Opopaea vohibazaha, Daniela & Andriamalala & D.C. & Hormiga & D.C., 2013

Daniela, Andriamalala, D. C., Hormiga, Gustavo & D. C., 2013, Systematics Of The Goblin Spider Genus Opopaea (Araneae, Oonopidae) In Madagascar, Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 2013 (380), pp. 1-156 : 152-155

Opopaea vohibazaha , new species

Figures 946–973; map 5

TYPES: Male holotype and female allotype from Antsiranana: 7.2 km 142 ° SE Antsiranana (5 Diego-Suarez), Montagne des Français, 12.32278 ° S, 49.33817 ° E, 180 m. 23–25 February 2001, L.J. Boutin coll. (CASC PBI_OON 35032).

ETYMOLOGY: The species epithet is a name in apposition taken from the type locality ‘‘Montagne des Français’’ translated into Malagasy.

DIAGNOSIS: Males of O. vohibazaha can be most easily distinguished from those of other Opopaea species by the shape of the cymbiobulbus, which tapers anteriorly with the dorsal margin curved in an arc shape and the posterior margin (ventral) straight with one small and sharp distal protuberance, and by the cymbiobulbus tip having a sclerotized truncated, leaflike extension (figs. 172, 173, 955, 956, 959, 960, 963–973). Females of O. vohibazaha can be easily recognized by their very simple epigynum, with a short and narrow postgynum depression, and a divided scutal ridge bearing a small round parmula within its median part (figs. 174, 961, 962).

DESCRIPTION: Male (holotype) (PBI_ OON 35032). Medium-sized to large species. Total length 1.56. Color: orange. Carapace: pars cephalica elevated posteriorly with one row of two widely separated sets of four denticles, three of which bear long, and thick black needlelike hairs. Carapace anterolateral corners without sclerotized triangular extension. Clypeus low, not rebordered. Chilum absent. Eyes large. ALE largest. ALE oval, PME squared, PLE circular; PME darkened compared to other eyes, posterior eye row straight viewed from above, slightly procurved from front; ALE separated by less than their radius, ALE-PLE separated by less than ALE radius, PME touching throughout most of their length, PLE-PME separated by less than PME radius. Sternum longer than wide with radial furrows between coxae, surface smooth, without pits, shape of posterior part between coxae IV hexagonal, wide, not constricted laterally near the end. Lateral margins between coxae III unmodified, without lumps; setae more or less abundant, evenly distributed, originating from surface, without hair tufts (figs. 951– 954). Cymbiobulbus almost as long as the patella. Palpal fenestra more or less circular on prolateral side and more elongated on retrolateral side. Located at one third the length of the palp, fenestra top not raised, continuing anteriorly into an elongated sclerotized area. Palpal femora length about

two thirds the length of the palpal patella and inserted almost medially to it (figs. 172, 173, 955, 956, 959, 960, 963–973).

Female (allotype) (PBI_OON 35032). Total length 1.72. Orange, abdomen round and not flattened posteriorly. Postgynum ridge thin and sclerotized (figs. 174, 961, 962).

MEASUREMENTS: Male (holotype) ( PBI _ OON 35032). TL: 1.56 ; CL: 0.66; CW: 0.53; CH: 0.24; AL: 0.86; AW: 0.57; ALE: 0.09; PME: 0.08; PLE: 0.07; EGW: 0.23; ALE- ALE: 0.03; ALE-PLE: 0.02; PME-PME: 0;

PLE-PME: 0; CBL: 0.23; CBW: 0.10; CBL/ PTL: 0.88; FI: 0.10.

Female (allotype) ( PBI _OON 34407). TL: 1.72 ; CL: 0.73; CW: 0.60; CH: 0.33; AL: 1.09; AW: 0.88; ALE: 0.10; PME: 0.09; PLE: 0.07; EGW: 0.23; ALE-ALE: 0.02; ALE-PLE: 0.01; PME-PME: 0; PLE-PME: 0; EFL: 0.18; LAL: 0.08; PGI (LAL/EFL): 0.44; PDL/LAL: 0.5; PDW/EFL: 0.38.

VARIATION: Female: TL: 1.72–1.84; CL: 0.73–0.73; CW: 0.60–0.60; AL: 1.09–1.09; AW: 0.81–0.88.

NATURAL HISTORY: O. vohibazaha was mostly found in rainforest at 180 m elevation.

DISTRIBUTION: O. vohibazaha was found in northern Madagascar, in the province of Antsiranana (Montagne des Français) (map 5).

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED: MADA- GASCAR: Antsiranana: 7.2 km 142 ° SE Antsiranana (5 Diego-Suarez), Montagne des Français, 12.32278 ° S, 49.33817 ° E, 180 m. 23–25 February 2001, L.J. Boutin coll. (CASC PBI_OON 35032), 1♀.