Abstract:
The southern African species of the mygalomorph spider genus Hermacha Simon, 1889, are
revised. Eight species are redescribed: H. brevicauda Purcell, 1903; H. caudata Simon, 1889; H.
evanescens Purcell, 1903; H. fulva Tucker, 1917; H. lanata Purcell, 1902; H. nigrispinosa Tucker,
1917; H. sericea Purcell, 1902; and H. tuckeri Raven, 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. curvipes Purcell, 1902, and H. nigra Tucker, 1917, are considered incertae sedis.
Pionothele capensis Zonstein, 2016, was found to be conspecific with H. brevicauda and is synonymized.
The genera Brachytheliscus Pocock, 1902, and Hermachola Hewitt, 1915, are revalidated
and redescribed. Hermacha capensis (Ausserer, 1871) and H. crudeni Hewitt, 1913, are transferred
to Hermachola. Hermachola crudeni (Hewitt, 1913), originally described from a female, and Hermachola
grahami Hewitt, 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. mazoena Hewitt, 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.
