Cryptostemma Guérin-Méneville, 1838: 11 [junior homonym of Cryptostemma Her-rich-Schäffer, 1835 (Insecta: Hemiptera)], type species by monotypy: Cryptostemma westermannii Guérin-Méneville, 1838; Gervais, 1844: 130, 131; Karsch, 1892: 30–32; Hansen and Sørensen, 1904: 146.

Ricinoides Ewing, 1929: 586 [replacement name for Cryptostemma Guérin-Méneville, 1838]; Petrunkevitch, 1955: 160; Harvey, 2003: 182.

Diagnosis: Ricinoides has traditionally been separated from the New World genera, Cryptocellus and Pseudocellus, by the presence of three characters: a pronounced toothlike process, the so-called Ricinoides tooth, on the dorsal surface of the cheliceral manus (fig. 3A); the tarsus of leg I and terminal tarsomere of leg II and, especially, III and IV, sublinear dorsally, covering the ungues; a large lateral lobe, referred to herein as the prolateral laminar (PL) lobe, on the male copulatory apparatus (Tuxen, 1974; Platnick, 1980). Two other, putative synapomorphies of Ricinoides, both on the cheliceral movable finger, were identified in the present investigation: a sharp, prodorsal longitudinal carina aligned with the teeth (fig. 3A); and a shallow, prolateral excavation, delimited by two parallel carinae, on the mucron (fig. 3B). These new characters, observed in all known species of Ricinoides, were confirmed absent in the type species of Cryptocellus and Pseudocellus based on examination of the type specimens.

Cryptostemma afzelii Thorell, 1892: 10–17, figs. 1–8; Hansen and Sørensen, 1904: 150, 151, pl. 8, figs. 2a–g; Petrunkevitch, 1913: 77, fig. 43.

Ricinoides afzelii (Thorell, 1892): Ewing, 1929: 597; Kästner, 1932: 103, fig. 140; Bolívar y Pieltain, 1942: 201; Pollock, 1966: 402–405, unnumbered figs.; 1967: 19–22; Kennaugh, 1968: 394–396, pls. IIb, IIIa, IVb, Vb, VI; Kaestner, 1968: 204, 207; Tuxen, 1974: 91–96 (part, material from Sierra Leone), figs. 5, 8; Savory, 1977: 216, fig. 88; Legg, 1978a: 91, 93, 98; 1978b: 124, 125, figs. 1, 2; Harvey, 1984: 209, fig. 10; Dunlop, 1994: 56, unnumbered fig.; 1996: 195, fig. 11 (misidentification); Harvey, 2003: 183 (part); García et al., 2015: 455.

Ricinoides afzeli: Savory, 1964: 198, fig. 101.

Ricinoides cf. afzelii: Murienne et al., 2013: 2, figs. 1, 2 (misidentification).

Type Material Examined: Holotype ♀(NHRS JUST 518, Thorell Collection), SIERRA LEONE, Afzelius. A microvial contains the following detached pieces: sinistral chelicera, dextral pedipalp femur and second trochanter, and two pieces of the tarsi of legs III or IV. The following body regions are missing: cucullus, dextral chelicera, sinistral pedipalp femur and tibia, dextral pedipalp first trochanter and tibia, tarsus of leg III or IV, and second to fifth tarsomeres of both legs II.

Diagnosis: The male of Ricinoides afzelii resembles the males of R. atewa, R. iita, and R. kakum in the modified ventral part of the cucullus. It further resembles the male of R. iita in possessing an apical brushlike row of yellowish setae on the proventral surface of the metatarsus of leg III, and in the dimensions of the femur of leg IV, which is wider than the femur of leg III and deeper than the femur of leg I, characters uniquely shared by the two species. On the other hand, the male of R. afzelii resembles the males of R. atewa and R. kakum in the presence of enlarged tubercles on the distal half of the ventral surface of the pedipalp tibia. The male of R. afzelii differs from the males of R. atewa, R. iita, and R. kakum in the following respects: the cucullus bears a pronounced anteromedian knoblike tubercle (fig. 9A), the distal retroventral tubercles of the pedipalp tibia are greatly enlarged (fig. 20A), the femur of leg I is wider than the femur of leg IV which, in turn, is wider than the femur of leg III, and the metatarsus of leg I bears a prominent ventral excrescence (fig. 21A). Ricinoides afzelii may further be recognized by the structure of the fixed process of the male copulatory apparatus (figs. 28A, C, E, G, I, 33A), in which the β lobe is entire and the pd lobe dorsoventrally expanded and laterally compressed (table 2).

Description of Male: Based on the male from Bo (BMNH 13588948).

Measurements: Total length 9.68 mm (table 3).

Coloration: Soma and appendages predominantly dark reddish-brown, almost black. Carapace dorsolateral translucent areas yellowish. Opisthosomal tergal and pleural membranes yellow, hyaline. Cheliceral manus yellow; fingers, finger dentition, and manus toothlike process dark.

Setation: Surfaces densely covered with short, translucent, bristlelike setae, slightly expanded but not navicular, length similar to height of surrounding tuberose granules (figs. 6A, 14A). Polygonal setae absent.

Tegument surface macrosculpture: Tegument very irregular, without cuticular pits. Carapace, cucullus, opisthosomal sclerites, legs, and, to lesser extent, coxal region covered with coarse, rounded tuberose granules, evenly spaced apart, not clustered together (figs. 6A, 9A, 11A, 14A, 21A, 22A, C, E, G). Opisthosoma, pleural membranes finely and densely granular; tergal membranes more sparsely granular. Pedipalp femur retrolateral surface finely granular, dorsal and prolateral surfaces more coarsely granular; tibia with elevated oval tubercles distally (fig. 20A), tubercles on ventral surface enlarged and arranged into two (proventral and retroventral) rows, distal retroventral tubercles largest.

Carapace: Carapace wider than long, broadest between coxae of legs II and III; trapezoidal, lateral margins curved, narrowing anteriorly (fig. 6A); anterior margin linear in dorsal aspect; posterior margin slightly procurved; median longitudinal sulcus, paired posterior marginal transverse sulci, and paired anterolateral longitudinal sulci distinct; paired lateral depressions present, aligned with coxae of legs II; posteromedian moundlike excrescence absent; dorsolateral translucent areas entirely smooth, medium sized, aligned with intersection between coxae of legs I and II, visible in dorsolateral aspect.

Cucullus: Cucullus broadened laterally, wider than long; ventrolateral margins rounded (fig. 9A); ventral margin predominantly linear in anterior aspect, shallowly bilobate in ventral aspect, posterior surface, median row of denticulations worn; anterior surface shallowly convex, without ventral compressed surface; pair of moderately developed sublateral longitudinal sulci; ventral part with pronounced knoblike tubercle anteromedially.

Chelicerae: Manus dorsal surface with large toothlike process distally. Movable finger longer than fixed finger, tooth row comprising eight small teeth; sharp prodorsal longitudinal carina parallel to tooth row (opposite fixed finger); mucron with shallow but distinct prolateral excavation (opposite fixed finger) delimited by two parallel longitudinal carinae. Fixed finger tooth row comprising five small teeth.

Coxosternal region: Tritosternum very small, barely visible, not abutting coxae of legs I (fig. 11A); coxae of legs II–IV abutting one another medially along entire length; coxae of legs II, anterior and posterior margins subparallel, not perpendicular to median axis, inclined anteriorly; coxae of legs II, posterior margins U-shaped medially; suture between coxae of legs II approximately 2.5× length of suture between coxae of legs III and IV.

Opisthosoma: Opisthosoma oval, longer than wide, broadest at tergite XII. Posterodorsal and posteroventral margins without spiniform granules (figs. 14A, 17A). Tergites X–XIII each comprising median and lateral sclerites; median sclerites of tergites XI–XIII each with paired, shallow submedian depressions near anterior margins; lateral margins of median sclerites converging posteriorly on tergite XI, subparallel on XII, slightly converging anteriorly on XIII; median sclerites of tergites XI and XII wider than long, of XIII approximately as wide as long, square; margins of lateral sclerites adjacent to tergal longitudinal membranes predominantly linear, tergal membranes narrow. Sternites XI–XIII each with pair of shallow submedian depressions similar to tergites (fig. 17A). Pygidium, basal segment parallel to longitudinal axis of opisthosoma; opening very narrow, subcircular, width approximately one third lateral width of segment at its base; posterior border narrow; dorsal surface with V-shaped notch; ventral surface entire.

Pedipalps: Femur globose, length approximately 2× depth. Tibia longer than femur; predominantly linear, slightly curved ventrally (fig. 20A); robust along entire length, margins parallel in dorsal and lateral aspects; apical longitudinal carinae absent. Movable finger approximately 2× length of fixed finger.

Legs: Leg II longest, femur markedly incrassate (figs. 22A, C). Femora width (at midline) increasing in order leg III < IV < I << II; dorsal surface with longitudinal sulcus most distinct on leg IV. Leg I tibia without ventral apophyses; metatarsus subcircular in cross-section, with deep proventral depression in proximal third and prominent ventral excrescence (fig. 21A). Leg II tibia with very large ventromedian apophysis proximally (fig. 22E), markedly hook shaped, with acute apex, entirely covered with tuberose granules; tibia and metatarsus without pad of long translucent setae ventrally; metatarsus without ventrosubmedian concavity, with shallow subproximal depression and moderate submedian excrescence ventrally (fig. 22G); first to third tarsomeres short, subequal, fourth approximately 2× length of preceding tarsomeres; all tarsomeres movable. Leg III metatarsus not swollen, with moderate concavity dorsodistally; proventral surface with apical brushlike row of yellowish setae; prodorsal proximal sulcus present; metatarsus, metatarsal process, and tarsus precisely fitting together to completely encase copulatory apparatus when tarsus retracted; metatarsal process situated basally near tibia, robust, tapering and slightly laterally compressed, longitudinal axis sinuous, apex pointing retrolaterally; lamina cyathiformis of second tarsomere approximately as deep as long, with pointed apex; subdistal (third) tarsomere with acute dorsodistal process. Leg IV tarsus unmodified. Legs III and IV terminal tarsomere apex, dorsal margin sublinear, covering ungues. Leg I tarsus and legs II–IV terminal tarsomeres without ventrodistal papillae.

Copulatory apparatus: Fixed process, PL lobe moderately expanded and dorsoventrally compressed (figs. 28C, G). Distal lobular region, primary α lobe very long, narrow, and dorsoventrally compressed (figs. 28A, C, E, G, I, 33A); origin submedial, curving toward prolateral surface; prolateral and retrolateral margins slightly irregular. Primary β lobe medium sized, entire. rsd lobe medium sized, pronounced, associated with distinct subdistal emargination. Secondary pd and rd lobes well developed; pd dorsoventrally expanded and laterally compressed, with rounded margin; rd pointed. Movable process slender, slightly flexible, narrowing distally; apex simple, entire.

Supplementary Description of Female: Based on the holotype (NHRS JUST 518) and the female from Bo (BMNH 13588949). Resembles male except as noted.

Measurements: Total length 8.70–9.68 mm (table 3).

Tegument surface macrosculpture: Pedipalp femur retrolateral surface finely granular, dorsal and prolateral surfaces coarsely granular; tibia, ventral surface without distinct rows of oval tubercles, distal retroventral tubercles not noticeably enlarged.

Carapace: Posteromedian moundlike excrescence absent (fig. 7A).

Cucullus: Ventral part without knoblike tubercle anteromedially; ventrolateral margins rounded; ventral margin predominantly linear in anterior aspect.

Coxosternal region: Coxae of legs II–IV abutting one another medially along entire length (fig. 12A); coxae of legs II, posterior margin V-shaped medially.

Opisthosoma: Opisthosoma oval (figs. 15A, 18A). Tergites XI–XIII, median sclerites wider than long. Opening of basal segment of pygidium very narrow, subcircular.

Pedipalps: Tibia entirely linear.

Legs: Leg I metatarsus without prominent ventral excrescence or proximal depression proventrally. Leg II femur unmodified, longer than but similar in shape to femora of other legs; tibia without ventromedian apophysis; metatarsus without subproximal depression or submedian excrescence ventrally. Leg III metatarsus without apical brushlike row of setae proventrally.

Spermathecae: Anterior wall of bursa copulatrix with pair of large, slightly pigmented, rounded areas. Anterior surface with 24 hard, sacculiform structures, variable in size, 12 on either side, arranged into two L-shaped rows (fig.34A). Spermathecae follicular, each comprising soft, elongate tube terminating in tapering duct, situated submedially on anterior surface of bursa copulatrix adjacent to dorsal margin. Posterior genital lip as in figure 34A.

Distribution: This species is known only from Bo in the Southern Province of Sierra Leone (fig. 5), where it is codistributed with Ricinoides leonensis Legg, 1978. Records of this species from Guinea (Tuxen, 1974; Harvey, 2003; Naskrecki, 2008) are referred to R. nzerekorensis. Reports of R. afzelii from Ghana (Dunlop, 1996; Harvey, 2003) are probably also misidentifications given the narrow geographical distribution of most ricinuleid species and the geographical distance between the two countries.

Remarks: The type locality in Sierra Leone is unknown. In 1964–1965, J. Pollock collected a large series of ricinuleids at Bo, comprising specimens identified by Pollock (1967) as R. afzelii and others, later described by Legg (1978a) as R. leonensis. Subsequent publications cited Bo as a locality record for R. afzelii (Legg, 1978a, 1978b; Harvey, 1984). Ricinoides afzelii was erroneously reported from several localities in Guinea (Tuxen, 1974; Harvey, 2003; Naskrecki, 2008). Tuxen (1974) redescribed the species based mostly on specimens from Nzérékoré. Reexamination of the holotype of R. afzelii and material from Bo and Nzérékoré, during the present investigation, confirmed that the material from Bo is conspecific with the holotype, whereas the material from Nzérékoré represents a new species, described below as R. nzerekorensis.

A female from Mount Gangra, Guinea, identified as Ricinoides cf. afzelii by Murienne et al. (2013), and placed outside the clade comprising other “giant” ricinuleids in their molecular phylogeny, evidently belongs to a different group of species, not the “giant” Ricinulei covered in the present contribution.

Additional Material Examined: SIERRA LEONE: E.E. Austen, 1 ♀ (BMNH 13588947). Southern Province: Bo [07°57′N 11°44′W], vi–x.1964, J. Pollock, beneath log, 1 ♂ (BMNH 13588948), same data, except: viii.1965, 2 ♂ (BMNH 13588950), 1 ♂ (BMNH 13588953), 3 ♀ (BMNH 13588949, 13588951, 13588952), 1 tritonymph (BMNH 13588954), 2 deutonymphs (BMNH 13588958), 1 deutonymph (BMNH 13588956), 1 protonymph (BMNH 13588955), 1 larva (BMNH 13588957), same data, except: 19.x.1965, 1 ♀ (AMNH IZC 324954).

Ricinoides westermannii (Guérin-Méneville, 1838): Harvey, 1984: 205–207, figs. 1–9 (misidentification); 2003: 184 (misidentification, material from Ghana).

Ricinoides atewa Naskrecki, 2008: 58–64, figs. 1–13, 20–28; Murienne et al., 2013: 2, 6, figs. 1, 2; Sharma et al., 2014: 2966, figs. 1f, 2, 3, 6, 8, 11; Fernández and Giribet, 2015: 3, 7, 8, figs. 1a, 2b, 3a–c; Sharma et al., 2015: 4, fig. 2c; Santibáñez-López, 2018: 8, fig. 1a; Sharma et al., 2018: 40, fig. 2; Ballesteros and Sharma, 2019: 902, fig. 1; Ballesteros et al., 2019: 3, 6, fig. 1a, 3a, c.

Type material: Holotype ♂ (AMNH IZC 324855), GHANA: Eastern Region: Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Asiakwa, main road, 06°15′00.7″N 00°33′53.7″W, 817 m, 7–11.xii.2007 [reported as “06°15′43.9″N 00°33′16.5″W, 827 m, 8.xii.2007” in original description], P. Naskrecki, V. Awotwe-Pratt, and N. Jengre [examined]. The vial containing the holotype includes a microvial with the detached dextral copulatory apparatus. Paratypes: 1 ♂, 2 ♀ (AMNH/MCZ), same data as holotype; 1 ♀ (MCZ), same data as original description, except: 11–16.vi.2006, P. Naskrecki; 2 ♀ (AMNH/MCZ), same data, except: along main reserve road, 06°15′00.7″N 00°33′53.7″W, 817 m, 7–11.xii.2007, P. Naskrecki, V. Awotwe-Pratt, and N. Jengre. Ajenjua Bepo Forest Reserve, 06°22′02.3″N 01°01′58″W, 300–330 m, 26–30.viii.2006, P. Naskrecki, 4 ♀ (AMNH/MCZ). Only the holotype, two males, and one female, labelled as paratypes although not listed as such in the original description (see Additional Material Examined), are present in the AMNH and there is no record that additional specimens were deposited.

Diagnosis: Ricinoides atewa most closely resembles R. kakum. The males of both species share several characters, including a group of slightly elevated granules anteromedially on the ventral part of the cucullus (fig. 10B), and moderately enlarged tubercles in the distal half of the ventral surface of the pedipalp tibia (fig. 20B). The fixed process of the male copulatory apparatus of R. atewa resembles that of R. kakum in the laterally expanded PL lobe (figs. 28D, H), a character also shared by R. eburneus, and the distinct subdistal serrations on the retrolateral margin of the α lobe (figs. 28D, H, J), which is unique to R. atewa and R. kakum (table 2). The lateral sclerites of tergite X are well developed and the tergal membranes narrow in R. atewa (figs. 14B, 15B), whereas the lateral sclerites of tergite X are obsolete and the tergal membranes broad, in R. kakum. Additionally, the moderately enlarged tubercles in the distal half of the ventral surface of the pedipalp tibia comprise two (proventral and retroventral) rows in the male of R. atewa, unlike the male of R. kakum, in which the tubercles comprise a single retroventral row.

Redescription of Male: Based on the holotype (AMNH IZC 324855).

Measurements: Total length 9.63 mm (table 3).

Coloration: Soma and appendages predominantly dark reddish brown, almost black. Carapace dorsolateral translucent areas yellowish. Opisthosomal tergal and pleural membranes yellow, hyaline. Cheliceral manus yellow; fingers, finger dentition, and manus toothlike process dark.

Setation: Surfaces densely covered with short, translucent, bristlelike setae, slightly expanded but not navicular, length similar to height of surrounding tuberose granules (figs. 6B, 14B). Polygonal setae absent.

Tegument surface macrosculpture: Tegument very irregular, without cuticular pits. Carapace, cucullus, opisthosomal sclerites, legs, and, to lesser extent, coxal region covered with coarse, rounded tuberose granules, evenly spaced apart, not clustered together (figs. 6B, 9B, 11B, 14B, 21B, 22B, D, F, H). Opisthosoma, pleural membranes finely and densely granular; tergal membranes more sparsely granular. Pedipalp femur dorsal, prolateral, and retrolateral surfaces finely granular; tibia with elevated oval tubercles distally (fig. 20B), tubercles on ventral surface moderately enlarged and arranged into two (proventral and retroventral) rows.

Carapace: Carapace wider than long, broadest between coxae of legs II and III; trapezoidal, lateral margins curved, narrowing anteriorly (fig. 6B); anterior margin linear in dorsal aspect; posterior margin slightly procurved; median longitudinal sulcus, paired posterior marginal transverse sulci, and paired anterolateral longitudinal sulci distinct; paired lateral depressions aligned with coxae of legs II; posteromedian moundlike excrescence absent; dorsolateral translucent areas entirely smooth, medium sized, aligned with intersection between coxae of legs I and II, visible in dorsolateral aspect.

Cucullus: Cucullus broadened laterally, wider than long; ventrolateral margins rounded (fig. 9B); ventral margin predominantly linear in anterior aspect, shallowly bilobate in ventral aspect, posterior surface, median row of denticulations worn; anterior surface shallowly convex, without ventral compressed surface; pair of moderately developed sublateral longitudinal sulci; ventral part with group of slightly elevated granules anteromedially (fig. 10B), without knoblike tubercle or elevation anteromedially.

Chelicerae: Manus dorsal surface with large toothlike process distally. Movable finger longer than fixed finger, tooth row comprising six or seven small teeth; sharp prodorsal longitudinal carina parallel to tooth row (opposite fixed finger); mucron with shallow but distinct prolateral excavation (opposite fixed finger) delimited by two parallel longitudinal carinae. Fixed finger tooth row comprising four small teeth.

Coxosternal region: Tritosternum very small, barely visible, not abutting coxae of legs I (fig. 11B); coxae of legs II–IV abutting one another medially along entire length; coxae of legs II, anterior and posterior margins almost parallel, slightly narrowing medially, not perpendicular to median axis, inclined anteriorly; coxae of legs II, posterior margins V-shaped medially; suture between coxae of legs II approximately 2× length of suture between coxae of legs III and IV.

Opisthosoma: Opisthosoma oval, longer than wide, broadest at tergite XII. Posterodorsal and posteroventral margins without spiniform granules (figs. 14B, 17B). Tergites X–XIII each comprising median and lateral sclerites; median sclerites of tergites XI–XIII each with paired, shallow submedian depressions near anterior margins; lateral margins of median sclerites converging posteriorly on tergite XI and, to lesser extent, XII, subparallel on XIII; median sclerites of tergites XI and XII wider than long, of XIII approximately as wide as long, square; margins of lateral sclerites adjacent to tergal longitudinal membranes predominantly linear, tergal membranes narrow. Sternites XI–XIII each with pair of shallow submedian depressions similar to tergites (fig. 17B). Pygidium, basal segment parallel to longitudinal axis of opisthosoma; opening very narrow, slightly compressed laterally, width approximately one third lateral width of segment at its base; posterior border narrow; dorsal surface with V-shaped notch; ventral surface entire.

Pedipalps: Femur globose, length approximately 2× depth. Tibia longer than femur; entirely linear (fig. 20B); robust along entire length, margins parallel in dorsal and lateral aspects; apical longitudinal carinae absent. Movable finger approximately 2× length of fixed finger.

Legs: Leg II longest, femur markedly incrassate (figs. 22B, D). Legs III and IV femora narrowest and similar in width, femora width (at midline) increasing in order leg IV = III < I << II; dorsal surface with longitudinal sulcus most distinct on leg IV. Leg I tibia without ventral apophyses; metatarsus subcircular in cross section, with deep proventral depression in proximal half and without prominent ventral excrescence (fig. 21B). Leg II tibia with large ventromedian apophysis proximally (fig. 22F), not markedly hook shaped, with pointed apex, entirely covered with tuberose granules; tibia and metatarsus without pad of long translucent setae ventrally; metatarsus with shallow subproximal depression but without ventrosubmedian concavity or excrescence (fig. 22H); first to third tarsomeres short, subequal, fourth approximately 2× length of preceding tarsomeres; all tarsomeres movable. Leg III metatarsus not swollen, with moderate concavity dorsodistally; proventral surface without apical brushlike row of setae; prodorsal proximal sulcus present; metatarsus, metatarsal process, and tarsus precisely fitting together to completely encase copulatory apparatus when tarsus retracted; metatarsal process situated basally near tibia, robust, tapering and slightly laterally compressed, longitudinal axis sinuous, apex pointing retrolaterally; lamina cyathiformis of second tarsomere slightly longer than deep, with pointed apex; subdistal (third) tarsomere with acute dorsodistal process. Leg IV tarsus not swollen. Legs III and IV terminal tarsomere apex, dorsal margin sublinear, covering ungues. Leg I tarsus and legs II–IV terminal tarsomeres without ventrodistal papillae.

Copulatory apparatus: Fixed process, PL lobe greatly expanded and dorsoventrally compressed (figs. 28D, H). Distal lobular region, primary α lobe very long, narrow, and dorsoventrally compressed (figs. 28B, D, F, H, J, 33B); origin submedial, curving toward ventral surface; prolateral margin smooth, retrolateral margin with distinct subdistal serrations. Primary β lobe medium sized, distinctly bicuspid, with β₁ and β₂ pointed. rsd lobe medium sized and pronounced, associated with distinct subdistal emargination. Secondary pd and rd lobes well developed, pointed. Movable process slender, slightly flexible, narrowing distally; apex simple, entire.

Supplementary Description of Female: Based on the female from Mamang Forest Reserve (AMNH IZC 324883). Resembles male unless otherwise noted.

Measurements: Total length 9.19 mm (table 3).

Tegument surface macrosculpture: Pedipalp tibia with oval tubercles on ventral surface smaller than in male.

Carapace: Posteromedian moundlike excrescence absent (fig. 7B).

Cucullus: Ventral part without group of elevated granules anteromedially; ventrolateral margins rounded; ventral margin predominantly linear in anterior aspect.

Coxosternal region: Coxae of legs II and IV abutting one another medially along entire length, coxae of legs III abutting along anterior two thirds (fig. 12B); coxae of legs II, posterior margin V-shaped medially.

Opisthosoma: Opisthosoma oval (figs. 15B, 18B). Tergites XI–XIII, median sclerites wider than long. Opening of basal segment of pygidium very narrow, compressed laterally.

Legs: Leg I metatarsus without proximal depression proventrally. Leg II femur unmodified, longer than but similar in shape to femora of other legs; tibia without ventromedian apophysis; metatarsus without subproximal depression ventrally.

Spermathecae: Anterior wall of bursa copulatrix with pair of medium-sized, slightly pigmented, rounded areas. Anterior surface with nine hard sacculiform structures sinistrally and seven dextrally, variable in size, some markedly elongate (fig. 34B). Spermathecae follicular, each comprising soft, elongate tube terminating in tapering duct, situated submedially on anterior surface of bursa copulatrix adjacent to dorsal margin. Posterior genital lip as in fig. 34B.

Distribution: This species is known from several localities south of Lake Volta in the Eastern Region of Ghana (fig. 5).

Remarks: Harvey's (1984, 2003) record of R. westermannii from Mt. Atewa, Ghana, the type locality of R. atewa, is probably conspecific with the latter.

Additional Material Examined: GHANA: Eastern Region: Akim Abuakwa region, NW of Asiakwa [06°16′N 00°30′W], Kibi hills, Pusa Pusa River, vii.1968, N.D. Jaga, 1 ♂, 1 ♀ (FMNH INS 3821310); Asamankese [05°51′N 00°40′W], 21.xii.1969, D. Leston, in rotten wood, dense shade on edge of coeva farm, 1 ♂ (AMNH IZC 324885); Mamang Forest Reserve, camp 2, 06°15′01.4″N 01°02′25.4″W, 130 m, 30.viii–5.ix.2006, P. Naskrecki and V. Awotwe-Pratt, 1 ♂, 1 ♀ (AMNH IZC 324883) [labeled “paratypes” but not mentioned in original description].

None of the following specimens, mentioned in the original description (Naskrecki, 2008), were located in the AMNH and there is no record they were ever deposited: GHANA: Eastern Region: Atewa Range Forest Reserve, Asiakwa, along main reserve road, 06°15′00.7″N 00°33′53.7″W, 817 m, 7–11.xii.2007, P. Naskrecki, V. Awotwe-Pratt, and N. Jengre, 4 ♂, 6 tritonymphs, 3 deutonymphs (AMNH/MCZ), same data, except: 06°15′43.9″N 00°33′16.5″W, 827 m, 8.xii.2007, 2 tritonymphs, 1 deutonymph (AMNH/MCZ). Ajenjua Bepo Forest Reserve, 06°22′02.3″N 01°01′58″W, 300–330 m, 26–30.viii.2006, P. Naskrecki, 3 ♂, 2 tritonymphs, 1 deutonymph, 1 protonymph (AMNH/MCZ) [1 ♂(AMNH IZC 324951), labeled “paratype” but not mentioned as such in original description, examined].

Type Material: Holotype ♂ (MRAC 230.162), CÔTE D'IVOIRE: Montagnes and Bas-Sassandra Districts: Forêt de Taï [Taï National Park, 05°41′N 06°56′W], C.R.E., road near Chimpanzee Camp, 20.ii.2010, M. Diarassouba, forest across river, on clayey soil, near pitfalls III, manual capture. Two microvials contain the following detached pieces: sinistral leg I and dextral copulatory apparatus.

Diagnosis: Ricinoides eburneus resembles R. nzerekorensis in possessing a distinct pad of bristlelike setae on the ventral surfaces of the tibia and metatarsus of leg II in the male (fig. 23E, G), and R. atewa and R. kakum in the laterally expanded PL lobe of the male copulatory apparatus (figs. 29C, G). The ventromedian apophysis on the tibia of leg II is smooth dorsally and prolaterally in the male of R. eburneus (fig. 23E) unlike all other species, in which the apophysis is entirely covered with granules (the apophysis is absent in R. westermannii). Ricinoides eburneus differs further from R. nzerekorensis in the structure of the ventral pad of setae on the tibia of leg II in the male, which is more distinct and comprises longer setae, more than half the depth of the metatarsus of leg II (fig. 23E). Other differences among the four species are evident in the structure of the male copulatory apparatus (table 2).

Etymology: The specific epithet is a latinized adjective for “ivory,” as in Côte d'Ivoire (or Ivory Coast), the country in which this species has been recorded, and also alludes to the large, partially smooth apophysis on the leg II tibia of the male.

Description of Male: Based on the holotype (MRAC 230.162).

Measurements: Total length 8.87 mm (table 3).

Coloration: Soma and appendages dark red. Carapace dorsolateral translucent areas yellowish. Opisthosomal tergal and pleural membranes yellow, hyaline. Cheliceral manus yellow; fingers, finger dentition, and manus toothlike process dark.

Setation: Surfaces densely covered with short, translucent, bristlelike setae, slightly expanded but not navicular, length similar to height of surrounding tuberose granules (figs. 6C, 14C). Polygonal setae absent.

Tegument surface macrosculpture: Tegument very irregular, without cuticular pits. Carapace, cucullus, opisthosomal sclerites, legs, and, to lesser extent, coxal region covered with coarse, rounded tuberose granules, evenly spaced apart, not clustered together (figs. 6C, 9C, 11C, 14C, 21C, 23A, C, E, G). Opisthosoma, pleural membranes finely and densely granular; tergal membranes more sparsely granular. Pedipalp femur dorsal, prolateral, and retrolateral surfaces finely granular; tibia with elevated oval tubercles distally (fig. 20C), not noticeably enlarged or arranged in distinct rows.

Carapace: Carapace wider than long, broadest between coxae of legs II and III; trapezoidal, lateral margins curved, narrowing anteriorly (fig. 6C); anterior margin linear in dorsal aspect; posterior margin slightly procurved; median longitudinal sulcus, paired posterior marginal transverse sulci, and paired anterolateral longitudinal sulci distinct; paired lateral depressions aligned with coxae of legs II; posteromedian moundlike excrescence absent; dorsolateral translucent areas entirely smooth, medium sized, aligned with intersection between coxae of legs I and II, visible in dorsolateral aspect.

Cucullus: Cucullus broadened laterally, wider than long; ventrolateral margins rounded (fig. 9C); ventral margin predominantly linear in anterior aspect, shallowly bilobate in ventral aspect, posterior surface with median row of small denticulations; anterior surface shallowly convex, without ventral compressed surface; pair of moderately developed sublateral longitudinal sulci; ventral part unmodified anteromedially.

Chelicerae: Manus dorsal surface with large toothlike process distally (shorter, presumably deformed, on sinistral chelicera). Movable finger longer than fixed finger, tooth row comprising six small teeth; sharp prodorsal longitudinal carina parallel to tooth row (opposite fixed finger); mucron with shallow but distinct prolateral excavation (opposite fixed finger) delimited by two parallel longitudinal carinae. Fixed finger tooth row comprising four or five small teeth.

Coxosternal region: Tritosternum very small, barely visible, not abutting coxae of legs I (fig. 11C); coxae of legs II–IV abutting one another medially along entire length; coxae of legs II, anterior and posterior margins subparallel, not perpendicular to median axis, inclined anteriorly; coxae of legs II, posterior margin V-shaped medially; suture between coxae of legs II approximately 4× length of suture between coxae of legs III and 3× length of suture between coxae of legs IV.

Opisthosoma: Opisthosoma oval, longer than wide, broadest at tergite XII. Posterodorsal and posteroventral margins without spiniform granules (figs. 14C, 17C). Tergites X–XIII each comprising median and lateral sclerites; median sclerites of tergites XI–XIII each with paired, shallow submedian depressions near anterior margins; lateral margins of median sclerites converging posteriorly on tergite XI and, to lesser extent, XII, subparallel on XIII; median sclerites of tergites XI and XII wider than long, of XIII approximately as wide as long, square; margins of lateral sclerites adjacent to tergal longitudinal membranes predominantly linear, tergal membranes narrow. Sternites XI–XIII each with pair of shallow submedian depressions similar to tergites (fig. 17C). Pygidium, basal segment parallel to longitudinal axis of opisthosoma; opening very narrow, compressed laterally, width approximately one third lateral width of segment at its base; posterior border narrow; dorsal surface with V-shaped notch; ventral surface entire.

Pedipalps: Femur globose, length approximately 2× depth. Tibia longer than femur; entirely linear (fig. 20C); robust along entire length, margins parallel in dorsal and lateral aspects; apical longitudinal carinae absent. Movable finger approximately 2× length of fixed finger.

Legs: Leg II longest, femur markedly incrassate (figs. 23A, C). Femora width (at midline) increasing in order leg IV < III < I << II; dorsal surface with longitudinal sulcus most distinct on leg IV. Leg I tibia without ventral apophyses; metatarsus subcircular in cross section, with deep proventral depression in proximal half and without prominent ventral excrescence (fig. 21C). Leg II tibia with very large ventromedian apophysis proximally (fig. 23E), markedly hook shaped, with acute apex, smooth dorsally and prolaterally, and covered with tuberose granules on other surfaces; tibia and metatarsus with distinct pad of long, translucent bristlelike setae (longer than half depth of metatarsus) ventrally (figs. 23E, G); metatarsus with shallow subproximal depression but without ventrosubmedian concavity or excrescence (fig. 23G); first to third tarsomeres short, subequal, fourth approximately 2× length of preceding tarsomeres; all tarsomeres movable. Leg III metatarsus not swollen, with moderate concavity dorsodistally; proventral surface without apical brushlike row of setae; prodorsal proximal sulcus present; metatarsus, metatarsal process, and tarsus precisely fitting together to completely encase copulatory apparatus when tarsus retracted; metatarsal process situated basally near tibia, robust, tapering and slightly laterally compressed, longitudinal axis sinuous, apex pointing retrolaterally; lamina cyathiformis of second tarsomere approximately as deep as long, with pointed apex; subdistal (third) tarsomere with acute dorsodistal process. Leg IV tarsus not swollen. Legs III and IV terminal tarsomere apex, dorsal margin sublinear, covering ungues. Leg I tarsus and legs II–IV terminal tarsomeres without ventrodistal papillae.

Copulatory apparatus: Fixed process, PL lobe long, greatly expanded and dorsoventrally compressed (figs. 29C, G). Distal lobular region, primary α lobe very long, narrow, and slightly dorsoventrally compressed (figs. 29A, C, E, G, I, 33C); origin submedial, curving toward ventral surface; prolateral margin sublinear, smooth; retrolateral margin sinuous, smooth, or slightly irregular subdistally. Primary β lobe medium sized, distinctly bicuspid, with β₁ and β₂ pointed. rsd lobe medium sized, pronounced, associated with distinct subdistal emargination. Secondary pd and rd lobes well developed, pointed. Movable process slender, slightly flexible, narrowing distally; apex simple, entire.

Female: Unknown.

Distribution: Ricinoides eburneus is known only from the type locality, Taï National Park, in the Montagnes and Bas-Sassandra districts of Côte d'Ivoire (fig. 5). It is one of three ricinuleid species recorded in the national park, the others being Ricinoides megahanseni Legg, 1982, and R. taii.

Cryptostemma feae Hansen, 1921: 26–31, pl. 2, figs. 3a–c, pl. 3, figs. 1a–i; 1930: unpaginated, pl.1, fig. 11, unpaginated, pl. 15, fig. 9b.

Ricinoides feae (Hansen, 1921): Kästner, 1932: 113, fig. 153; Bolívar y Pieltain, 1942: 201; Millot, 1945a: 72–74, figs. 1–3; 1945b: 1–29, figs. 1–34; 1949a: figs. 54a–c, 62, 79, 83, 90, 92; 1949b: 744–757, figs. 529–551; Zakhvatkin, 1952: 43, fig. 29b; Dubinin, 1962: 443, fig. 1287; Tuxen, 1974: 96–98, figs. 18–23; Dumitresco and Juvara-Balş, 1977a: 260, fig. 1; 1977b: 176, 177, figs. 12a, b, 13a–e; Selden and Dunlop, 1998: 305, fig. 7.1; Harvey, 2003: 183.

Type Material Examined: Cryptostemma feae: Lectotype ♂ (MSNG) [here designated], GUINEA-BISSAU: Rio Cassine [Tombali Region: Rio Cacine, 11°00′N 15°09′W], Guinea Portoghese, i–iv.1900, L. Fea. The vial containing the lectotype includes a microvial with the detached sinistral copulatory apparatus. Paralectotypes: 9 ♂, 13 ♀, 27 tritonymphs, 3 deutonymphs, 3 protonymphs (MSNG), same data as lectotype; 4 ♂, 6 ♀, 12 tritonymphs, 13 deutonymphs, 8 protonymphs (MSNG), Bolama [Bolama Region: 11°34′37″N 15°28′44″W], Guinea Portoghese, vi–xii.1899, L. Fea; 2 larvae (MSNG), Bolama, Guinea Portoghese, L. Fea; 2 ♂, 4 tritonymphs, 1 deutonymph, 1 protonymph (ZMUC), Rio Cacine, Guinea Portoghese, i–iv.1900, L. Fea; 1 tritonymph (ZMUC), Rio Cacine, Guinea Portoghese, i–iv.1900, L. Fea; 1 ♂ (ZMUC), Rio Cacine, Guinea Portoghese, i–iv.1900, L. Fea; 1 ♀ (ZMUC), Rio Cacine, Guinea Portoghese, i–iv.1900, L. Fea; 1 ♂ (MSNG), Rio Cacine, Guinea Portoghese, i-iv.1900, L. Fea.

Diagnosis: Ricinoides feae differs from the other eight species in the unique structure of the fixed process of the male copulatory apparatus (figs. 29B, D, F, H, J, 33D), which features several distinctive characters, including the laterally compressed α lobe, the wide separation of β₁ and β₂ of the β lobe, the pd lobe expressed as a moderately broad elevated surface, and the rd lobe comprising a cluster of small spines (table 2), none of which is shared with the other species. Additionally, R. feae is the only species in which the median sclerite of tergite XIII is noticeably longer than wide (figs. 14D, 15C), the sclerite being wider than long or as long as wide in the other species. Ricinoides feae differs further from all other species, except R. westermannii, in the relatively unmodified pedipalp tibia (fig. 20D), which is markedly robust in the other species, and in the width of the opening of the pygidium basal segment, which is approximately two fifths the lateral width of the segment at its base, but narrower laterally in the other species. The male of R. feae differs from the male of R. westermannii in several respects, including the presence of a large ventromedian apophysis on the tibia of leg II in R. feae (fig. 23F), which is absent in R. westermannii.

Redescription of Male: Based on the lectotype (MSNG).

Measurements: Total length 6.45 mm (table 4).

Coloration: Soma and appendages red (fig. 1). Carapace dorsolateral translucent areas yellowish. Opisthosomal tergal and pleural membranes yellow, hyaline. Cheliceral manus yellow; fingers, finger dentition, and manus toothlike process dark.

Setation: Surfaces densely covered with short, translucent, bristlelike setae, length similar to height of surrounding tuberose granules (figs. 6D, 14D). Polygonal setae absent.

Tegument surface macrosculpture: Tegument moderately irregular, without cuticular pits. Carapace, cucullus, lateral margins of opisthosomal tergites, legs (except for prolateral and retrolateral surfaces of leg II femur), and, to lesser extent, coxal region covered with coarse, rounded tuberose granules, evenly spaced apart, not clustered together (figs. 6D, 9D, 11D, 14D, 21D, 23B, D, F, H). Opisthosoma without distinct tubercles; entire dorsal surface and sternite XIII coarsely granular, some granules grouped together or touching others but not distinctly clustered (figs. 14D, 17D); remainder of opisthosomal ventral surface, leg II femur prolateral and retrolateral surfaces, and pleural membranes finely and densely granular; tergal membranes more sparsely granular. Pedipalp femur dorsal, prolateral, and retrolateral surfaces finely granular; tibia with elevated oval tubercles distally (fig. 20D), not noticeably enlarged or arranged in distinct rows.

Carapace: Carapace longer than wide, broadest between coxae of legs II and III; trapezoidal, lateral margins curved, narrowing anteriorly (fig. 6D); anterior margin linear in dorsal aspect; posterior margin slightly procurved; median longitudinal sulcus, paired posterior marginal transverse sulci, and paired anterolateral longitudinal sulci distinct; paired lateral depressions aligned with coxae of legs II; posteromedian moundlike excrescence absent; dorsolateral translucent areas entirely smooth, medium sized, aligned with intersection between coxae of legs I and II, visible in dorsolateral aspect.

Cucullus: Cucullus broadened laterally, wider than long; ventrolateral margins rounded (fig. 9D); ventral margin predominantly linear in anterior aspect, shallowly bilobate in ventral aspect, posterior surface with median row of small denticulations; anterior surface shallowly convex, without ventral compressed surface; pair of moderately developed sublateral longitudinal sulci; ventral part unmodified anteromedially.

Chelicerae: Manus dorsal surface with medium-sized toothlike process distally. Movable finger longer than fixed finger, tooth row comprising seven small teeth; sharp prodorsal longitudinal carina parallel to tooth row (opposite fixed finger); mucron with shallow but distinct prolateral excavation (opposite fixed finger) delimited by two parallel longitudinal carinae. Fixed finger tooth row comprising four small teeth, distal-most larger but not markedly so.

Coxosternal region: Tritosternum very small, barely visible, not abutting coxae of legs I (fig. 11D); coxae of legs II and IV abutting one another medially along entire length, coxae of legs III slightly separated medially; coxae of legs II, anterior and posterior margins subparallel, not perpendicular to median axis, slightly inclined anteriorly; coxae of legs II, posterior margin V-shaped medially; suture between coxae of legs II approximately 4× length of suture between coxae of legs III and IV.

Opisthosoma: Opisthosoma oblong, elongate. Posterodorsal and posteroventral margins without spiniform granules (figs. 14D, 17D) but with some tuberose granules. Tergites X–XIII each comprising median and lateral sclerites; median sclerites of tergites XI–XIII each with paired, shallow submedian depressions near anterior margins; lateral margins of median sclerites converging posteriorly on tergite XI and, to lesser extent, XII, subparallel on XIII; median sclerite of tergite XI and, to lesser extent, XII wider than long, of XIII longer than wide, rectangular; margins of lateral sclerites adjacent to tergal longitudinal membranes predominantly linear, tergal membranes relatively broad. Sternites XI–XIII each with pair of shallow submedian depressions similar to tergites (fig. 17D). Pygidium, basal segment parallel to longitudinal axis of opisthosoma; opening narrow, slightly compressed laterally, width two fifths lateral width of segment at its base; posterior border narrow; dorsal surface with V-shaped notch; ventral surface with subtle notch.

Pedipalps: Femur globose, length approximately 2× depth. Tibia longer than femur; predominantly linear (fig. 20D); not noticeably robust but slightly swollen proximally; margins subparallel in lateral aspect, narrowing distally in dorsal aspect; apical longitudinal carinae absent. Movable finger approximately 2× length of fixed finger.

Legs: Leg II longest, femur markedly incrassate (figs. 23B, D). Legs III and IV femora narrowest and similar in width, femora width (at midline) increasing in order leg IV ≈ III < I << II; dorsal surface with longitudinal sulcus most distinct on leg IV. Leg I tibia without ventral apophyses; metatarsus subcircular in cross section, with deep proventral depression in proximal half and without prominent ventral excrescence (fig. 21D). Leg II tibia with very large ventromedian apophysis proximally (fig. 23F), markedly hook shaped, with moderately acute apex, entirely covered with tuberose granules; tibia ventral surface with some moderately long setae but without distinct setal pad; metatarsus without ventrosubmedian concavity, with moderate subproximal depression and marked submedian excrescence ventrally (fig. 23H); first to third tarsomeres short, subequal, fourth approximately 2× length of preceding tarsomeres; all tarsomeres movable. Leg III metatarsus not swollen, with moderate concavity dorsodistally; proventral surface without apical brushlike row of setae; prodorsal proximal sulcus present; metatarsus, metatarsal process, and tarsus precisely fitting together to completely encase copulatory apparatus when tarsus retracted; metatarsal process situated basally near tibia, robust, tapering and slightly laterally compressed, longitudinal axis sinuous, apex pointing retrolaterally; lamina cyathiformis of second tarsomere approximately as deep as long, with pointed apex; subdistal (third) tarsomere with acute dorsodistal process. Leg IV tarsus not swollen. Legs III and IV terminal tarsomere apex, dorsal margin sublinear, covering ungues. Leg I tarsus and legs II–IV terminal tarsomeres without ventrodistal papillae.

Copulatory apparatus: Fixed process, PL lobe relatively narrow and dorsoventrally compressed (figs. 29D, H). Distal lobular region, primary α lobe long, narrow, laterally compressed (figs. 29B, D, F, H, J, 33D); origin slightly prolateral, curving toward ventral surface; dorsal margin smooth, ventral margin slightly irregular. Primary β lobe medium sized, distinctly bicuspid, with β₁ and β₂ pointed and widely separated. rsd lobe medium sized, pronounced, associated with distinct subdistal emargination. Secondary pd lobe comprising moderately broad, elevated surface; secondary rd lobe comprising cluster of approximately five small spines. Movable process slender, slightly flexible, narrowing distally; apex simple, entire.

Supplementary Description of Female: Based on paralectotypes stored with the lectotype (MSNG). Resembles male except as noted.

Measurements: Total length 6.24 mm (table 4).

Carapace: Carapace wider than long. Posteromedian moundlike excrescence absent (fig. 7C).

Cucullus: Ventrolateral margins rounded; ventral margin predominantly linear in anterior aspect.

Coxosternal region: Coxae of legs II and IV abutting one another medially along entire length, coxae of legs III abutting along anterior two thirds (fig. 12C); coxae of legs II, posterior margin V-shaped medially.

Opisthosoma: Opisthosoma oval, not as elongate as in male (figs. 15C, 18C). Tergites XI and XII, median sclerites wider than long; XIII, median sclerite longer than wide. Opening of basal segment of pygidium narrow, slightly compressed laterally.

Legs: Leg I metatarsus without proximal depression proventrally. Leg II femur unmodified, longer than but similar in shape to femora of other legs; tibia without ventromedian apophysis or long setae ventrally; metatarsus without subproximal depression or submedian excrescence ventrally.

Spermathecae: Anterior wall of bursa copulatrix with pair of medium-sized, slightly pigmented, rounded areas. Anterior surface with eight hard sacculiform structures sinistrally and six dextrally, variable in size (fig. 34C). Spermathecae follicular, each comprising soft, elongate tube terminating in tapering duct, situated submedially on anterior surface of bursa copulatrix adjacent to dorsal margin. Posterior genital lip as in figure 34C.

Distribution: The type series of R. feae originates from two localities in Guinea-Bissau (fig. 5), Rio Cacine (11°00′N 15°09′W), an estuarine area in the Tombali Region, and Bolama (11°34′37″N 15°28′44″W), a city on the island of the same name, that is part of the Bolama-Bijagós Archipelago in the Bolama Region. Recent records of R. feae from the vicinity of Bambadinca, in the Bafatá Region (Murienne et al., 2013; Fernández and Giribet, 2015) were misidentified (see Ricinoides sp.). A record of R. feae from Guinea (Harvey, 2003) requires confirmation.

Type Material: Holotype ♂, 2 ♀ paratypes (MRAC 217.183), GHANA: Central Region: Kakum Forest [Kakum National Park, 05°21′N 01°23′W], 8.xi.2005, L. Baert, R. Jocqué, and D. de Bakker, primary forest, pitfall. A microvial contains the following detached pieces of the holotype: sinistral leg III distal region with copulatory apparatus, and dextral copulatory apparatus.

Diagnosis: Ricinoides kakum most closely resembles R. atewa, with which it shares several characters of the male, including a group of slightly elevated granules anteromedially on the ventral part of the cucullus (fig. 10B) and moderately enlarged tubercles in the distal half of the ventral surface of the pedipalp tibia (fig. 20F). The fixed process of the male copulatory apparatus of R. kakum resembles that of R. atewa in the laterally expanded PL lobe (figs. 30D, H), a character also shared by R. eburneus, and the distinct subdistal serrations on the retrolateral margin of the α lobe (figs. 30D, H, J), which is unique to R. kakum and R. atewa (table 2). The lateral sclerites of tergite X are obsolete and the tergal membranes broad in R. kakum (figs. 14F, 15D), whereas the lateral sclerites of tergite X are well developed and the tergal membranes narrow, in R. atewa. Additionally, the moderately enlarged tubercles in the distal half of the ventral surface of the pedipalp tibia comprise a single retroventral row in the male of R. kakum, unlike the male of R. atewa, in which the tubercles comprise two (proventral and retroventral) rows.

Etymology: The specific epithet is a noun in apposition taken from the type locality, Kakum National Park, Ghana.

Description of Male: Based on the holotype (MRAC 217.183).

Measurements: Total length 8.11 mm (table 4).

Coloration: Soma and appendages predominantly dark reddish brown, almost black. Carapace dorsolateral translucent areas yellowish. Opisthosomal tergal and pleural membranes yellow, hyaline. Cheliceral manus yellow; fingers, finger dentition, and manus toothlike process dark.

Setation: Surfaces densely covered with short, translucent, bristlelike setae, slightly expanded but not navicular, length similar to height of surrounding tuberose granules (figs. 6F, 14F). Polygonal setae absent.

Tegument surface macrosculpture: Tegument very irregular, without cuticular pits. Carapace, cucullus, opisthosomal sclerites, legs, and, to lesser extent, coxal region covered with coarse, rounded tuberose granules, evenly spaced apart, not clustered together (figs. 6F, 9F, 11F, 14F, 21F, 24B, D, F, H). Opisthosoma, pleural membranes finely and densely granular; tergal membranes more sparsely granular. Pedipalp femur dorsal, prolateral, and retrolateral surfaces finely granular; tibia with elevated oval tubercles distally (fig. 20F), some moderately enlarged and arranged into retroventral row.

Carapace: Carapace wider than long, broadest between coxae of legs II and III; trapezoidal, lateral margins curved, narrowing anteriorly (fig. 6F); anterior margin linear in dorsal aspect; posterior margin slightly procurved; median longitudinal sulcus, paired posterior marginal transverse sulci, and paired anterolateral longitudinal sulci distinct; paired lateral depressions aligned with coxae of legs II; posteromedian moundlike excrescence absent; dorsolateral translucent areas entirely smooth, medium sized, aligned with intersection between coxae of legs I and II, visible in dorsolateral aspect.

Cucullus: Cucullus broadened laterally, wider than long; ventrolateral margins rounded (fig. 9F); ventral margin predominantly linear in anterior aspect, shallowly bilobate in ventral aspect, posterior surface, median row of denticulations worn; anterior surface shallowly convex, without ventral compressed surface; pair of moderately developed sublateral longitudinal sulci; ventral part with anteromedian group of slightly elevated granules, without anteromedian knoblike tubercle or elevation.

Chelicerae: Manus dorsal surface with large toothlike process distally. Movable finger longer than fixed finger, tooth row comprising six small teeth (markedly worn); sharp prodorsal longitudinal carina parallel to tooth row (opposite fixed finger); mucron with shallow but distinct prolateral excavation (opposite fixed finger) delimited by two parallel longitudinal carinae. Fixed finger tooth row comprising three or four small teeth.

Coxosternal region: Tritosternum very small, barely visible, not abutting coxae of legs I (fig. 11F); coxae of legs II–IV abutting one another medially along entire length; coxae of legs II, anterior and posterior margins almost parallel, slightly narrowing medially, not perpendicular to median axis, inclined anteriorly; coxae of legs II, posterior margin U-shaped medially; suture between coxae of legs II approximately 2× length of suture between coxae of legs III and 1.5× length of suture between coxae of legs IV.

Opisthosoma: Opisthosoma oval, longer than wide, broadest at tergite XII. Posterodorsal and posteroventral margins without spiniform granules (figs. 14F, 17F). Tergites XI–XIII each comprising median and lateral sclerites; tergite X with median sclerite, lateral sclerites obsolete, reduced to tiny sclerotized spots; median sclerites of tergites XI–XIII each with paired, shallow submedian depressions near anterior margins; lateral margins of median sclerites converging posteriorly on tergite XI and, to lesser extent, XII, slightly converging anteriorly on XIII; median sclerites of tergites XI–XIII wider than long, rectangular; margins of lateral sclerites adjacent to tergal longitudinal membranes rounded, tergal membranes broad. Sternites XI–XIII each with pair of shallow submedian depressions similar to tergites (fig. 17F). Pygidium, basal segment parallel to longitudinal axis of opisthosoma; opening very narrow, compressed laterally, width approximately one third lateral width of segment at its base (fig. 4F); posterior border narrow; dorsal surface with V-shaped notch; ventral surface entire.

Pedipalps: Femur globose, length approximately 2× depth. Tibia longer than femur; almost entirely linear (fig. 20F); robust along entire length, margins parallel in dorsal and lateral aspects; apical longitudinal carinae absent. Movable finger approximately 2× length of fixed finger.

Legs: Leg II longest, femur markedly incrassate (figs. 24B, D). Femora width (at midline) increasing in order leg IV < III < I << II; dorsal surface with longitudinal sulcus most distinct on leg IV. Leg I tibia without ventral apophyses; metatarsus subcircular in cross-section, with deep proventral depression in proximal half and without prominent ventral excrescence (figs. 4B, 21F). Leg II tibia with large ventromedian apophysis proximally (fig. 24F), not markedly hook shaped, with pointed apex, entirely covered with tuberose granules; tibia and metatarsus without pad of long translucent setae ventrally; metatarsus with shallow subproximal depression but without ventrosubmedian concavity or excrescence (fig. 24H); first to third tarsomeres short, subequal, fourth approximately 2× length of preceding tarsomeres; all tarsomeres movable. Leg III metatarsus not swollen, with moderate concavity dorsodistally; proventral surface without apical brushlike row of setae; prodorsal proximal sulcus present; metatarsus, metatarsal process, and tarsus precisely fitting together to completely encase copulatory apparatus when tarsus retracted; metatarsal process situated basally near tibia, robust, tapering and slightly laterally compressed, longitudinal axis sinuous, apex pointing retrolaterally; lamina cyathiformis of second tarsomere slightly deeper than long, with pointed apex; subdistal (third) tarsomere with acute dorsodistal process. Leg IV tarsus not swollen. Legs III and IV terminal tarsomere apex, dorsal margin sublinear, covering ungues. Leg I tarsus and legs II–IV terminal tarsomeres without ventrodistal papillae.

Copulatory apparatus: Fixed process, PL lobe greatly expanded and dorsoventrally compressed (figs. 30D, H). Distal lobular region, primary α lobe very long, narrow, dorsoventrally compressed distally and, to lesser extent, proximally (figs. 30B, D, F, H, J, 33F); origin submedial, curving toward ventral surface; prolateral margin smooth, retrolateral margin with distinct subdistal serrations. Primary β lobe medium sized, distinctly bicuspid, with β₁ and β₂ pointed. rsd lobe medium sized, pronounced, associated with distinct subdistal emargination. Secondary pd and rd lobes well developed, pointed. Movable process slender, slightly flexible, narrowing distally; apex simple, entire.

Supplementary Description of Female: Based on paratypes (MRAC 217.183). Resembles male except as noted.

Measurements: Total length 8.00 mm (table 4).

Tegument surface macrosculpture: Pedipalp tibia with oval tubercles on ventral surface smaller than in male.

Carapace: Posteromedian moundlike excrescence absent (fig. 7D).

Cucullus: Ventral part without group of elevated granules anteromedially; ventrolateral margins rounded; ventral margin predominantly linear in anterior aspect.

Coxosternal region: Coxae of legs II–IV abutting one another medially along entire length (fig. 12D); coxae of legs II, posterior margin U-shaped medially.

Opisthosoma: Opisthosoma oval (figs. 15D, 18D). Tergites XI–XIII, median sclerites wider than long; XIII, lateral margins of median sclerite converging slightly anteriorly. Opening of basal segment of pygidium very narrow, compressed laterally.

Legs: Leg I metatarsus without proximal depression proventrally. Leg II femur unmodified, longer than but similar in shape to femora of other legs; tibia without ventromedian apophysis; metatarsus without subproximal depression ventrally.

Spermathecae: Anterior wall of bursa copulatrix with pair of medium-sized, slightly pigmented, rounded areas. Anterior surface with eight hard sacculiform structures sinistrally and five dextrally, variable in size, some markedly elongate (fig. 34D). Spermathecae follicular, each comprising soft, elongate tube terminating in tapering duct, situated submedially on anterior surface of bursa copulatrix adjacent to dorsal margin. Posterior genital lip as in figure 34D.

Distribution: This species is known only from the type locality, Kakum National Park, in the Central Region of Ghana (fig. 5).

Additional Material Examined: GHANA: Central Region: Kakum Forest [Kakum National Park, 05°21′N 01°23′W], Kuntan trail, 159 m, 14–25.xi.2005, R. Jocqué, D. de Bakker, and L. Baert, secondary forest, pitfall, 1 ♀ (MRAC 217.210).

Ricinoides afzelii (Thorell, 1892): Tuxen, 1974: 91–96 (misidentification, material from Nzérékoré), 90, 92, 93, 95, figs. 2–4, 6–7, 9–17; Harvey, 2003: 183 (part); Naskrecki, 2008: 58, 62, figs. 14–19 (misidentification).

Type Material: Holotype ♂ (MRAC 209.266), GUINEA: Nzérékoré Region: Forêt Classée de Ziama [Ziama Forest Reserve, 07°42′N 08°25′W], 31.iii.1999, D. Flomo, rainforest, pitfall. The vial containing the holotype includes a microvial with the detached sinistral leg III and copulatory apparatus. Paratypes: tritonymph (MRAC 209.265), same data as holotype; 1 ♂ (MRAC 209.280), same data, except: 13.iv.1999; 1 ♀ (MRAC 209.264), 22.v.1999; 1 ♂(MRAC 209.293), 1 ♂, 1 ♀ (MRAC 209.273), 4 ♀ (MRAC 209.274, 278, 279, 283), 4.vi.1999; 1 ♂ (MRAC 209.263), 17.vi.1999; 1 ♂ (MRAC 209.270), tritonymph (MRAC 209.288), 30. vi.1999; 1 ♀ (MRAC 209.267), 13.vii.1999; 1 ♂(MRAC 209.275), 2 ♀ (MRAC 209.262, 291), 26.vii.1999; 1 ♀ (MRAC 209.277), 4.ix.1999; 1 ♂(MRAC 209.289), 2 ♀ (MRAC 209.281, 285), 16.ix.1999; 1 ♂ (MRAC 209.272), 29.ix.1999; 1 ♂ (MRAC 209.286), 1 ♀ (MRAC 209.518), 18.xi.1999; 1 ♂ (MRAC 209.506), 1 ♂, 1 ♀(MRAC 209.507), 3 ♀ (MRAC 209.510, 511, 513), tritonymph (MRAC 209.276), 1.xii.1999; 1 ♂ (MRAC 209.509), 1 ♀ (MRAC 209.508), 14. xii.1999; 1 ♂ (MRAC 209.514), 9.i.2000; 1 ♀(MRAC 209.505), 22.i.2000; 1 ♂ (MRAC 209.516), 4.ii.2000; tritonymph (MRAC 209.515), 17.ii.2000; 1 ♀ (MRAC 210.140), 18.iii.2000.

Diagnosis: Ricinoides nzerekorensis most closely resembles R. taii, with which it shares several unique characters of the fixed process of the male copulatory apparatus (table 2), including a thumb-shaped α lobe, with the prolateral margin sinuous and basally expanded, and the pd and rd lobes weakly developed (figs. 31A, C, E, G, I, 33G). The male of R. nzerekorensis may be recognized from that of R. taii by the structure of leg II, specifically the moderately to very large ventromedian apophysis on the tibia (fig. 25E), the presence of a pad of bristlelike setae on the ventral surfaces of the tibia and metatarsus, and the markedly incrassate femur (figs. 25A, C, table 5); and the copulatory apparatus, specifically the presence of a spiniform projection on the prolateral border of the subdistal emargination (fig. 33G), and the small pd and rd lobes.

Etymology: The specific epithet is a latinized gentilicium referring to the occurrence of this species in the Nzérékoré Region of Guinea.

Description of Male: Based on the holotype (MRAC 209.266).

Measurements: Total length 8.27 mm (table 5).

Coloration: Soma and appendages predominantly dark red. Carapace dorsolateral translucent areas yellowish. Opisthosomal tergal and pleural membranes yellow, hyaline. Cheliceral manus yellow; fingers, finger dentition, and manus toothlike process dark.

Setation: Surfaces densely covered with short, translucent, bristlelike setae, slightly expanded but not navicular, approximately as long as height of the surrounding tuberose granules (figs. 8A, 16A). Polygonal setae absent.

Tegument surface macrosculpture: Tegument very irregular, without cuticular pits. Carapace, cucullus, opisthosomal sclerites, legs, and, to lesser extent, coxal region covered with coarse, rounded tuberose granules, evenly spaced apart, not clustered together (figs. 8A, 9G, 13A, 16A, 21G, 25A, C, E, G). Opisthosoma, pleural membranes finely and densely granular; tergal membranes more sparsely granular. Pedipalp femur retrolateral surface and, to lesser extent, dorsal surface, finely granular, prolateral surface almost completely smooth; tibia with elevated oval tubercles distally (fig. 20G), not noticeably enlarged or arranged in distinct rows.

Carapace: Carapace wider than long, broadest between coxae of legs II and III; trapezoidal, lateral margins curved, narrowing anteriorly (fig. 8A); anterior margin linear in dorsal aspect; posterior margin slightly procurved; median longitudinal sulcus, paired posterior marginal transverse sulci, and paired anterolateral longitudinal sulci distinct; paired lateral depressions aligned with coxae of legs II; posteromedian moundlike excrescence absent; dorsolateral translucent areas entirely smooth, medium sized, aligned with intersection between coxae of legs I and II, visible in dorsolateral aspect.

Cucullus: Cucullus broadened laterally, wider than long; ventrolateral margins rounded (fig. 9G); ventral margin predominantly linear in anterior aspect, shallowly bilobate in ventral aspect, posterior surface with median row of small denticulations; anterior surface shallowly convex, without ventral compressed surface; pair of moderately developed sublateral longitudinal sulci; ventral part unmodified anteromedially.

Chelicerae: Manus dorsal surface with large toothlike process distally. Movable finger longer than fixed finger, tooth row comprising six small teeth; sharp prodorsal longitudinal carina parallel to tooth row (opposite fixed finger); mucron with shallow but distinct prolateral excavation (opposite fixed finger) delimited by two parallel longitudinal carinae. Fixed finger tooth row comprising five small teeth.

Coxosternal region: Tritosternum very small, barely visible, not abutting coxae of legs I (fig. 13A); coxae of legs II and IV abutting one another medially along entire length, coxae of legs III abutting along anterior two thirds; coxae of legs II, anterior and posterior margins almost parallel, slightly narrowing medially, not perpendicular to median axis, inclined anteriorly; coxae of legs II, posterior margin approximately V-shaped medially; suture between coxae of legs II approximately 2× length of suture between coxae of legs IV and 3× length of suture between coxae of legs III.

Opisthosoma: Opisthosoma oval, longer than wide, broadest at tergite XII. Posterodorsal and posteroventral margins without spiniform granules (figs. 16A, 19A). Tergites X–XIII each comprising median and lateral sclerites; median sclerites of tergites XI–XIII each with paired, shallow submedian depressions near anterior margins; lateral margins of median sclerites converging posteriorly on tergite XI and, to lesser extent, XII, subparallel on XIII; median sclerites of tergites XI and XII wider than long, of XIII approximately as wide as long, square; margins of lateral sclerites adjacent to tergal longitudinal membranes predominantly linear, tergal membranes narrow. Sternites XI–XIII each with pair of shallow submedian depressions similar to tergites (fig. 19A). Pygidium, basal segment parallel to longitudinal axis of opisthosoma; opening very narrow, compressed laterally, width approximately one third lateral width of segment at its base; posterior border narrow; dorsal surface with V-shaped notch; ventral surface entire.

Pedipalps: Femur globose, length approximately 2× depth. Tibia longer than femur; almost entirely linear (fig. 20G); robust along entire length, margins parallel in dorsal aspect and, to lesser extent, lateral aspect; apical longitudinal carinae absent. Movable finger approximately 2× length of fixed finger.

Legs: Leg II longest, femur markedly incrassate (figs. 25A, C). Legs III and IV femora narrowest and similar in width, femora increasing in width (at midline) in order leg IV = III < I << II; dorsal surface with longitudinal sulcus most distinct on leg IV. Leg I tibia without ventral apophyses; metatarsus subcircular in cross section, with deep proventral depression in proximal half and without prominent ventral excrescence (fig. 21G). Leg II tibia with very large ventromedian apophysis proximally (fig. 25E), markedly hook shaped, with acute apex, entirely covered with tuberose granules; tibia and metatarsus with distinct pad of moderately long, translucent bristlelike setae (less than half depth of metatarsus) ventrally (figs. 25E, G); metatarsus without ventrosubmedian concavity, with moderate subproximal depression and marked submedian excrescence ventrally (fig. 25G); first to third tarsomeres short, subequal, fourth approximately 2× length of preceding tarsomeres; all tarsomeres movable. Leg III metatarsus not swollen, with moderate concavity dorsodistally; proventral surface without apical brushlike row of setae; prodorsal proximal sulcus present; metatarsus, metatarsal process, and tarsus precisely fitting together to completely encase copulatory apparatus when tarsus retracted; metatarsal process situated basally near tibia, robust, tapering and slightly laterally compressed, longitudinal axis sinuous, apex pointing retrolaterally; lamina cyathiformis of second tarsomere approximately as deep as long, with slightly pointed apex; subdistal (third) tarsomere with acute dorsodistal process (fig. 4D). Leg IV tarsus not swollen. Legs III and IV terminal tarsomere apex, dorsal margin sublinear, covering ungues. Leg I tarsus and legs II–IV terminal tarsomeres without ventrodistal papillae.

Copulatory apparatus: Fixed process, PL lobe moderately expanded and dorsoventrally compressed (figs. 31C, G). Distal lobular region, primary α lobe long, thumb shaped, dorsoventrally compressed (figs. 31A, C, E, G, I, 33G); origin submedial, curving toward ventral surface; prolateral margin basally expanded, sinuous, smooth; retrolateral margin slightly irregular. Primary β lobe medium sized, distinctly bicuspid, with β₁ and β₂ pointed. rsd lobe medium sized, pronounced, associated with distinct subdistal emargination; prolateral border of subdistal emargination with distinct spiniform projection. Secondary pd and rd lobes small. Movable process slender, slightly flexible, narrowing distally; apex simple, entire.

Supplementary Description of Female: Based on the paratype (MRAC 209.267). Resembles male except as noted.

Measurements: Total length 8.16 mm (table 5).

Tegument surface macrosculpture: Pedipalp femur dorsal, prolateral, and retrolateral surfaces finely granular.

Carapace: Posteromedian moundlike excrescence absent (fig. 7E).

Cucullus: Ventrolateral margins rounded; ventral margin predominantly linear in anterior aspect.

Coxosternal region: Coxae of legs II–IV abutting one another medially along entire length (fig. 12E); coxae of legs II, posterior margin approximately V-shaped medially.

Opisthosoma: Opisthosoma oval (figs. 4E, 15E, 18E). Tergites XI and XII, median sclerites wider than long; XIII, median sclerite slightly longer than wide. Opening of basal segment of pygidium very narrow, compressed laterally.

Pedipalps: Tibia entirely linear.

Legs: Leg I metatarsus without proximal depression proventrally. Leg II femur unmodified, longer than but similar in shape to femora of other legs; tibia without ventromedian apophysis; tibia and metatarsus without ventral pad of translucent setae; metatarsus without subproximal depression or submedian excrescence ventrally.

Spermathecae: Anterior wall of bursa copulatrix with pair of medium-sized, slightly pigmented, rounded areas. Anterior surface with six hard sacculiform structures sinistrally and seven dextrally, variable in size, some markedly elongate (fig. 34E). Spermathecae follicular, double sinistrally, each comprising soft, elongate tube terminating in tapering duct, situated submedially on anterior surface of bursa copulatrix adjacent to dorsal margin. Posterior genital lip as in fig. 34E.

Distribution: This species has been recorded from several localities in the southern part of the Nzérékoré Region of Guinea (fig. 5).

Remarks: Naskrecki (2008) reported a male and female of R. afzelii from two localities in Guinea, Forêt Classée Diecke and Mt. Bero, situated geographically near the type locality of R. nzerekorensis. The copulatory apparatus of the male from Forêt Classée Diecke, illustrated in Naskrecki's (2008: 62) figs. 14–18, is inconsistent with the male copulatory apparatus of R. afzelii, but closely resembles that of R. nzerekorensis, to which this specimen is referred. The female from Mt. Bero is also referred to R. nzerekorensis based on Naskrecki's (2008) determination that it was conspecific with the male.

Additional Material Examined: GUINEA: Nzérékoré Region: Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve [07°38′N 08°25′W]: Bangala Forest, 609 m, 7.iii.2012, A. Henrard, C. Allard, P. Bimou and M. Sidibé, soil litter, sieving, 1 tritonymph (MRAC 238.829); Fouenyi Forest, 573 m, 1.iii.2012, A. Henrard, C. Allard, P. Bimou and M. Sidibé, soil litter, sieving, 2 ♂, 1 deutonymph (MRAC 239.116); Gbié, Miau River, 469 m, 15.iii.2012, A. Henrard, C. Allard, P. Bimou and M. Sidibé, near clearance zone, near river, litter, sieving, 1 deutonymph (MRAC 238.761), same data, except: 16.iii.2012, 1 tritonymph (MRAC 238.765); Gouan Forest (mid-one), 2–11.x.2011, D. van den Spiegel and A. Henrard, soil litter near cliffs, pitfall, 1 ♀ (MRAC 238.168); Heyétouna Forest, 687 m, 18.iii.2012, A. Henrard, C. Allard, P. Bimou and M. Sidibé, soil litter, sieving, 1 tritonymph (MRAC 238.767); Yeï Forest, 601 m, 5.iii.2012, A. Henrard, C. Allard, P. Bimou and M. Sidibé, soil litter, sieving, 1 deutonymph (MRAC 238.763). Nzérékoré [07°45′N 08°49′W], 10–25.iv.1957, S. v. H. Olsen, on forest floor, 1 ♂ (ZMUC), same data, except 15.v.1961 (or 15.iv.1961), 1 ♀ (ZMUC).

Type Material: Holotype ♂ (MRAC 233.458), paratype ♀ (MRAC 233.482), CÔTE D'IVOIRE: Montagnes and Bas-Sassandra Districts: Forêt de Taï [Taï National Park, 05°41′N 06°56′W], D. van den Spiegel and A. Kablan, pitfall. The membranous tissues of the specimens are weakened and some body parts broken. The vial containing the holotype includes the following detached pieces: both legs IV, opisthosoma, sinistral pedipalp, distal part of sinistral leg III, and copulatory apparatus. The dextral copulatory apparatus is missing. The female is in similar condition, with all the pieces contained in the same vial.

Diagnosis: Ricinoides taii most closely resembles R. nzerekorensis, with which it shares several unique characters of the fixed process of the male copulatory apparatus (table 2), including a thumb-shaped α lobe, with the prolateral margin sinuous and basally expanded, and the pd and rd lobes weakly developed (figs. 31B, D, F, H, J, 33H). The male of R. taii may be recognized from that of R. nzerekorensis by the structure of leg II, specifically the small ventromedian apophysis on the tibia (fig. 25F), the absence of a pad of bristlelike setae on the ventral surfaces of the tibia and metatarsus, and the less incrassate femur (figs. 25B, D, table 5); and the copulatory apparatus, specifically the absence of a distinct spiniform projection on the prolateral border of the subdistal emargination (fig. 33H), and the vestigial pd and rd lobes, represented by slightly elevated ridges.

Etymology: The specific epithet is a noun in apposition taken from the type locality, Taï National Park, Côte d'Ivoire.

Description of Male: Based on the holotype (MRAC 233.458).

Measurements: Total length 7.51 mm (table 5).

Coloration: Soma and appendages predominantly dark brown, almost black. Carapace dorsolateral translucent areas yellowish. Opisthosomal tergal and pleural membranes yellow, hyaline. Cheliceral manus yellow; fingers, finger dentition, and manus toothlike process dark.

Setation: Surfaces densely covered with short, translucent, bristlelike setae, slightly expanded but not navicular, length similar to height of surrounding tuberose granules (figs. 8B, 16B). Polygonal setae absent.

Tegument surface macrosculpture: Tegument very irregular, without cuticular pits. Carapace, cucullus, opisthosomal sclerites, legs, and, to lesser extent, coxal region covered with coarse, rounded tuberose granules, evenly spaced apart, not clustered together (figs. 8B, 9H, 13B, 16B, 21H, 25B, D, F, H). Opisthosoma, pleural membranes finely and densely granular; tergal membranes more sparsely granular. Pedipalp femur dorsal, prolateral, and retrolateral surfaces finely granular; tibia with elevated oval tubercles distally (fig. 20H), not noticeably enlarged or arranged in distinct rows.

Carapace: Carapace wider than long, broadest between coxae of legs II and III; trapezoidal, lateral margins curved, narrowing anteriorly (fig. 8B); anterior margin linear in dorsal aspect; posterior margin slightly procurved; median longitudinal sulcus, paired posterior marginal transverse sulci, and paired anterolateral longitudinal sulci distinct; paired lateral depressions aligned with coxae of legs II; posteromedian moundlike excrescence absent; dorsolateral translucent areas entirely smooth, medium sized, aligned with intersection between coxae of legs I and II, visible in dorsolateral aspect.

Cucullus: Cucullus broadened laterally, wider than long; ventrolateral margins rounded (fig. 9H); ventral margin predominantly linear in anterior aspect, shallowly bilobate in ventral aspect, posterior surface with median row of small denticulations; anterior surface shallowly convex, without ventral compressed surface; pair of moderately developed sublateral longitudinal sulci; ventral part unmodified anteromedially.

Chelicerae: Manus dorsal surface with large toothlike process distally. Movable finger longer than fixed finger, tooth row comprising seven small teeth; sharp prodorsal longitudinal carina parallel to tooth row (opposite fixed finger); mucron with shallow but distinct prolateral excavation (opposite fixed finger) delimited by two parallel longitudinal carinae. Fixed finger tooth row comprising five small teeth.

Coxosternal region: Tritosternum very small, barely visible, not abutting coxae of legs I (fig. 13B); coxae of legs II–IV abutting one another medially along entire length; coxae of legs II, anterior and posterior margins subparallel, not perpendicular to median axis, inclined anteriorly; coxae of legs II, posterior margin V-shaped medially; suture between coxae of legs II approximately 2× length of suture between coxae of legs IV and 3× length of suture between coxae of legs III.

Opisthosoma: Opisthosoma oval, longer than wide, broadest at tergite XII. Posterodorsal and posteroventral margins without spiniform granules (figs. 16B, 19B). Tergites X–XIII each comprising median and lateral sclerites; median sclerites of tergites XI–XIII each with paired, shallow submedian depressions near anterior margins; lateral margins of median sclerites converging posteriorly on tergite XI and, to lesser extent, XII, subparallel on XIII; median sclerites of tergites XI and XII wider than long, of XIII approximately as wide as long, square; margins of lateral sclerites adjacent to tergal longitudinal membranes predominantly linear, tergal membranes narrow. Sternites XI–XIII each with pair of shallow submedian depressions similar to tergites (fig. 19B). Pygidium, basal segment parallel to longitudinal axis of opisthosoma; opening very narrow, compressed laterally, width approximately one third lateral width of segment at its base; posterior border narrow; dorsal surface with V-shaped notch; ventral surface entire.

Pedipalps: Femur globose, length slightly more than 2× depth. Tibia longer than femur; almost entirely linear (fig. 20H); robust along entire length, margins parallel in dorsal aspect and, to lesser extent, lateral aspect; apical longitudinal carinae absent. Movable finger approximately 2× length of fixed finger.

Legs: Leg II longest, femur moderately incrassate (figs. 25B, D). Femora width (at midline) increasing in order leg IV < III = I < II; dorsal surface with longitudinal sulcus distinct on all legs. Leg I tibia without ventral apophyses; metatarsus subcircular in cross-section, with moderate proventral depression in proximal half and without prominent ventral excrescence (fig. 21H). Leg II tibia with small ventromedian apophysis proximally (fig. 25F), forming slight protrusion covered with tuberose granules; tibia and metatarsus without pad of long translucent setae ventrally; metatarsus without ventrosubmedian concavity, with very shallow subproximal depression and obsolete submedian excrescence ventrally (fig. 25H); first to third tarsomeres short, subequal, fourth approximately 2× length of preceding tarsomeres; all tarsomeres movable. Leg III metatarsus not swollen, with moderate concavity dorsodistally; proventral surface without apical brushlike row of setae; prodorsal proximal sulcus present; metatarsus, metatarsal process, and tarsus precisely fitting together to completely encase copulatory apparatus when tarsus retracted; metatarsal process situated basally near tibia, robust, tapering and slightly laterally compressed, longitudinal axis sinuous, apex pointing retrolaterally; lamina cyathiformis of second tarsomere approximately as deep as long, with pointed apex; subdistal (third) tarsomere with acute dorsodistal process. Leg IV tarsus not swollen. Legs III and IV terminal tarsomere apex, dorsal margin sublinear, covering ungues. Leg I tarsus and legs II–IV terminal tarsomeres without ventrodistal papillae.

Copulatory apparatus: Fixed process, PL lobe moderately expanded and dorsoventrally compressed (figs. 31D, H). Distal lobular region, primary α lobe long, thumb shaped, dorsoventrally compressed (figs. 31B, D, F, H, J, 33H); origin submedial, curving toward ventral surface; prolateral margin basally expanded, sinuous; prolateral and retrolateral margins slightly irregular. Primary β lobe medium sized, distinctly bicuspid, with β₁ and β₂ pointed. rsd lobe medium sized, pronounced, associated with distinct subdistal emargination. Secondary pd and rd lobes vestigial, represented by slightly elevated ridges. Movable process slender, slightly flexible, narrowing distally; apex simple, entire.

Supplementary Description of Female: Based on the paratype (MRAC 233.482). Resembles male except as noted.

Measurements: Total length 8.60 mm (table 5).

Carapace: Posteromedian moundlike excrescence absent (fig. 7F).

Cucullus: Ventrolateral margins rounded; ventral margin predominantly linear in anterior aspect.

Coxosternal region: Coxae of legs II–IV abutting one another medially along entire length (fig. 12F); coxae of legs II, posterior margin V-shaped medially.

Opisthosoma: Opisthosoma oval (figs. 15F, 18F). Tergites XI and XII, median sclerites wider than long; XIII, median sclerite approximately as wide as long. Opening of basal segment of pygidium very narrow, compressed laterally.

Pedipalps: Tibia entirely linear.

Legs: Leg I metatarsus without proximal depression proventrally. Leg II femur unmodified, longer than but similar in shape to femora of other legs; tibia without ventromedian apophysis; metatarsus without subproximal depression or submedian excrescence ventrally.

Spermathecae: Anterior wall of bursa copulatrix with pair of medium-sized, slightly pigmented, rounded areas. Anterior surface with 12 hard sacculiform structures sinistrally and 11 dextrally, variable in size (fig. 34F). Spermathecae follicular, each comprising soft, elongate tube terminating in tapering duct, situated submedially on anterior surface of bursa copulatrix, well separated from dorsal margin. Posterior genital lip as in figure 34F.

Distribution: Ricinoides taii is known only from the type locality, Taï National Park, in the Montagnes and Bas-Sassandra districts of Côte d'Ivoire (fig. 5). It is one of three ricinuleid species recorded from the national park, the others being R. eburneus and R. megahanseni.

Cryptostemma westermannii Guérin-Méneville, 1838: 11, 12; Lucas, 1838: 353, 354, pl. 539, figs. 7, 7a; Gervais, 1844: 131, pl. 47, fig. 4; Fritsch, 1904: 32, fig. 36; Hansen and Sørensen, 1904: 149, 150, pl. 7, figs. 3a, b, pl. 8, figs. 1a–f; Moritz and Fischer, 1980: 139.

Cryptostemma westermanni: Börner, 1902: 442, fig. 8; Hansen, 1930: unpaginated, pl. 15, fig. 9a.

Cryptostemma plebejum Hansen and Sørensen, 1904: 148, pl. 8, figs. 2a–f; Moritz and Fischer, 1980: 139 (synonymized by Legg, 1978b: 124).

Ricinoides westermannii (Guérin-Méneville, 1838): Harvey, 2003: 184 (part, material from Togo only).

Ricinoides westermanni: Ewing, 1929: 597; Kästner, 1932: 107, fig. 144; Bolívar y Pieltain, 1942: 201; Savory, 1964: 197, fig. 100; Tuxen, 1974: 102, 103, figs. 1d, 34–38; Savory, 1977: 215, fig. 87; Legg, 1978b: 124 (part, material from Togo only); 1982: 288–290, figs. 1a–c (misidentification); Harvey, 1984: 205–207, figs. 1–9 (misidentification).

Ricinoides plebejum (Hansen and Sørensen, 1904): Ewing, 1929: 597; Bolívar y Pieltain, 1942: 201; Tuxen, 1974: 105.

Type Material Examined: Cryptostemma westermannii: Neotype ♂ (ZMB 7013), TOGO: Bismarckbourg [Centrale Region: 08°10′39″N 00°41′15″E], 16.vii.1893, Büttner. Two microvials contain the following detached pieces: cucullus, both chelicerae and pedipalps, some segments and tarsomeres of legs II and III, and sinistral copulatory apparatus. The following body regions are missing: second to fifth tarsomeres of both legs IV, dextral leg III metatarsus, tarsus, and copulatory apparatus. Cryptostemma plebejum: Holotype tritonymph (ZMB 7834), TOGO: Misahöhe [Plateaux Region: Misahohé/Missahohé, 06°57′N 00°35′E], 24.vi.1894, E. Baumann.

Diagnosis: Ricinoides westermannii differs from the other eight species in being the only species in which a ventromedian apophysis is absent on the tibia of leg II in the male (fig. 26C) and β₁ is noticeably larger than β₂ in the β lobe of the fixed process of the male copulatory apparatus (figs. 32, 33I). The male of R. westermannii differs further from the males of all other species, except R. feae, in the relatively unmodified pedipalp tibia (fig. 20I), which is markedly robust in the other species, and in the width of the opening of the pygidium basal segment, which is approximately two fifths the lateral width of the segment at its base, but narrower laterally in the other species. The male of R. westermannii differs from that of R. feae in several respects, including the structure of the copulatory apparatus (table 2).

Redescription of Male: Based on the neotype (ZMB 7013).

Measurements: Total length 7.89 mm (table 5).

Coloration: Color faded; soma and appendages uniform pale chestnut coloration. Cheliceral manus yellow; fingers, finger dentition, and manus toothlike process dark.

Setation: Surfaces densely covered with short, translucent, bristlelike setae, slightly expanded but not navicular, length similar to height of surrounding tuberose granules (figs. 8C, 16C). Polygonal setae absent.

Tegument surface macrosculpture: Tegument very irregular, without cuticular pits. Carapace, cucullus, opisthosomal sclerites, legs, and, to lesser extent, coxal region covered with coarse, rounded tuberose granules, evenly spaced apart, not clustered together (figs. 8C, 10A, 13C, 16C, 21I, 26). Opisthosoma, pleural membranes finely and densely granular; tergal membranes more sparsely granular. Pedipalp femur dorsal, prolateral, and retrolateral surfaces finely granular; tibia with elevated oval tubercles distally (fig. 20I).

Carapace: Carapace wider than long, broadest between coxae of legs II and III; trapezoidal, lateral margins curved, narrowing anteriorly (fig. 8C); anterior margin linear in dorsal aspect; posterior margin slightly procurved; median longitudinal sulcus, paired posterior marginal transverse sulci, and paired anterolateral longitudinal sulci distinct; paired lateral depressions aligned with coxae of legs II; posteromedian moundlike excrescence absent; dorsolateral translucent areas entirely smooth, medium sized, aligned with intersection between coxae of legs I and II, visible in dorsolateral aspect.

Cucullus: Cucullus broadened laterally, wider than long; ventrolateral margins rounded (fig. 10A); ventral margin predominantly linear in anterior aspect, shallowly bilobate in ventral aspect, posterior surface with median row of small denticulations; anterior surface shallowly convex, without ventral compressed surface; pair of moderately developed sublateral longitudinal sulci; ventral part unmodified anteromedially.

Chelicerae: Manus dorsal surface with large toothlike process distally. Movable finger longer than fixed finger, tooth row comprising seven small teeth (two basalmost teeth extremely small in both chelicerae); sharp prodorsal longitudinal carina parallel to tooth row (opposite fixed finger); mucron with shallow but distinct prolateral excavation (opposite fixed finger) delimited by two parallel longitudinal carinae. Fixed finger tooth row comprising four or five small teeth.

Coxosternal region: Tritosternum very small, barely visible, not abutting coxae of legs I (fig. 13C); coxae of legs II–IV abutting one another medially along entire length; coxae of legs II, anterior and posterior margins almost parallel, slightly narrowing medially, not perpendicular to median axis, inclined anteriorly; coxae of legs II, posterior margin V-shaped medially; suture between coxae of legs II approximately 2× length of suture between coxae of legs III and 1.5× length of suture between coxae of legs IV.

Opisthosoma: Opisthosoma oval, longer than wide, broadest at tergite XII. Posterodorsal and posteroventral margins without spiniform granules (figs. 16C, 19C). Tergites X–XIII each comprising median and lateral sclerites; median sclerites of tergites XI–XIII each with paired, shallow submedian depressions near anterior margins; lateral margins of median sclerites converging posteriorly on tergite XI and, to lesser extent, XII, subparallel on XIII; median sclerites of tergites XI and XII wider than long, of XIII approximately as wide as long, square; margins of lateral sclerites adjacent to tergal longitudinal membranes predominantly linear, tergal membranes narrow. Sternites XI–XIII each with pair of shallow submedian depressions similar to tergites (fig. 19C). Pygidium, basal segment parallel to longitudinal axis of opisthosoma; opening narrow, slightly compressed laterally, width two fifths lateral width of segment at its base; posterior border narrow; dorsal surface with V-shaped notch; ventral surface entire.

Pedipalps: Femur globose, length slightly more than 2× depth. Tibia longer than femur; entirely linear (fig. 20I); not noticeably robust or swollen proximally, margins subparallel in dorsal and lateral aspects; apical longitudinal carinae absent. Movable finger approximately 2× length of fixed finger.

Legs: Leg II longest, femur markedly incrassate (figs. 26A, B). Femora width (at midline) progressively increasing in order leg IV < III < I << II; dorsal surface with longitudinal sulcus distinct on all legs (fig. 4A). Leg I tibia without ventral apophyses; metatarsus subcircular in cross section, with moderate proventral depression in proximal half and without prominent ventral excrescence (fig. 21I). Leg II tibia without ventromedian apophysis (fig. 26C); tibia and metatarsus without pad of long translucent setae ventrally; metatarsus with shallow subproximal depression but without ventrosubmedian concavity or excrescence (fig. 26D); first to third tarsomeres short, subequal, fourth approximately 2× length of preceding tarsomeres; all tarsomeres movable. Leg III metatarsus not swollen, with moderate concavity dorsodistally; proventral surface without apical brushlike row of setae; prodorsal proximal sulcus present; metatarsus, metatarsal process, and tarsus precisely fitting together to completely encase copulatory apparatus when tarsus retracted; metatarsal process situated basally near tibia, robust, tapering and slightly laterally compressed, longitudinal axis sinuous, apex pointing retrolaterally; lamina cyathiformis of second tarsomere slightly longer than deep, with pointed apex; subdistal (third) tarsomere with acute dorsodistal process. Leg IV tarsus unknown (legs IV incomplete, second to fifth tarsomeres missing). Leg III (and presumably leg IV) terminal tarsomere apex, dorsal margin sublinear, covering ungues. Leg I tarsus and legs II and III terminal tarsomeres without ventrodistal papillae (legs IV incomplete, second to fifth tarsomeres missing).

Copulatory apparatus: Fixed process, PL lobe moderately expanded and dorsoventrally compressed (figs. 32B, D). Distal lobular region, primary α lobe broken, missing part lost (figs. 32, 33I); Tuxen's (1974: 102) figure 38 suggests the lobe is long, narrow, and curving toward ventral surface, but is uninformative about the shape of its margins. Primary β lobe medium sized, distinctly bicuspid, with β₁ and β₂ pointed, and β₁ noticeably larger. rsd lobe medium sized, pronounced, associated with distinct subdistal emargination. Secondary pd and rd lobes well developed, pointed. Movable process slender, slightly flexible, narrowing distally; apex simple, entire.

Female: Unknown. The specimen described by Harvey (1984) as the female of R. westermannii, is probably conspecific with R. atewa.

Distribution: The type locality of R. westermannii, Bismarckbourg (08°10′39″N 00°41′15″E), is situated in the Centrale Region of Togo, whereas the type locality of its junior synonym, R. plebejum, Misahöhe (Misahohé/Missahohé, 06°57′N 00°35′E), mispelled “Misalishe” in various works (e.g., Tuxen, 1974; Harvey, 2003), is situated in the Plateaux Region of Togo (fig. 5). Ricinoides westermannii has also been reported from Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana (Legg, 1978b, 1982; Harvey, 1984, 2003), but these records are doubtful, considering the narrow geographical distributions of most ricinuleid species. The reports by Legg (1978b, 1982), based on two deutonymphs and two tritonymphs from Man, Côte d'Ivoire (MHNG) and a tritonymph from Tafo, Ghana (AMNH IZC 324953), all of which were examined during the present investigation, cannot be confirmed because adult males are presently unknown from these localities. Harvey's (1984) report of R. westermannii from Mt. Atewa, Ghana, the type locality of R. atewa, is probably conspecific with the latter.

Ricinoides feae (Hansen, 1921): Murienne et al., 2013: 2, figs. 1, 2 (misidentification); Fernández and Giribet, 2015: 6, 7 (misidentification).

Ricinoides aff. feae (Hansen, 1921): Murienne et al., 2013: 2, figs. 1, 2; Fernández and Giribet, 2015: 7.

Ricinoides afzelii (Thorell, 1892) or Ricinoides feae (Hansen, 1921): Penney et al., 2009: 66–68, figs. 2, 3.

Remarks: The phylogenetic analyses of Murienne et al. (2013) and Fernández and Giribet (2015) included material, misidentified as R. feae, from Guinea-Bissau. Comparison with the type specimens of R. feae indicate that these specimens belong to a closely related, undescribed species. Unfortunately, the specimens were carelessly damaged in the process of DNA extraction: legs were removed from the adults and the male copulatory apparatus broken, eliminating or damaging the structures necessary for diagnosis and description. Consequently, the description of this species is postponed until intact material becomes available. The male specimen from the Gambia is unsuitable for description as the sinistral leg III is abnormal and the dextral copulatory apparatus damaged. Although a complete comparison of all the taxonomically informative characters cannot be conducted, given the condition of the few males available, all these specimens are presumed to belong to the same undescribed species. They are also probably conspecific with the specimens reported by Penney et al. (2009) from two other Gambian localities: Abuko Nature Reserve (13°23′28.38″N 16°39′00.18″W) and Bijilo Forest Park (13°26′16″N 16°43′32″W). These specimens, which Penney et al. (2009) regarded as likely belonging to either R. afzelii or R. feae, were not collected, however, and photographs of the habitus of the live animals are the only record available.

Material Examined: THE GAMBIA: Lower River: Kiang West, Keneba [13°19′52″N 16°00′34″W], 8.viii.1957, D.H. Murphy, moist litter in secondary forest, 1 ♂ (BMNH 13588975 old 1958.10.7.1), 31.vii.1957, D.H. Murphy, deciduous litter in relict riverine forest, 1 ♀, 1 larva (BMNH 13588976 old 1958.10.7.2-3), 4. ix.1957, 1 ♀, 1 tritonymph, 1 larva (BMNH 14041443 old 1958.10.7.4-6), 19.i.1958, 2 protonymphs (BMNH 14041444 old 1958.10.7.7-8). Western Region: Brikama [13°16′N 16°39′W], 12.vii.1993, P. Olivier, border of primary forest, 2 ♀ (MRAC 177.186). GUINEA-BISSAU: Bafatá Region: Bambadinca, property of Riverzoo Farm, 12°00′09″N 14°53′25.9″W, 29.vi.2005, J. Huff and V. Vignoli, secondary growth bordered by river and grass savannah, leaf litter sifting, 3 tritonymphs, 6 deutonymphs, 10 protonymphs (AMCC [LP 4664]); Bambadinca, 19 km S, 11°53′03.9″N 14°50′08.5″W, 1.vii.2005, J. Huff and V. Vignoli, wet savannah with marginal secondary rainforest, leaf litter sifting, 1 ♂(AMCC [LP 4662]), 1 tritonymph, 1 deutonymph (AMCC [LP 4663]); Bambadinca, 22 km S, 12°04′53.6″N 14°48′03.7″W, 30.vi.2005, J. Huff and V. Vignoli, mango plantation behind village, leaf litter sifting, 1 ♂, 1 ♀(AMCC [LP 4661]), 4 tritonymphs, 1 deutonymph, 5 protonymphs, 2 larvae (AMCC [LP 4658]), 12°04′53.6″N 14°48′03.7″W, 2.vii.2005, J. Huff and V. Vignoli, wet forest with permanent pond, under log, 1 ♀ (AMCC [LP 4660]). SENEGAL: Kédougou Region: Kédougou, W along road to Salemata, 12°33′10.6″N 12°13′39.4″W, 4.vii.2005, J. Huff and V. Vignoli, sparse forest with small boulders, hand collected under rocks and logs, 1 ♀ (AMCC [LP 4659]).