Revision and molecular phylogeny of the spider genus Micaria Westring, 1851 (Araneae: Gnaphosidae) in the Afrotropical Region Author Booysen, Ruan 0000-0002-0841-9143 booysenr@ufs.ac.za Author Haddad, Charles R. 0000-0002-2317-7760 haddadcr@ufs.ac.za text Zootaxa 2021 2021-03-04 4940 1 1 82 journal article 7420 10.11646/zootaxa.4940.1.1 a09df80c-5d8b-44da-8f25-723f107c6c49 1175-5326 4580917 5F073867-F6EA-4222-A190-77F68076BE9C Micarialaxa sp. nov. Figs 25 , 145 – 146 Type material. Holotype ♂, SOUTHAFRICA : Eastern Cape : Graaff–Reinet , Asante Sana Game Reserve , Acacia thicket, stony ground (T1S5c), pitfall traps , 1202 m a.s.l. , 32°16.98’S , 24°58.32’E , leg. J. Midgley , 28.VII.2010 (NCA 2012/2365). Etymology. The species name is translated from the Latin adjective laxus (broad), or laxa in the female form, referring to the very broad base of the embolus in the males of this species. Diagnosis. This species can be distinguished from other Afrotropical Micaria by the combination of the following: a lack of a RTA, a small prolateral diversion in the sperm duct, and a broad leaf–like embolus. Female unknown. Description. Male ( holotype from Asante Sana Game Reserve, 2012/2365): Measurements: TL 3.05, CL 1.45, CW 1.55, CL:CW 0.94, CLH 0.08, CLH:AME 1.23. Eyes: ALE 0.07, AME 0.06, PLE 0.06, PME 0.05, AME–AME 0.02, PME–PME 0.06, MOQAW 0.14, MOQPW 0.17, MOQL 0.18. SL 0.73, SW 0.52, AL 1.49, AW 0.98. Leg measurements: Palpal segment lengths: 0.48, 0.18, 0.25, 0.37. Leg I: 1.06, 0.48, 0.87, 0.70, 0.65. II: 0.87, 0.40, 0.68, 0.62, 0.60. III:?. IV: 1.10, 0.41, 0.91, 1.08, 0.64. TLoflegs (I–IV): 3.76, 3.17,?, 4.14; leg formula: most likely 4123. Colouration: carapace dark brown in colour; black abdomen; femora darkened; sternum, chelicerae, endites and labium similar in colour to carapace ( Fig. 25 ). Carapace: smooth in texture; decorated with squamose setae; faded, dark pattern radiating medially; posterior margin straight; fovea absent. Chelicerae: decorated with plumose setae; anterior margin narrowing slightly from coxa I; PER procurved in dorsal view, AER recurved in anterior view. Labium: triangular in shape; tuft of setae present on tip. Endites: oblique; cluster of setae present on inner–apical margin. Sternum: shield-like, broadest between coxa Iand II, tapered to point between coxa IV. Legs: femora laterally flattened, highest at base, leg Imore pronounced in this fashion; rest of legs normal, thin. Abdomen: cylindrical in shape; decorated with squamose setae; dorsal pattern not visible; venter similar in colour to dorsum; sigilla not visible. Leg macrosetae: Palps: 2do, 1pl, 2do, 1pl, 1pl, 1plv, 3vt. I: 1do, 1pl. II: 1d. III:?. IV: 1do, 1rl, 2pl, 2rl, 2plv, 1rlv, 2vt, 1pl, 1rl, 2plv, 2rlv, 4vt. Legs I–IV with two rows of scopulate setae on metatarsi and four rows on tarsi. Palp: retrolateral tibial apophysis absent; median apophysis present, offset medially, curved; sperm duct present on retrolateral surface of tegulum, kink present anterior to basal curve; embolus broad at base, skewed retrolaterally, tip small, thin and curved near apex; cymbium elongate, pear-shaped, widest near basal third; two small spines on tip of cymbium; three ventral terminal spines present in front of embolus ( Figs 145, 146 ). Distribution. Micaria laxa sp. nov. is only known from the type locality ( Map 5 ).