Heliophanus (Helafricanus) furvus sp. n.

Figs 26, 27, 34–40

Etymology: From Latin furvus (black, dark), referring to the dark coloration of this species.

Diagnosis: The male is recognised from other members of the subgenus by the structure of the palp: the embolus is placed below the tip of bulb (Fig. 34), while situated at the tip in other species, e.g. H. transversus sp. n. (Fig. 62). The epigynal structure is typical for the subgenus Helafricanus, but the epigyne is quite weakly sclerotized compared to related species, with the copulatory openings placed laterally.

Description:

Measurements (♂ / ♀): Cephalothorax: length 1.9/2.1–2.3, width 1.4/1.6, height 0.8/0.9. Eye field: length 0.8/0.9, anterior width 1.1/1.3, posterior width 1.2/1.4. Abdomen: length 2.3/2.3–2.7, width 1.5/1.7.

Male.

General appearance as in Fig. 26. Body black with metallic lustre, eye field delicately pitted; narrow median white line on carapace and abdomen, and similar lines along sides of body; eye field with a few brown bristles. Mouthparts and sternum dark brown. Venter of abdomen dark grey with faint three lighter bands; spinnerets blackish. Legs dark yellow, femora of first pair with black lateral surfaces. Pedipalps black. Palpal organ as in Figs 34–38; patellar apophysis long, dorsal tibial apophysis pointed; base of embolus located prolaterally, below tip of bulb; embolus turned on bulb, perpendicular to longitudinal axis of palp, slightly curved (Fig. 34); palpal femur with small protuberance on ventral surface (Fig. 38).

Female.

General appearance as in Fig. 27. Coloration similar to male, with grey hairs on carapace, denser on anterior part of eye field, forming small patches between eyes of first row. Legs yellow with brown markings, or uniformly brown. Epigyne as in Fig. 39, with small procurved lateral posterior copulatory openings; internal structure typical for members of subgenus Helafricanus, with converging seminal ducts and spermathecae; atria without strong sclerotization (Fig. 40).

Holotype: ♂ Quthing district: Near Ha Thlaku village, 30°10'S 28°14'E, 2100 m, under rocks near Qhoali River, 14.xi.2003 (NCA 2013 /3028).

Paratypes: 6♀ Same data as holotype (NCA 2013 /3029). Quthing district : 1♂ Near Ha Frans village, 30°33'S 28°01'E, 1800 m, leaf litter, poplar forest on hillside, 16.xi.2003 (NCA 2013 /3030) .

Distribution: Known only from two localities in southern Lesotho (Fig. 48).