Flavonuncia vazimba, Abel & Pérez-González, 2025

Flavonuncia vazimba n. sp.

( Figs 15-18 View FIG View FIG View FIG View FIG ; 23D, I, N View FIG )

urn:lsid:zoobank.org:act:4953F845-90CE-4E67-88BD-FEC65BA66277

TYPE MATERIAL. — Holotype. Madagascar • ♂; Fianarantsoa, Parc National Befotaka-Midongy Papango 27.7 km S Midongy-Sud.

Mount Papango; Elev. 940 m; 23°50’07”S, 46°57’49”E; coll. B. L. Fisher et al.; 13-15.XI.2006; sifted litter, rainforest, collection code: BLF14776; CASTYPE 21651.

Paratypes. Madagascar • 13 ♂, 22 ♀; same data as for holotype; CASENT 9072147 • 1 ♂; MACN-Ar 46003 ; SEM voucher; same data • 5 ♂, 5♀; same data; MACN-Ar 46004 • 2♂, 4♀; Fianarantsoa, Parc National Befotaka-Midongy Papango 28.5 km S Midongy-Sud. Mount Papango; Elev. 1250 m; 23°50’27”S, 46°57’27”E; coll. B. L. Fisher et al.; 17-19.XI.2006, sifted litter, rainforest, collection code: BLF14946; CASENT 9072048 GoogleMaps .

ETYMOLOGY. — The species epithet, vazimba , according to popular belief, were the first inhabitants of Madagascar. While beliefs about the physical appearance of the Vazimba reflect regional variation, they are generally described as smaller in stature than the average person, leading some scientists to speculate that they may have been a pygmy people. Noun in apposition.

COMPARATIVE DIAGNOSIS. — Differs from all known Flavonuncia by the light yellow dorsal scutum and the acute shape of ocularium. The ventral distal part of the capsula interna of the penis bears a rounded process.

DISTRIBUTION ( Fig. 1 View FIG ). — Known only from Parc National Befotaka-Midongy Papango, in Fianarantsoa, Southeast Madagascar.

DESCRIPTION

Male (CASTYPE 21651)

Measurements. See Table 1.

Dorsum ( Figs 15A, C View FIG ; 16A, B View FIG ). Outline hourglass-shaped of Eta (η) type. Ocularium conical and acute, eyes located in the top half of the ocularium. Mesotergal scutum without tubercles or apophyses, carapace smaller than mesotergum, mesotergal areas smoothly defined, areas I-IV with a row of six, four, seven, and 13 small setiferous granules respectively, the posterior border with a row of c. 15 granules. Free tergites bearing a row of granules on each tergite.

Venter ( Figs 15E View FIG ; 16C, D View FIG ). Coxae ventral surface covered by setae; coxa I bearing 9-11 granules; almost all ventral surface covered by cerotegument, except by the proximal coxa II-III; proximal coxa II with one tubercle bearing basal setae; coxa III with two tubercles and three setae; small bridge present, spiracles not visible.

Chelicerae ( Fig. 17A, B View FIG ). Basicheliceritae bearing a small tubercle on dorso-distal surface, cheliceral hand bearing five small ectal tubercles with subdistal setae, two small mesal tubercles, and six mesal setae.

Pedipalps ( Fig. 17C, D View FIG ). Trochanter with four small ventral tubercles, femur bearing a ventral row of small tubercles and two dorsal distal acute tubercles, mesal view with two tubercles, patella with one ventral ectal and three mesal tubercles, tibia ventral surface bearing sparse small tubercles, with three ectal and mesal acute tubercles with subdistal setae, tarsus bearing four ectal and five mesal tubercles with setae.

Legs ( Fig. 17E, H View FIG ). Astragalus longer than calcaneus. Tarsal count: 3-6-4-4.

Genitalia ( Figs 18 View FIG ; 23D, I, N View FIG ). Ventral plate bearing three ventral and two dorsal macrosetae. Capsula interna longer than ventral plate, ventral view with a cleft separating capsula interna into two halves, apical portion of ventral plate rectangular arch-shaped, with upper and lower macrosetae aligned in dorsal view. In ventral view, two grouped upper macrosetae and one isolated lower macroseta. Distal capsula interna with a complex structure ending in a thin free stylus and a pair of fine conductors visible on ventral view. Ventral distal part of the capsula interna bearing a rounded process.

Female (CASENT 9072147) ( Fig. 15B, D, F View FIG )

Very similar to male except for shorter pedipalps.