Cheiracanthium africanum Lessert, 1921

Cheiracanthium africanum Lessert, 1921: 411, figs 41–44; Lessert, 1929: 137, fig. 19; Lawrence, 1947: 32; Caporiacco, 1947: 194; Caporiacco, 1949: 433; Lotz, 2007a: 10, figs 9–16.

Cheiracanthium franganilloi Caporiacco, 1949: 438, fig. 72. Synonomyzed by Lotz, 2007a: 10. Cheiracanthium nigropalpatum Schmidt & Jocqué, 1983: 357, fig. 3. Synonomyzed by Lotz, 2007a: 10. Cheiracanthium inclusum (Hentz, 1847: 451); Ledoux, 2004: 187 (misidentified). Lotz, 2007a: 10, f. 9–16 (removed from

synonymy of C. inclusum, contra Ledoux, 2004a: 187).

Diagnosis. C. africanum can be recognized by the twisted copulatory ducts of the females, and the bipunctated RTA and the bilobed TA of the males (Lotz 2007a: figs 12, 15).

Description. See Lotz (2007a) for description and illustrations of both sexes.

New records from material examined: MADAGASCAR: 4♂ 1♀, Antisirana, 7 km N Joffreville, 12º20’S, 49º15’E, I–II.2001, R. Harin’Hala (CASC 9002062, 9002079, 9010103); 1♂, Fianarantsoa, 84 km NE Ihosy, 22º28’S, 45º49’E, IV.1994, A. Pauly (MRAC 201962); 1♂, Toliara, Forêt de Mahavelo, Isantoria River, 24º45’30”S, 46º09’26”E, 28.I–1.II.2002, Fisher, Griswold et al. (CASC 9009953); 1♂, Toliara, Mahafaly nr Eloetse by Lac Tsimanampetsoa, 24º10’S, 43º45’E, 15–16.IX.1992, V. & B. Roth (CASC); 1♂, Toliara, Mahafaly Plateau, 24º39’13”S, 43º59’48”E, 21–25.II.2002, Fisher, Griswold et al. (CASC 9013152); 1♂, Toliara, Park National de Tsimanampetsotsa, Forêt de Bemanateza, 20.7 km 81ºE Efoetse, 23 km 131ºSE Beheloka, 23º59’32”S, 43º52’50”E, 22–26.III.2002, Fisher, Griswold et al. (CASC 9000428); 1♂, Toliara, Réserve Spéciale de Cap Sainte Marie, 12.3 km 262ºW Marovalo, 25º34’54”S, 45º10’06”E, 11–15.II.2002, Fisher, Griswold et al. (CASC 9012670).

Distribution. Well represented in southern Africa (Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zimbabwe), West Africa (Gabon, Nigeria), Central Africa (Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia), East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania), Madagascar (Fig. 19) and Réunion.

Habitat. Collected from a wide variety of habitats, including buildings, gardens, grassland, cultivated crops, shrubs, trees and from under stones.