Trachelas longinquus, Haddad & Lyle, 2025

Trachelas longinquus sp. nov.

Figs 7A View FIGURE 7 , 14E, F View FIGURE 14

Etymology. The species name is derived from Latin longus for “long”, which refers to the long embolus of the male.

Diagnosis. The male of this species can be easily recognised from congeners by the simple, curved, elongate embolus that is as long as the tegulum and the small, triangular retrolateral patellar apophysis pointing ventrally ( Fig. 14E, F View FIGURE 14 ), whereas directed ventrolaterally or laterally in other species. Female unknown.

Male. Measurements: CL 1.50, CW 1.33, AL 1.90, AW 1.48, TL 3.30, FL 0.10, SL 0.85, SW 0.83, AME–AME 0.08, AME–ALE 0.03, ALE–ALE 0.35, PME–PME 0.15, PME–PLE 0.10, PLE–PLE 0.55. Length of leg segments: I 3.79 (1.18, 0.50, 0.90, 0.73, 0.48); II 3.65 (1.13, 0.48, 0.83, 0.73, 0.48); III 2.68 (0.80, 0.38, 0.55, 0.65, 0.30); IV 3.66 (1.10, 0.43, 0.85, 0.93, 0.35).

Carapace reddish-brown ( Fig. 7A View FIGURE 7 ); eye region dark brown, with black rings around eyes; AME and ALE subequal in size; clypeus height equal to AME diameter; AME separated by 0.5× their diameter; AME separated from ALE by 0.2× AME diameter; PLE slightly larger than PME; PME separated by 1.5× their diameter; PME separated from PLE by PME diameter. Chelicerae brown, endites and labium dark yellow-brown; two promarginal teeth, distal tooth largest; two retromarginal teeth, distal tooth largest. Sternum brown, darker towards border. Abdomen pale yellow, with brown scutum covering almost entire length of abdomen dorsally ( Fig. 7A View FIGURE 7 ); first pair of sigilla indistinct, anterior to midpoint of abdomen, second pair brown, elongate, posterior to midpoint. Legs uniform pale brown; legs I and II slightly darker, more robust than posteriors; tibiae of legs I and II with long, erect ventral setae. Palp dark yellow-brown, PA small, triangular, positioned distally, with tip directed ventrally; palpal tibia with shallow, rounded retrolateral ridge; CY rounded proximally, narrow distally; TE oval, SP curving transversely across tegulum; EM originating retrolaterally, simple, elongate, curved proventrally ( Fig. 14E, F View FIGURE 14 ).

Type material. Holotype: ♂: CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: Sangha-Mbaéré Prefecture, Réserve Spéciale de Forét Dense de Dzanga-Sangha , 12.7 km 326° NW Bayanga, 03°00'18"N, 16°11'36"E, 420 m, 10– 17.V.2001, leg. B.L. Fisher (rainforest, beating low vegetation, BLF 4087 ) ( CAS). GoogleMaps

Other material examined. None.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality ( Fig. 12 View FIGURE 12 ).