Microcyba Holm, 1962

Tanasevitch, Andrei V., 2023, Survey of the Ethiopian linyphiid spider fauna. I. Subfamily Erigoninae (Arachnida, Araneae, Linyphiidae), Zootaxa 5346 (4), pp. 420-442 : 427

Genus Microcyba Holm, 1962

Type species: Microcyba falcata Holm, 1962 , by original designation.

Remarks. Microcyba is a relatively small Afrothropical genus presently known to contain 18 species, all occurring in mountainous regions. Members of the genus Microcyba can easily be recognized by the small size (1.20–1.60 mm), the carapace high in lateral view in both sexes, the chaetotaxy formula 1.1.1.1, and the absence of a trichobothrium on metatarsus IV. The male palp is characterized by the modified tibia, the distal suprategular apophysis moderately long, an elongated and often curved radix with a relatively short embolus. The female is diagnosed by the compact, well-sclerotized, protruded epigynum; openings covered by an overhanging ventral plate, the welldeveloped dorsal plate, as well as the subspherical receptacles.

Distribution. The genus is distributed in the mountains of Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda (Word Spider Catalog 2023), presently being recorded from Ethiopia as well.

Two species described below can easily be assigned to Microcyba , being very similar to other congeners in showing the same chaetotaxy (1.1.1.1) and trichobothriotaxy (Tm I–III present, TmIV absent), a similarly modified carapace in both sexes (high in lateral view), the conformation of the male palp, namely, the modified palpal tibia, the peculiar structure of the embolic division, as well as a similarly shaped epigynal plate.