Micaria laxa Booysen & Haddad 2021, sp. nov.

Micarialaxa sp. nov.

Figs 25, 145 – 146

Type material. Holotype ♂, SOUTHAFRICA: Eastern Cape: Graaff–Reinet, Asante Sana Game Reserve, Acacia thicket, stony ground (T1S5c), pitfall traps, 1202 m a.s.l., 32°16.98’S, 24°58.32’E, leg. J. Midgley, 28.VII.2010 (NCA 2012/2365).

Etymology. The species name is translated from the Latin adjective laxus (broad), or laxa in the female form, referring to the very broad base of the embolus in the males of this species.

Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished from other Afrotropical Micaria by the combination of the following: a lack of a RTA, a small prolateral diversion in the sperm duct, and a broad leaf–like embolus. Female unknown.

Description. Male (holotype from Asante Sana Game Reserve, 2012/2365): Measurements: TL 3.05, CL 1.45, CW 1.55, CL:CW 0.94, CLH 0.08, CLH:AME 1.23. Eyes: ALE 0.07, AME 0.06, PLE 0.06, PME 0.05, AME–AME 0.02, PME–PME 0.06, MOQAW 0.14, MOQPW 0.17, MOQL 0.18. SL 0.73, SW 0.52, AL 1.49, AW 0.98. Leg measurements: Palpal segment lengths: 0.48, 0.18, 0.25, 0.37. Leg I: 1.06, 0.48, 0.87, 0.70, 0.65. II: 0.87, 0.40, 0.68, 0.62, 0.60. III:?. IV: 1.10, 0.41, 0.91, 1.08, 0.64. TLoflegs (I–IV): 3.76, 3.17,?, 4.14; leg formula: most likely 4123.

Colouration: carapace dark brown in colour; black abdomen; femora darkened; sternum, chelicerae, endites and labium similar in colour to carapace (Fig. 25). Carapace: smooth in texture; decorated with squamose setae; faded, dark pattern radiating medially; posterior margin straight; fovea absent. Chelicerae: decorated with plumose setae; anterior margin narrowing slightly from coxa I; PER procurved in dorsal view, AER recurved in anterior view. Labium: triangular in shape; tuft of setae present on tip. Endites: oblique; cluster of setae present on inner–apical margin. Sternum: shield-like, broadest between coxa Iand II, tapered to point between coxa IV. Legs: femora laterally flattened, highest at base, leg Imore pronounced in this fashion; rest of legs normal, thin. Abdomen: cylindrical in shape; decorated with squamose setae; dorsal pattern not visible; venter similar in colour to dorsum; sigilla not visible. Leg macrosetae: Palps: 2do, 1pl, 2do, 1pl, 1pl, 1plv, 3vt. I: 1do, 1pl. II: 1d. III:?. IV: 1do, 1rl, 2pl, 2rl, 2plv, 1rlv, 2vt, 1pl, 1rl, 2plv, 2rlv, 4vt. Legs I–IV with two rows of scopulate setae on metatarsi and four rows on tarsi. Palp: retrolateral tibial apophysis absent; median apophysis present, offset medially, curved; sperm duct present on retrolateral surface of tegulum, kink present anterior to basal curve; embolus broad at base, skewed retrolaterally, tip small, thin and curved near apex; cymbium elongate, pear-shaped, widest near basal third; two small spines on tip of cymbium; three ventral terminal spines present in front of embolus (Figs 145, 146).

Distribution. Micaria laxa sp. nov. is only known from the type locality (Map 5).