The Malagasy Goblin Spiders of the New Genus Molotra (Araneae: Oonopidae) Ubick, Darrell Griswold, Charles E. American Museum Novitates 2011 2011-12-28 2011 3729 1 72 43YJT Ubick & Griswold 2011 [504,671,1345,1371] Arachnida Oonopidae Molotra Animalia Araneae 18 19 Arthropoda species tsingy  DIAGNOSIS: The single species included in this group is known only from the male, which differs from other members of the genus in being small (1.5 mm), pale in coloration, and with a smoother carapace (figs. 231–243). The palp is unusual in being twisted from the palpal axis and in resting laterally on the sternum, which lacks the typically large anterior cavities (figs. 242, 256–261). The embolar region differs from that in other  Molotrain having a deep transverse groove prolaterally, lobes oriented in a vertical plane (rather than horizontal), and the presence of a dorsal and ventral prong on the prolateral surface (figs. 279–292). SPECIES INCLUDED:  Molotra tsingy.    Molotra tsingy, new species  Figures 5, 231–292; map 1; table 1   TYPES: Male holotypeand male paratypefrom Madagascar, Mahajanga, Parc National Tsingy de Bemaraha, 10.6 km ESE 123° Antsalova, 19.70944°S, 44.71805°E,  150 m, tropical dry forest on Tsingy, sifted litter (  16–20 Nov 2001, B.L. Fisheret al., BLF 4432) deposited in  CAS( CASENT9010360,PBI_OON_03397).  ETYMOLOGY: The species is named after the typelocality.  DIAGNOSIS: Same as for species group.  MALE: (PBI_OON_03397): Total length 1.56. CEPHALOTHORAX: Carapace pale orange, surface of elevated portion of pars cephalica smooth, sides smooth; nonmarginal pars thoracica setae absent (figs. 239–243, 248–251). Eyes: smaller than in other  Molotraspecies, ALE separated by more than their diameter (fig. 252). Sternum slightly longer than wide, yellow-brown, anterior excavation very narrow, surface with few small pits (figs. 242, 256, 258). Mouthparts: Endites distally excavated, anteromedian tip with strong, knoblike projection (figs. 253–255). ABDOMEN: Book lung covers oval, larger than in  M. molotragroup, slightly smaller than pedicel cross section (figs. 235, 262). Pedicel-scutal region lacking ridges (figs. 262, 263). Dorsal scutum yellow-brown, surface smooth (figs. 232–236). Epigastric scutum dorsal extension only slightly greater than pedicel diameter (figs. 236, 262). Postepigastric scutum with short posteriorly directed lateral apodemes (not closely examined) (fig. 238). Dorsal setae present, short. LEGS: Yellow-brown, patella plus tibia I shorter than carapace. Leg spines present, longer than leg segment width: tibiae: I v4-2-2; II v3-2-2; metatarsi I, II v 2-2-0 (figs. 244–247). Tarsal claws: superior claw surfaces striate; proclaws and retroclaws with similar dentition, with five large median teeth, laterals absent (tarsus III not examined) (figs. 271–278). GENITALIA: Epigastric region with sperm pore large, oval (figs. 238, 264, 265). Palp femur attaches to patella basally (fig. 279), tibia slightly longer than patella, embolar region with a broad, ectally concave retrolateral lobe (L2), a smaller wrinkled dorso-prolateral lobe (L1) and two prolateral prongs (fig. 287); cymbium and bulb twisted, so that the morphologically dorsal surface is positioned prolaterally (fig. 281); embolar region separated from rest of bulb by a transverse groove (fig. 290). FEMALE: Unknown. NOTES: This species has an interesting palp, as the bulb and tarsus are rotated relative to the main palpal axis. The embolus is thus displaced outward (retrolaterally) and, in the retracted palp, rests in the space between the edge of the sternum and coxae II and III. The anterior margin of the sternum has only a slight cavity (figs. 260, 261), similar to the condition in female  Molotra(fig. 90), but unlike the deep cavities found in other  Molotramales (fig. 87). This unusual mode of palpal retraction is another indication that the species may be misplaced in the genus. Additional material, especially of the unknown female, will be needed to solve this problem. OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED: None.  DISTRIBUTION: Known only from the typelocality. 2001-11-16 2001-11-20 2001-11-16 TYPES Tsingy & B. L. Fisher Madagascar Male 150 -19.70944 Antsalova 1 44.71805 Parc National 19 20 2 Mahajanga holotype CAS Madagascar 19 20 CASENT9010360 1 Mahajanga holotype