Tomocyrba ankihiberta Pett 2026, sp. nov.

Tomocyrba ankihiberta Pett sp. nov. Figs 1, 2, 5 Material examined. Holotype • ♂: Madagascar: Sofia Province, Mahimborondro protected area (Réserve de Ressources Naturelles de Mahimborondro), 14.300°S, 48.752°E, 1500 m, 29. i. 2019 – 13. ii. 2019, “ Tropical rainforest ”, Merlijn Jocque et al. leg. (RMCA_ARA_247827 / BINCO_MAD_19_0086). Paratype • ♀: same data as holotype. (RMCA_ARA_247828 / BINCO_MAD_19_0086). Diagnosis. Tomocyrba ankihiberta sp. nov. males could be distinguished from all known congeners by the barbed, slightly bent pointed embolus (Fig. 2 A – D). Based on the serrated embolus it is the most similar to those of T. barbata, but can be distinguished by; (i) embolus straight, tapered to a sharp point and projected prolaterally for entire length (Fig. 2 A, C) (vs. embolus curved retrolaterally for basal half, broad and without a tapered point in T. barbata), (ii) RTA thumb- like, short and rounded (Fig. 2 B, D) (vs. RTA projected a short distance before curving back toward palp, with thin sharp point in T. barbata). Female epigynes are most similar to those of T. berniae Szűts & Scharff, 2009 in sharing long and mostly straight CD, but those of T. ankihiberta sp. nov. are distinguished by the two CO (vs. one) and by chamber walls of ST that are paddle- shaped and chambered rather than undulating and tube- like. Etymology. The specific epithet is a noun in apposition. It is derived from the amalgamation of the Malagasy word “ ankihibe ” (meaning thumb) and RTA (retrolateral tibial apophysis), reference is made to the thumb- shaped RTA of the male. Description. Male. Measurements. TL 3.74, CL 1.80, CW 1.44, AL 1.94, AW 1.28, SL 0.88, SW 0.68. Leg measurements: I: 1.32, 0.76, 0.96, 0.68, 0.46. II: 1.04, 0.56, 0.80, 0.68, 0.36. III: 1.08, 0.42, 0.60, 0.76, 0.44. IV: 1.20, 0.48, 0.82, 0.96, 0.44. ALE 0.22, AME 0.4, PME 0.07, PLE 0.22. Colouration: carapace generally light orangish brown, eyes ringed with black, dark brown patches posterior to PLE, pale streak from fovea to posterior margin; chelicerae orangish; sternum, labium, maxillae, coxae and legs all generally pale beige, patellae, tibiae, and metatarsi I dark brown; abdomen grey with some black mottling; pedipalp cream to beige. Carapace: very high, highest at PLE, clear depression midway between lateral eyes; sparse short setae just posterior to fovea. Sternum: broadly shield- shaped, widest between coxae I & II. Legs: Legs I & II much broader. Abdomen: oval, about twice as long as wide. Pedipalp: femur slightly longer than patella and tibia together, patella and tibia about the same length; RTA thumb- like, short and rounded; SD arises medially and loops around tegulum for half its length; embolus moderately short and straight, directed prolaterally tapering to sharp point. Leg spination: (taken from right side as left leg II missing) I: F d 3 pl 1, Ti v 2-1, Mt v 1-1; II: F d 3 pl, Ti v 2-2, Mt v 2-2. Female. Measurements. TL 4.32, CL 1.76, CW 1.36, CH 1.16, SL 0.84, SW 0.64, AL 2.56, AW 1.80, chelicera length 0.76, chelicera width 0.42. Legs (taken from right as left III missing). I: 1.08, 0.60, 0.76, 0.52, 0.40. II: 0.98, 0.48, 0.56, 0.48, 0.36. III: 1.08, 0.40, 0.60, 0.64, 0.44. IV: 1.04, 0.56, 0.82, 0.84, 0.50. Eyes: AME – 0.41, ALE – 0.24, PME – 0.06, PLE – 0.30. General colouration, pattern and somatic morphology the same as in male. Except; carapace slightly lighter, dark patch behind PME lighter, pale band wider, much denser brown mottling on abdomen; female palp with dense field of short erect setae prolaterally. Leg spination: I: F d 3 pl 1, Ti v 2-2, Mt 1-1. II: F d 3 pl 1, Ti v 2-2, Mt 1-1. Epigyne: epigynal region longer than wide by about 1.5 ×; COs at anterior margin directed anteriorly, CD long and thin, directed straight posteriorly, suboval ST moderately large, separated by about half their width; glandular ducts moderately long and thin, arising ventrally on ST.