Austrachelas sexoculata n. sp.

(Figs 13, 76, 77)

Diagnosis. This species is unique in the genus by the reduction and absence of the anterior median eyes.

Etymology. This species is named for the Latin “ sex ” (six) and “ ocularis ” (eyes), and reflects the presence of only six eyes and the absence of the anterior median eyes.

Male. Measurements: CL 4.43, CW 3.05, FL 0.45, AL 4.35, AW 2.50, SL 2.40, SW 1.60, TL 9.15, ALE–ALE 0.32, PME–PME 0.07, PME–PLE 0.12, PLE–PLE 0.58.

Length of leg segments (sequence from femur to tarsus, and total): I 3.20 + 1.75 + 2.30 + 1.80 + 1.05 = 10.10; II 3.00 + 1.70 + 2.18 + 1.70 + 0.95 = 9.53; III 2.55 + 1.28 + 1.48 + 1.82 + 0.92 = 8.05; IV 3.43 + 1.70 + 2.43 + 3.00 + 1.12 = 11.68.

Carapace deep red, paler along midline (Fig. 13); AME absent, ALE large, separated by distance equal to 1½ times their diameter; clypeus height equal to 1¼ times ALE diameter; PER straight, laterals larger than medians; PME separated by distance equal to ¾ their diameter, PME separated from PLE by distance equal to 1½ times PME diameter. Chelicerae deep red-brown, anterior margin with coarse ridges; promargin with three teeth, proximal and median teeth larger, subequal in size, closer to each other than to distal tooth; retromargin with single small denticle close to fang base. Legs all orange-brown, paler distally. Leg spination: femora: I pl 1 do 1, II pl 1 do 1, III pl 1 do 2 rl 1, IV do 2; patellae: spineless; tibiae: I & II spineless, III pl 2 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 1 vt 2, IV pl 2 rl 2 plv 2 rlv 2 vt 2; metatarsi: I & II spineless, strongly scopulate, III & IV scopulate in distal half, III pl 6 rl 4 plv 1 rlv 1 vt 2, IV pl 5 rl 5 plv 2 rlv 1 vt 1. Abdomen dark grey dorsally (Fig. 13), cream laterally and ventrally; dorsum and venter lacking scutum or other sclerites. Palpal tibia with spoon-shaped prolateral ventral apophysis and simple triangular retrolateral apophysis; median tegular apophysis broad, hook-like; embolus arc-shaped, with small tooth-like projections prolaterally and retrolaterally on distal margin of embolus (Figs 76, 77); palpal spination: femora do 2.

Female: unknown.

Type material: Holotype 3: SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape Province, East London [33°02'S, 27°55'E], V.1916, Dr Rattray (AMG).

Distribution. Known only from the type locality (Fig. 82).