Genus Geraesta Simon, 1889

Type species: Geraesta hirta Simon, 1889 Figs 7 F, 39A–E, 40A–F, 41A–F

Geraesta Simon, 1889: 225 (type species by original designation Geraesta hirta Simon, 1889). Examined.

Diagnosis. Sister to Borboropactus, thus easily confused with it. Separated from Borboropactus and all other thomisids by the presence of two to three trichobothria on the dorsal surface of the cymbium of the male palp (Figs 40 D, 42B, 43C, 45E). Females can be separated by the presence of an epigynal lip (Figs 41 E, 42C, 44D, 46D). Other diagnostic characters are the presence of a colulus (Figs 41 F, 46E; also present in Pharta, separated from it by the cup-shaped MA) and the presence of a DTA (Fig 39 C). Separated from Epidius by the absence of an elongated male palp tibia (tibia is longer than the cymbium in Epidius; Fig 35 C) and the absence of 4 to 6 thick long spines on the distal margin of the tibia of the male palp (Figs 33 B, 35C, 36B). Separated from Cebrenninus by the presence of a free embolus that originates at the center of the bulb; and the presence of a SDT inward turn in the male palp in Cebrenninus (Figs 27 A, 30A). Females can be separated from those of Cebrenninus by the presence of large globular spermathecae that lack CD in the latter genus (Figs 30 D).

Distribution. Madagascar, Tanzania, and possibly all over the rest of Africa.

Remarks. Judging from illustrations in Ledoux (2004) Prepotelus Simon, 1898 might be a synonym of Geraesta .