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

The southern African species of the mygalomorph spider genus Hermacha Simon, 1889, are revised. Eight redescribed: H. brevicauda Purcell, 1903; caudata 1889; evanescens fulva Tucker, 1917; lanata 1902; nigrispinosa sericea and tuckeri Raven, 1985. female male described for first time. Three new described: septemtrionalis, sp. nov., maraisae, montana, nov. On basis their genital morphology curvipes 1902, nigra 1917, considered incertae sedis. Pionothele capensis Zonstein, 2016, was found to be conspecific with is synonymized. genera Brachytheliscus Pocock, Hermachola Hewitt, 1915, revalidated redescribed. (Ausserer, 1871) crudeni 1913, transferred Hermachola. (Hewitt, 1913), originally from a female, grahami male, were A species, lyleae, also described. New morphological characters diagnoses these dichotomous key all here provided. Known distributions mapped and, where available, ecological data included. With exception mazoena endemic South Africa, but further survey work in neighboring countries needed. This substantially improves taxonomy this group spiders provides foundation investigation diversity relationships within region.