A Revision of the Genus Hermacha Simon, 1889 (Mygalomorphae: Entypesidae), in southern Africa with Revalidation of Hermachola Hewitt, 1915, and Brachytheliscus Pocock, 1902

Abstract

The southern African species of the mygalomorph spider genus HermachaSimon, 1889, are revised. Eight species are redescribed: H. brevicaudaPurcell, 1903; H. caudataSimon, 1889; H. evanescensPurcell, 1903; H. fulvaTucker, 1917; H. lanataPurcell, 1902; H. nigrispinosaTucker, 1917; H. sericeaPurcell, 1902; and H. tuckeriRaven, 1985. The female of H. sericea and the male of H. evanescens are described for the first time. Three new species are described: H. septemtrionalis, sp. nov., H. maraisae, sp. nov., and H. montana, sp. nov. On the basis of their genital morphology H. curvipesPurcell, 1902, and H. nigraTucker, 1917, are considered incertae sedis. Pionothele capensisZonstein, 2016, was found to be conspecific with H. brevicauda and is synonymized. The genera BrachytheliscusPocock, 1902, and HermacholaHewitt, 1915, are revalidated and redescribed. Hermacha capensis (Ausserer, 1871) and H. crudeniHewitt, 1913, are transferred to Hermachola. Hermachola crudeni (Hewitt, 1913), originally described from a female, and Hermachola grahamiHewitt, 1915, originally described from a male, were found to be conspecific and synonymized. A new species, Hermachola lyleae, sp. nov., is also described. New morphological characters for the diagnoses of these genera and a dichotomous key for all species considered here are provided. Known distributions are mapped and, where available, ecological data are included. With the exception of H. caudata and H. mazoenaHewitt, 1915, all species are endemic to South Africa, but further survey work in neighboring countries is needed. This work substantially improves the taxonomy of this group of spiders and provides a foundation for further investigation of the diversity and relationships of species within the region.