Eleleis okavango sp. nov.

Figs 12B, 20 A–F

Type material. Male holotype from Botswana, Okavango Delta, Shorobe Lagoon, 19°30’S 023°00’E, 1 November 1975, A. Russell-Smith leg., deposited in MRAC 236855. Paratypes: 5 males and 1 female with same data as holotype; Namibia, Etosha National Park, Andoni, 18°30’S 16°45’E, 4 males, 19 May–20 June 1986 , E. Griffin leg. (SMN 39452); Dorstland, 18°40’S 14°44’E, 1 female, 10 February–20 March 1987 , E. Griffin leg. (SMN 40002) .

Etymology. The specific name refers to the type locality, noun in apposition.

Diagnosis. Males of Eleleis okavango sp. nov. resemble those of E. limpopo sp.nov. by the RTA subdistally bent ventrally, but differ by the RTA with a twisted tip in retrolateral view (tip pointing upwards in retrolateral view in E. limpopo sp. nov.) (Fig. 20C). Females resemble those of E. crinita, E. limpopo sp. nov. and E. luderitz sp. nov. by the median atrium smaller than the posterior median excavation, but differ by the subtriangular median atrium, slightly longer than wide (wider than long in E. limpopo sp. nov. and E. crinita sp. nov.) and by the posterior median excavation with lateral margins converging posteriorly (pentagonal in E. luderitz sp. nov.) (Fig. 20D).

Description. Male (MRAC 236855). Total length: 2.10. Carapace 0.85 long, 0.67 wide; Abdomen 1.10 long, 0.55 wide; Sternum 0.66 long, 0.54 wide; Spinnerets ALS 0.21 long, 0.10 wide. Eye diameters: AME 0.04, ALE 0.04, PME 0.05, PLE 0.06; interdistances: AME–AME 0.03, PME–PME 0.02. Chelicerae 0.26 long. Leg measurements: I: 2.28 (0.68, 0.42, 0.44, 0.38, 0.36); II: 1.75 (0.54, 0.29, 0.32, 0.31, 0.29); III: 1.57 (0.45, 0.25, 0.28, 0.31, 0.28); IV: 2.32 (0.67, 0.37, 0.46, 0.44, 0.38). Palp: tegular excavation on median region of the tegulum (Fig. 20B).

Female (MRAC 236855). Total length: 2.20. Carapace 0.90 long, 0.66 wide; Abdomen 1.13 long, 0.70 wide; Sternum 0.68 long, 0.50 wide; Spinnerets ALS 0.12 long, 0.10 wide. Eye diameters: AME 0.04, ALE 0.04, PME 0.06, PLE 0.06; interdistances: AME–AME 0.03, PME–PME 0.02. Chelicerae 0.23 long. Leg measurements: II: 1.82 (0.55, 0.34, 0.31, 0.29, 0.33); III: 1.69 (0.48, 0.29, 0.28, 0.34, 0.30). Legs I and IV lost. Epigyne: atrium with anterior margin strongly sclerotized; posterior median excavation strongly sclerotized; atrium smaller than posterior median excavation (Fig. 20D). Vulva: proximal part of copulatory duct straight, running anteriorly; connecting ducts strongly convoluted laterally; fertilization ducts arising medially from primary spermathecae (Fig. 20E).

Variation. Total length (5 males): 1.72–2.25; (5 females): 2.05–3.10. The specimens from Namibia are generally darker .

Distribution. Botswana and Namibia (Fig. 24).

Other material examined. NAMIBIA: Etosha National Park, S of Mushare, 18°37’S 16°53’E, 1 female, 10 August–14 September 1987, E. Griffin leg. (SMN 40674) ; 1 female, 14 October–14 November 1986, E. Griffin leg. (SMN 39785); Karossfontein, 19°21’S 14°31’E, 1 male, 23 March–27 April 1988, E. Griffin leg. (SMN 41032) ; Okaukuejo / Duikersdrink, 19°04’S 14°43’E, 1 male, 8 October–14 November 1986, E. Griffin leg. (SMN 39800) .