rounded bulb with dull points on each lateral side, followed by a constriction; FSGP with two narrow posterior elongations that curve dorsally at the tip, with a thinner lighter concavity binding the elongations together ( Figs 14C, 16C, D).

Variation (n = 6): Total length 2.0–2.23; CH /CL ratio 1.83–2.23; FL/ CH ratio 1.15–1.29. Number of teeth 2–3, may have different numbers of teeth per chelicera on same individual; median row of 22–28 peg teeth. Pores on each side of bursa often looking like one continuous group.

Natural history: Specimens were collected in tropical dry forest and gallery forest by beating low vegetation, sifting litter and by general day and night collecting.

Distribution: Central Western to central Southern Madagascar ( Fig. 32).

Material examined: MADAGASCAR: Toliara: (Fisher/ Griswold Arthropod survey team, CAS) Forêt de Kirindy , 15.5 km 64° ENE Marofandilia, elev. 100 m, 20°2′42″S, 44°39′44″E, 28.xi.-3.xii.2001, 12♂ 18♀ CASENT 9013575 , 9018929 ( holotype), 9013609, 900552, 900560, and 9013496 . Mahajanga: (Fisher/ Griswold Arthropod survey team, CAS) Forêt de Tsimembo , 8.7 km 336° NNW Soatana, elev. 20 m, 19°1′17″, 44°26′26″E, 21–25.xi.2001, 1♂ 5♀ CASENT 9009799 . Fianarantsoa: All Parc National d’Isalo, Sahanafa River : (B and V. Roth, CAS) 23–25.v.1992, 1♂ CASENT 9012015 ; (Fisher/Griswold Arthropod survey team, CAS) 29.2 km 351°N Ranohira, elev. 500 m, 22°18′48″S, 45°17′30″E, 10–13.ii.2003, 4♂ 11♀ CASENT 9018899 and 9017210 .

ERIAUCHENIUS HALAMBOHITRA SP. NOV.

( FIGS 2B, 14D, 16F, 31)

Types: Female holotype taken by general collecting, during the day, in tropical dry forest at 325 m elevation, Réserve Spéciale d’Ambre, 3.5 km SW of Sakaramy, Antsiranana Province, Madagascar, 26–31.ii.2001, collected by J. J. Rafanomezantsoa, deposited in CAS. CASENT 9004603

Etymology: ‘Mountain spider’ in Malagasy; a noun in apposition.

Diagnosis: Distinguished from all Eriauchenius by having the FSGP being broad and rounded dorsally, having no posterior elongations, and having ‘wings’ that are very reduced ( Figs 14D, 16F).