Microbianor deltshevi sp. n.

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act: E288919E-AAEB-4237-BFC4-E9900F426B6C

Figs 15-23

Type material. Holotype. ♁ (MRAC, 200.164; Figs 15-17) from Madagascar, Foulpointe, lagoon forest, yellow trap, 10.1993, AP.

Paratypes. MADAGASCAR: 12♁ 4♀ 1juv (MRAC, 200.164; Figs 18-23), together with the holotype; 2♁ 1♀ (MRAC, 177.809), same locality, 11.1993, AP; 1♀ (MRAC, 177.904), same locality, Asplenium -forest, 12.1993, AP ; 1♁ (MRAC, 201.769), Madagascar, Tamatave, Foulpointe, forest on clay, 07.1994, AP; 1♀ (MRAC, 200.225), same locality and habitat, 12.1993, AP; 1♁ (MRAC, 205.810), same locality, yellow trap on upper beach margin, under Scaevola taccata, 11.1995, AP ; 1♁ (MRAC, 200.064), Madagascar, Foulpointe, sea shore forest, sieving litter, 11.1993, AP.

Diagnosis. Compared to all the described species of Microbianor (see Logunov 2000), M. deltshevi sp. n. differs in having a straight embolus (Fig. 20) and dark brown femora and tarsi I (Fig. 17) in males and the complete absence of fossae in females (Fig. 22).

Etymology. The new species is dedicated to Prof Christo Deltshev (Bulgaria), for his life-long dedication to, and effective work on, spiders, and on the occasion of his 70 th anniversary.

Distribution. NE part of Madagascar (Tamatave).

Description. Male (the holotype). Measurements. Carapace 1.08 long, 1.08 wide, 0.63 high at PLE. Ocular area 0.80 long, 0.90 wide anteriorly and 1.08 wide posteriorly. Diameter of AME 0.29. Abdomen 1.05 long, 0.95 wide. Cheliceral length 0.43. Clypeal height 0.07. Length of leg segments: leg I- 0.85+0.55+0.58+0.33+0.30; leg II- 0.50+0.33+0.29+0.28+0.26; leg III- 0.65+0.28+0.25+0.30+0.26; leg IV- 0.63+0.26+0.29+0.35+0.28. Leg spination. Leg I: Tb v 2-2; Mt v 2-2ap. Leg II: Fm d 1ap; Tb pr 0-1-0, v 1-1; Mt v 2-2ap. Leg III: Fm d 1ap; Tb pr and rt 0-1- 0, v 1ap; Mt pr and rt 1ap, v 1-2ap. Leg IV: Fm d 1ap; remaining segments with no spines. Colouration. Carapace russet, shining with sparse white elongated scales (Figs 15-16). Eye field darker (brown), with black around eyes. Clypeus russet, with

sparse black hairs. Sternum, labium, maxillae and chelicerae yellowish, tinged with red. Abdomen yellow-grey; dorsum completely covered with brownish scutum (Fig. 15), without marked colour pattern or with a poorly marked narrow transverse white stripe. Book-lung covers yellowish, spinnerets grey brownish (sometimes dark brown). Leg I (Fig. 17): Fm and Tr dark brown (almost black), Pt, Tb and Mt yellow; Fm dorsally and Pt & Tb ventrally with a row of black bristles. Legs II-IV yellow, with brown rings at segment joints (Fig. 16). Palps yellowish brownish; palpal structure as in Figs 20-21.

Female (the paratype, sample 200.164). Measurements. Carapace 1.25 long, 1.10 wide, 0.63 high at PLE. Ocular area 0.85 long, 0.90 wide anteriorly and 1.13 wide posteriorly. Diameter of AME 0.29. Abdomen 1.48 long, 1.13 wide. Cheliceral length 0.68. Clypeal height 0.06. Length of leg segments: leg I- 0.73+0.35+0.40+0.33+0.25; leg II- 0.55+0.35+0.28+0.28+0.25; leg III- 0.65+0.33+0.25+0.30+0.25; leg IV- 0.65+0.31+0.35+0.38+0.28. Leg spination. Leg I: Tb v 2-2; Mt v 2-2ap. Leg II: Tb pr 0-1-0, v 1-1ap; Mt v 2-2ap. Leg III: Tb v 1ap; Mt 3ap. Leg IV: no spines. Colouration as in the male (Figs 18-19), but paler and differs as follows: no scutum on dorsum; the colouration of legs I is similar to the other legs: all femora slightly darker (brown) than remaining segments, which are yellow with brown rings at segment joints; palps brownish yellowish, with brown tarsi. Epigyne and spermathecae as in Figs 22-23.