Cheiracanthium ampijoroa sp. nov.

Figs 5, 13–15

Type material from Madagascar: Holotype ♀, Mahajanga, Park National d’Ampijoroa Station Forestiére, 40 km 306ºNW Andranofasika, 16º19’15”S, 46º48’38”E, 26.III–1.IV.2001, Fisher, et al. (CASC 9007584). Paratypes: 2♀, Mahajanga, Park National d’Ampijoroa Station Forestiére, 40 km 306ºNW Andranofasika, 16º19’15”S, 46º48’38”E, 26.III–1.IV.2001, J.J. Rafanomezantsoa, et al. (CASC 9002655); 1♀, Fianarantsoa, Park National Ranomafana, Tatatakely, 21º14.9’S, 47º25.6’E, 5–18.IV.1998, C.E. Griswold et al. (CASC).

Etymology. The name is a noun in apposition of the type locality.

Diagnosis. C. ampijoroa sp. nov. is similar to C. ambrense sp. nov., C. andranomay sp. nov., C. anjozorobe sp. nov., C. ashleyi sp. nov., C. fisheri sp. nov., C. griswoldi sp. nov., and C. rothi sp. nov. in the dumbbell-shaped spermathecae. In C. ampijoroa sp. nov. females are differentiated by the copulatory ducts proceeding anteriorly, then laterally and then posteriorly before curving medially (Fig. 15). Males unknown.

Description. Female: (n = 4): TL = 7.58 (7.00–8.20); CL = 3.08 (2.60–3.50); CW = 2.25 (1.90–2.50); OAL = 0.43 (0.40–0.45); OAW = 1.36 (1.15–1.50); CLL = 0.1 (0.1–0.1). Chelicerae: robust with long fangs; cheliceral fang furrow with eight teeth of unequal size, PMT:RMT = 3:5 (Fig. 13). Measurements: AME–AME 0.10; AME–ALE 0.25; AME diameter 0.20; PME–PME 0.25; PME–PLE 0.30; PME diameter 0.15; MOQAW 0.50; MOQPW 0.55; CI (CL/CW) 1.40; LL:CL 5.49; STL 1.70; STW 1.25. Leg measurements: I—4.5+1.4+5.4+5.6+2.3 = 19.2; II—3.0+1.1+3.0+3.2+1.1 = 11.4; III—2.2+0.9+1.8+2.3+0.9 = 8.1; IV—3.3+1.1+3.0+3.6+1.1 = 12.1; palp—1.6+0.5+1.2+1.3 = 4.6. Leg spines: I 0-1p-1p, 1v-2v- 0, 2v- 2v-1v; II 0-1p-1p, 1v-2 v1 p-0, 2v -2 v1 p- 1v; III 0- 1p-1p1r, 1v- 1p1r-0, 2 v1 p1r-2 v1 p1r-3 v1 p1r; IV 0-1p-1p1r, 1v- 1r-0, 2 v1 p-2 v1 p1r-3 v1 p1r. Abdomen (Fig. 5): greywhite with indistinct heartmark. Epigynum (Figs 14–15): wider than long with two depressions separated by a septum; copulatory openings in the posterior-medial edge of depressions; internally, copulatory ducts proceed anterolaterally, curving medially before ending in medio-posterior part of dumbbell-shaped spermathecae; fertilization ducts exit spermathecae posteromedially.

Male: unknown.

Distribution. Only known from two localities in central Madagascar (Fig. 21). Habitat. Collected in tropical dry forest.