Micaria sanipass Booysen & Haddad 2021, sp. nov.

Micariasanipass sp. nov.

Figs 34, 163 – 164

Type material. Holotype: ♂, SOUTHAFRICA: KwaZulu–Natal: Sani Pass, pitfalltraps, 1200 ma.s.l., 30°11.4’S, 30°24.4’E, leg. University of Pretoria Students, 20.I.2008 (NCA 2011/857).

Etymology. The species name is a noun in apposition of the Sani Pass sampling transect where it was collected.

Diagnosis. The males of this species can be distinguished from other Afrotropical Micaria in having a narrowly curved loop at the base of the tegulum, more so than in other species. The males of similar species, such as M. gagnoa sp. nov., have a larger gap in the loop and the RTA is subapical, whereas that of M. sanipass sp. nov. is on the apical ridge of the palpal tibia.

Description. Male (holotype from Sani Pass, South Africa, NCA 2011/857): Measurements: TL 3.25, CL 1.50, CW 0.83, CL:CW 1.81, CLH 0.10, CLH:AME 1.70. Eyes: ALE 0.06, AME 0.06, PLE 0.06, PME 0.05, AME–AME 0.01, PME–PME 0.05, MOQAW 0.13, MOQPW 0.16, MOQL 0.20. SL 0.71, SW 0.49, AL 1.50, AW 0.95. Leg measurements: Palpal segment lengths: 0.68, 0.22, 0.21, 0.31. Leg I: 0.97, 0.37, 0.78, 0.70, 0.71. II: 0.84, 0.33, 0.70, 0.71, 0.71. III: 0.76, 0.30, 0.57, 0.71, 0.52. IV: 1.29, 0.41, 1.05, 1.18, 0.83. TLoflegs (I–IV): 3.53, 3.29, 2.86, 4.76; leg formula: 4123.

Colouration: carapace brown; abdomen dark brown; legs with femur Idarkened basally; legs II–IV uniform in colour; sternum, endites, labium and chelicerae similar in colour to carapace (Fig. 34). Carapace: smooth in texture; slight transverse median depression present on posterior third; decorated with squamose setae; broad rectangular dark pattern present medially, with radiating dark lines; posterior margin straight; fovea absent; anterior margin narrowing slightly from coxa I; PER recurved in dorsal view, AER recurved in anterior view. Chelicerae: decorated with plumose setae. Labium: triangular in shape, rounded at tip, accompanied by cluster of setae. Endites: oblique; anterior margin straight; cluster of setae present on inner–apical margin; very thin black anterior margin. Sternum: shield-like; broadest between coxa Iand II; posterior margin tapered between coxa IV; decorated with aculeate setae. Legs: femora laterally flattened, highest at base, leg Imore pronounced in this fashion; rest of legs normal, thin. Leg macrosetae: Palps: 1pl, 1pl, 1plv, 1pl, 2plv, 2vt. Leg I: 1do, 1pl, 2plv, 2rlv, 1plv, 1rlv. II: 1d. III: 1pl, 1rlv, 1vt, 1plv, 1rlv, 4vt. IV: 1plv, 2vt, 2plv, 2rlv, 4vt. Scopulate setae on tarsi and metatarsi of leg I–II, and on tarsi of Leg III–IV. Abdomen: cylindrical in shape; decorated with squamose setae; dorsal pattern not visible (abdomen damaged in holotype), but with brown scutum connecting to median constriction; white lateral stripes may also be present; venter lighter than dorsum; sigilla not visible. Palp: retrolateral tibial apophysis present on retrolateral surface; median apophysis similar in size to embolus, curved prolaterally; sperm duct present on retrolateral surface of tegulum, curved sharply at median basal margin of tegulum; embolus straight, slanted retrolaterally; cymbium thin above tegulum; two small, slightly thickened spines present at tip; two large spines present pre–apically on cymbium (Figs 163, 164).

Distribution. Micaria sanipass sp. nov. is only known from its type locality (Map 5).