(FIGS 26A–F, 30, 38P)
Type material: Holotype: male: IVORY COAST: Bettié, forêt de Mabi, 06°05′N, 03°30′W, 18.iii.1993, rainforest, Mühlenberg M. (MRAC 177085).
Paratypes: IVORY COAST: 1 ♀: Appouesso, Forêt Classée Bossematié, 06°35′N, 03°28′W, 15.i.1995, forest, pitfall, Jocqué R. & Tanoh (MRAC 204342); 1 ♀: same locality, 18.xii.1995, forest, pitfall, Jocqué R. & Tanoh (MRAC 204343); 1 ♂: Bettié, Forêt Classée. Mabi, 06°05′N, 03°30′W, 24.iii.1997, grappe 3, along road, Steyn T. (MRAC 207390).
Other material: LIBERIA: 1♀: Bong Range Forest, 06°49′N, 10°17′W, 21.iv.2005, pitfalls in rain forest, Flomo D. (MRAC 216614); 1♀: 8.iv.2005 (MRAC 216638); 1♀: 21.iv.2005 (MRAC 216652); 1♀: 13.iii.2005 (MRAC 216731); 1♂: 30.v.2005 (MRAC 216940); 1♀: 8.vii.2005 (MRAC 217093); 1♀: 11.ix.2005 (MRAC 217614); 1♂: 2–7.x.2005 (MRAC 217657); 1♂: 1–24.x.2005 (MRAC 217750). GUINEA: 1♂: F.C. de Ziama, 08°24′N, 09°17′W, 8.viii.1999, rain forest, pitfalls, Flomo D. (MRAC 218109); 1♀: 21.viii.1999 (MRAC 218110); 1♂: 4.xi.1998 (MRAC 218111).
Diagnosis: Males of P. lanius are characterized by the large bifid RTA with two fairly long pointed prongs and by the massive proximal part of the tegulum that partly hides the long slender embolus. Females are recognized by the epigyne with dark mushroomshaped pattern with the internal structure narrowing towards the front.
Etymology: The species name is a noun in apposition and refers to a bird (Lanius excubitor) that was recognized in the shape of the RTA by Alain Reygel, the artist who created most of the drawings for this article.
Description: Male (holotype, MRAC 177085). Total l 5.05.
Carapace chestnut brown, covered by tiny warts forming a network with polygonal meshes. Carapace l: 2.65; w: 2.15. Fovea deep, clearly delimited. Sternum warted, l: 1.15; w: 1.35. Abdomen greyish brown, with a large, brown dorsal scutum covering 85% of do abdominal surface area.
Legs orange-brown, covered by fine warts.
Leg spination: fe: I pl 0-0-1-1-1 rlv 0-1-1-1-1; III do 0-0-1; IV do 0-1-1; ti: I ve 2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2; II ve 2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2; mt: I ve 2-2-2-2; II ve 2-2-2-2; III ve 0-2-0; IV ve 1-1-1.
Male palp (Fig. 26A–D): RTA large, broad, with two large slightly diverging terminal prongs; PTA a short, thick, pointed knob. Bulbus broad. Embolus with broad base and thin, strongly curved distal part. MA broad, membranous, widely incised at tip; FC large, fan-shaped at extremity. Proximal part of tegulum massive, CAPT extending far forward, hiding most of bulbus structure in ve view; wide central part with thin, spine-shaped retrolateral excrescence; triangular PAPT pointing prolaterally.
Female (paratype, MRAC 204342). Total l 4.85.
Carapace as in male, l: 2.20; w: 1.85. Sternum warted, l: 1.10; w: 1.25. Abdomen greyish brown, without do scutum. Legs orange-brown, covered by fine warts.
Leg spination: fe: I pl 0-0-1-1-1 rlv 1-1-1-1-1; III do 0-0-1; IV do 0-1-1; ti: I ve 2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2; II ve 2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2; mt: I ve 2-2-2-2; II ve 2-2-2-2; III ve 0-2-0; IV ve 1-1-1.
Epigyne (Figs 26E–F, 38P): a mushroom-shaped darkened area with internal structure visible in transparency. Copulatory openings near posterior rim; copulatory ducts almost straight, leading to closely set spermathecae; with large lobate ducts along copulatory ducts.
Known geographical distribution: Ivory Coast (Fig. 30).