Genus Purcelliana Cooke, 1964

Purcelliana Cooke, 1964: 282 (Type species by monotypy, Purcelliana problematica Cooke, 1964).

Diagnosis. Species of Purcelliana are distinguished from those of other Prodidominae genera by the presence of short clavate setae on the carapace, chelicerae, legs and abdomen (Figs 26A, C–E) and by having legs I markedly longer than the other legs (Fig. 26B). Males are distinguished by the short embolus arising from the tegulum at 10 o’clock position (Figs 30 A–D, 31B, E, 32B), and females by the epigyne with a pair of V-shaped copulatory openings and a triangular posterior median depression (Figs 32E, 33D).

Description. Total length of males 1.68–3.3 and females 1.92–3.76. Carapace approximately as wide as long, slightly narrow at cephalic region (Figs 26A, B). Fovea absent. Eight eyes; posterior eye row strongly procurved, anterior eye row approximately straight (Figs 26A, D, E); PME and PLE irregular; AME dark; AME–ALE, PME– PLE, ALE–PLE contiguous. Chilum absent. Chelicerae relatively small (0.23–0.6), without boss (Fig. 26D) or teeth (Figs 27D, E); long fang without shaft serrula (Fig. 27E, F); dorsal surface of paturon with clavate setae erect, resembling spines (Fig. 26D). Endites anteriorly convergent, with few hairs on internal margin, distal margin smaller than basal margin, longitudinal groove in prolateral edge and serrula absent (Figs 26D, 27C, D); labium approximately as wide as long (Figs 26D, 27C). Sternum longer than wide, anterior margin straight, rebordered anteriorly and laterally; posterior region strongly protruding between coxae IV, with numerous long and erect setae (Fig. 26F); intercoxal setae absent and precoxal triangles present. Pedicel with anterior region truncate. Leg formula 1423. Legs without spines, except the ventral tarsus with clustered clavate setae, resembling spines. Trichobothria present on dorsal tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi, arranged in two rows; bothrium with three ridges on proximal plate (Fig. 28C). Tarsal organ capsulate, with rounded opening, located dorsally and distally on tarsi (Fig. 28D). Two smooth claws (Fig. 28A); dense claw tufts of tenent setae inserted in well-delimited plate; solid claw tuft clasper present (Fig. 28B). Abdomen oval, longer than wide (Figs 26A, B); dorsum of abdomen without curved setae anteriorly. Six spinnerets; ALS as long as wide, almost contiguous (Figs 26G, H, 29A, B, E), piriform gland spigots elongated, with associated setae (Figs 29B, C), major ampulate gland spigot field on well-defined conical structure (Fig. 29C), male with one major ampulate gland spigot and female with two; PLS and PMS short, PLS larger than PMS (Fig. 26H); PMS and PLS with claviform setae (Fig. 29D); PLS in males and females apparently only with one minor ampulate gland spigot (Figs 29D, F), without aciniform gland spigots and cylindrical gland spigot; PMS with apparently two aciniform gland spigots. Female palp: tarsus truncated, with apical chemosensory patch, without claw (Figs 28E, F). Male palp: femur unmodified, without spines; tibia short, less than half cymbium length. Two RTAs, vRTA straight and dRTA pointing retrolaterally; cymbium with apical scopula (Fig. 30B); bulb ovoid, with tegular laminar extension in distal part (Fig. 30D); sperm duct with terminal part narrow (Figs 32B, 33A); embolus insertion fused to tegulum (Figs 30A, D, 31A, D, 32A); conductor small and hyaline, arising at 12 o’clock position (Figs 30D, 32B, 33A). Vulva: copulatory ducts convoluted; secondary spermathecae absent; primary spermathecae inconspicuous; fertilization ducts laterad (Figs 32F, 33E).

Distribution. Namibia and South Africa (Fig. 34).

Composition. Four species: Purcelliana cederbergensis sp. nov., P. kamaseb sp. nov., P. khabus sp. nov. and P. problematica Cooke, 1964 .