<p><strong><em>Thunberga</em> gen. nov., a new genus of huntsman spiders from Madagascar </strong><br /><strong>(Araneae: Sparassidae: Heteropodinae)</strong></p>

Abstract

A new genus of the family Sparassidae is described from Madagascar: Thunberga gen. nov. It can be distinguished from other genera of the Heteropodinae by its different cheliceral dentition and eye arrangement as well as by its uniquely dotted prosoma. Four species are transferred to the new genus: T. hildebrandti (Järvi, 1912) comb. nov. (from Rhitymna Simon, 1897a), T. malagassa (Strand, 1907) comb. nov. (from Olios Walckenaer, 1837), T. nossibeensis (Strand, 1907) comb. nov. (from Olios), T. septifer (Strand. 1908) comb. nov. (from Olios, elevated to species rank). T. hildebrandti comb. nov. is recognised as junior synonym of T. nossibeensis comb. nov. One species is described for the first time: Thunberga greta spec. nov. (female, Madagascar). The systematic placement within the family and the character “anterior epigynal pocket” are discussed.