Diagnosis: The new genus can be distinguished from Jabbastygnus by: (1) MS A1–A3 located on a distinctive lobe (figs. 25, 26, 28, 29) (not so in Jabbastygnus); (2) armature of carapace, with a high mound with an acute spine on top (figs. 2, 5, 7, 13, 16, 18) (with an irregular monticle in Jabbastygnus); (3) dorsal scutum outline type epsilon (figs. 1, 6, 12, 17) (in Jabbastygnus it is type zeta); (4) mesotergum with three scutal areas (figs. 1, 6, 12, 17) (unlike Jabbastygnus, four areas, although areas III–IV are partially fused in the median portion); (5) scutal area III with a pair of high acuminate spines (figs. 1, 4, 5, 7, 12, 15, 16, 18) (unlike Jabbastygnus, with a pair of small tubercles); (6) scutal yellowish spots, metallic and shiny (figs. 1, 2, 12, 13) (unlike Jabbastygnus, with spots, when present not metallic or shiny — see comments above); (7) free tergites II–III with a median pair of larger acuminated tubercles (figs. 1, 4, 6, 12, 15, 17) (unlike Jabbastygnus, with a row of similar tubercles). (8) Stylus without dorsal process (figs. 26, 29) (present although reduced in Jabbastygnus). (9) MS C1–C3, short and slightly thickened (figs. 25, 26, 28, 29), unlike Jabbastygnus (thin and slender). (10) MS E1 small and MS E2 enlarged (figs. 26, 27, 29, 30) (like Auranus; unlike Jabbastygnus, with MS E1–E2 enlarged and similar; unlike Ricstynus, with MS E1–E2 extremely reduced).

Remarks: Because of its genital morphology, the new genus is primarily compared with the genus Jabbastygnus, with which shares the following characters: LP with a flat, rounded, subquadrangular platform (figs. 25–30) + a pair of erect middorsal lobes (fig. 25) (shared with Auranus hehu Pinto-da-Rocha and Tourinho, 2012, and A. parvus Mello-Leitão, 1941, lobes absent in Fortia sith gen. nov., sp. nov.); separated from truncus by a deeply multiwrinkled toroidal region (fig.s 25–30) (shared with Auranus hehu, A. tepui Pinto-da-Rocha and Tourinho, 2012, and Jabbastygnus); MS A1–A3 located dorsally (figs. 26, 29), close to each other, forming a slanted row widely separated from MS B, which is ventrally inserted; interocular mound armed (figs. 2, 5, 7, 13, 16, 18) (shared with Jabbastygnus and Ricstygnus); and dorsal scutum with yellowish spots (figs. 1, 2, 12, 13). Yellowish spots on dorsal scutum have not been previously recorded in Jabbastygnus (Kury and Villarreal, 2015), however, additional material examined (ICN–AO) showed to have a small yellowish spot in the form of two crescents in the posterior area of mesotergal area IV. Additionally, a detailed comparison with all other genera of Stygninae is included in table 1.

Etymology: From reconstructed Vulgar Latin noun fortia (force, strength, might), which is ultimately the origin of the English word force, here referring to the biological/metaphysical/ spiritual power depicted in the fictional universe of the epic space-opera Star Wars (initiated with the 1977 movie of the same name by George Lucas) and relating to the contrasting species, which are juxtaposed in a yin-yang dualistic relationship as contrary forces.

Included species: Fortia jedi, sp. nov. (Magdalena, Colombia) (type species) and Fortia sith, sp. nov. (Magdalena, Colombia). Both species occur apparently in sympatry, separated by altitude. However, as the present sampling is minimal, the hypothesis of altitudinal allopatry remains to be verified.

Type data: ♂ holotype (AMNH_IZC 00146658), COLOMBIA, Magdalena, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, trail from San Pedro de la Sierra. 2300 m. C.W.D. Gibson and R.J. Robins.

Diagnosis: Fortia jedi differs from the only other congeneric species by the pattern of the spots on the dorsal scutum: the presence of five main median spots (two on the posterior border of carapace, two in the median region of both sides of area I and one median large spot on the median region of area II) forming a rough pentagon (figs. 1, 6) (unlike F. sith, a median rectangular spot on area II and with two small points on the internal corner of area I) (figs. 12, 17); the presence of spots laterally to the eyes and in the posterior region of carapace (absent in F. sith); absence of yellowish spots on lateral border of area I (presents in F. sith); by males femur, patella and tibia III normally thickened, not abruptly differentiated from leg II (in F. sith both legs III and IV are thickened); and the ornamentation of the legs IV of the males, trochanter with a large apical retrolateral apophysis (figs. 10, 11) (reduced to a short spine in F. sith), femur without a retrolateral row of large tubercles (unlike F. sith, which has a retrolateral row of large tubercles, decreasing in size distally) (figs. 10, 11, 23, 24).

Description: Measurements. DSL = 4, DSW = 3.4, ID = 2; Pedipalp: Co = 0.9, Tr = 0.9, Fe = 2.9, Pa = 1.1, Ti = 1.7, Ta = 1.4, total = 8.9; Leg IV: Fe = 5.1, Pa = 1.4, Ti = 2.5, Mt = 4.7, total = 13.7. Dorsum (figs. 1, 6). DS outline epsilon. Anterior margin of prosoma with 3–4 anterolateral tubercles; cheliceral sockets shallow, between two short processes. Eyes separated into two small mounds with some anterior granules, placed posteriorly on the carapace. Interocular region with small granules and one central high mound, placed slightly forward on carapace and covered with sparse granules, ending with a high spine on top. Lateral margin with a row of minute granules. Mesotergum divided into three areas: I divided medially into two triangular halves, with one small granule on each side; II unarmed and entire, with only two granules on each side, medially invading area I and reaching the carapace; III with two small tubercles on each side and a pair of paramedian high spines. Posterior margin slightly convex, with two small tubercles. Free tergites I–III with a row of granules, and a paramedian pair of large tubercles (I) and acuminated short spines (II>III). Venter (fig. 3). Coxa I with a row of 7–8 conspicuous tubercles; II–III with 2–3 median rows of granules and a small apical tubercle; IV densely granulated. Genital operculum finely granulated. Free sternites with a row of minute granules. Chelicerae (figs. 1–3, 5, 6). Segment I with five small tubercles on bulla; II swollen, with scattered granules on anterior side, fixed finger with four distal teeth (Iiii); mobile finger with a large basal tooth and with three distal teeth (I_Iii). Pedipalps (figs. 8, 9). Coxa dorsally with a proximal low hump with three tubercles on it; ventrally with two conspicuous tubercles. Trochanter with one dorsal tubercle, and one tubercle and two granules on the ventral side. Femur thin and curved in the proximal third, contouring the cheliceral hand, and thicker and straighter in the two distal thirds; dorsally with a row of four granules placed on distal half and an apical apophysis; an ectal and a mesal row of tubercles, the later ones being more noticeable; ventrally with a proximal prominent tubercle, and a row of seven spaced tubercles. Patella slightly swollen distally, with two dorsal small tubercles, ventrally smooth. Tibia dorsally with abundant tubercles, ventrally smooth; tibia mesal IIiIi, ectal IiIiIii. Tarsus dorsally and ventrally smooth; tarsus mesal IiIiii, ectal Iiii. Legs (figs. 10, 11). Coxae I–II with a prolateral bifid tubercle and a retrolateral tubercle; III with a prolateral tubercle; IV with sparse prolateral small tubercles and an apical larger and conical tubercle. Trochanter I dorsally smooth and one retrolateral granule; II with one dorsal tubercle and sparse minute granules, two retrolateral small tubercles; III with sparse granules and a retroapical tubercle; IV with sparse prolateral, dorsal and retrolateral low tubercles, one slightly larger dorsoapical tubercle, and a large retrolateral apical apophysis. Femora I–II with retroventral and proventral rows of granules; II with a dorsoapical apophysis; III with proventral and retroventral rows of low tubercles, one retroventral row of tubercles increasing in size distally, other rows with granules and a dorsoapical apophysis; IV slightly curved, distally swollen, with a dorsal, prodorsal, retrodorsal, and retrolateral rows of tubercles of relatively equal size, one proventral and one retroventral row of tubercles increasing in size distally, as well as two prodorsal and retrodorsal apical apophyses. Patella I granulated; II–III evenly covered with low tubercles; IV covered with tubercles larger than those in III, more noticeable on ventral side, with two dorsoapical conspicuous tubercles and a retroventral and retrolateral group of six strong tubercles almost forming a row. Tibiae I–II slightly thicker distally, while III–IV are visibly thicker distally; I smooth; II–III with rows of noticeable granules; IV with rows of tubercles: a prolateral row of small tubercles, a retrolateral row of tubercles, two ventral rows of slightly larger tubercles increasing in size distally, and two dorsal rows of tubercles. Metatarsi I–IV smooth. Basitarsus I with basal segment slightly swollen. Tarsal process present. Tarsal claws III–IV subparallel, unpectinated. Tarsal segmentation: 7(3)/15(3)/6(3)/7(3). Penis (figs. 25–27). Truncus subapically encircled by multiple small wrinkles dorsally and laterally, along with a few thick ventral folds. Malleus with two dorsolateral lobes, forming a dorsal concavity where the glans rests. Malleus lobes contain MS A1–A3 that form a dorsolateral arch and MS B, which continues the same arch but is separated by a wide gap and inserted ventrally. MS A1–A3 larger than MS B. Lamina parva formed by: (1) a columnar base, slightly compressed laterally bearing MS C–E; (2) a concave subquadrangular platform; and (3) a pair of erect middorsal lobes. MS D1 small, dorsolateral, at junction glans/stylus; MS C1–C3 dorsally slightly curved and flattened, forming a transverse row just below platform; MS E1 short, MS E2 long, both pairs forming a rectangle in ventral view. Coloration (in alcohol, figs. 1–5). Dorsal scutum, chelicerae, and pedipalps pale yellow, legs slightly translucent. Dorsal scutum with metalized spots on ectal side of eyes, posterior zone of carapace, internal corners of area I, median zone and lateral border of area II, and median zone and posterior border of area III.

Female: Unknown.

Distribution: Known only for the type locality.

Etymology: Noun in apposition from the neologism jedi, a monastic order of academics and peacekeepers, users of the light side of the energy field known as The Force in the Star Wars fictional universe. Specific epithet in reference to the light coloration of the type specimen.

Type data: ♂ holotype (AMNH_IZC 00146659), COLOMBIA, Magdalena, Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta, trail from San Pedro de la Sierra, 2800 m. Dec. 1974–Jan 1975. C. Gibson and R. Robins. From tank of bromeliad Vriesea capituligera.

Diagnosis: See diagnosis in F. jedi, sp. nov.

Description: Measurements. DSL = 4.2, DSW = 3.6, ID = 2.3; Pedipalp: Co = 0.7, Tr = 0.9, Fe = 3.2, Pa = 1.25, Ti = 1.9, Ta = 1.6, total = 9.55; Leg IV: Fe = 4.8, Pa = 1.5, Ti = 3.4, Mt = 5.1, total = 14.8. Dorsum (figs. 12, 17). DS outline epsilon. Anterior margin of prosoma with five anterolateral tubercles; cheliceral sockets shallow. Eyes separated into two small mounds with some anterior granules, placed posteriorly on carapace. Interocular region with small granules and one central high mound, placed slightly forward on the carapace and covered with sparse granules, ending with a high spine on top. Lateral margin with a row of minute granules. Mesotergum divided into three areas: I divided medially into two triangular halves, with one small granule on each side; II mostly smooth, with only two granules on each side, invading medially area I and reaching carapace; III with one small tubercle on each side and a pair of paramedian high spines. Posterior margin slightly convex with two paramedian small tubercles. Free tergite I with a row of granules, and a paramedian pair of tubercles, II–III with a row of tubercles and a pair of acuminated short spines of roughly the same length. Venter (fig. 14). Coxa I with a row of five tubercles and an apical wide tubercle; II–III with one median row of small tubercles and sparse granules; IV densely granulated. Genital operculum finely granulated. Free sternites with a row of small granules. Chelicerae (figs. 12–14, 16, 17). Segment I with some setiferous granules on ectal and mesal sides of bulla; II swollen, with scattered setiferous granules on anterior side, fixed finger with a distal keel with four low barely distinguishable teeth; mobile finger with a large basal tooth and with three distal teeth (I_Iii). Pedipalps (figs. 19, 20). Coxa dorsally with a proximal low hump with three tubercles on it; ventrally with two conspicuous tubercles, one central and one apical. Trochanter with one dorsal and one ventral tubercle. Femur thin, proximal third curved, contouring the cheliceral hand, and distal third swollen; dorsally with a row of setiferous granules and an apical tubercle; an ectal and a mesal row of granules; ventrally with a row of six equally spaced tubercles. Patella distally swollen, with two dorsal small tubercles, ventrally smooth. Tibia dorsally with sparse small tubercles, ventrally smooth; tibia mesal IIiIi, ectal IIiIii. Tarsus dorsally and ventrally smooth; tarsus mesal IiIiii, ectal iIiiii. Legs (figs. 21–24). Coxae I with two dorsal tubercles, one anterior and one posterior; II with an anterodorsal tubercle; III smooth; IV with sparse prolateral small tubercles and an apical larger and conical tubercle. Trochanter I dorsally smooth and one retrolateral granule; II with one dorsoapical conical tubercle and sparse minute granules, sparse retrolateral granules; III with sparse granules and a retroapical tubercle; IV with sparse prolateral, dorsal, and retrolateral granules, one slightly larger dorsoapical tubercle and a retrolateral spine. Femora I–II with retroventral and proventral rows of minute granules; II with pro and retrodorsal apical apophysis; III with one prodorsal and one prolateral row of small tubercles, a proventral row of tubercles, a retroventral row of tubercles increasing in size, a retrolateral row of tubercles decreasing in size distally, apically with a prodorsal tubercle and a retrodorsal spine; IV distally swollen, with an incomplete dorsal, prodorsal, retrodorsal, and prolateral row of small tubercles, one proventral and one retroventral row of tubercles significantly increasing in size distally, and a retrolateral row of large tubercles decreasing in size distally, also two pro- and retrodorsal spines. Patella I–II granulated; III evenly covered with low tubercles; IV evenly covered with tubercles larger than those in III except for the ventral side, with large retrodorsal and retroventral apical tubercles. Tibiae I–II thin, slightly thicker distally, while III–IV are visibly stronger and swollen distally; I–II with rows of granules; III with rows of small tubercles on dorsal, prolateral, and retrolateral surfaces, and a retroventral row of tubercles increasing in size distally; IV with rows of small tubercles on dorsal, prolateral, and retrolateral surfaces, also a proventral row of tubercles and a retroventral row of larger tubercles increasing in size distally. Metatarsi I–IV smooth. Basitarsus I with the first two basal segments slightly swollen. Tarsal process present. Tarsal claws III–IV subparallel, unpectinated. Tarsal segmentation: 7(3)/14(3)/6(3)/7(3). Penis (figs. 28–30). Truncus subapically thickened and encircled by multiple small wrinkles. Malleus with two dorsolateral lobes, forming a dorsal concavity where the glans rests. Malleus lobes contain MS A1–A3 that form a dorsolateral arch and MS B forms part of the same arch, but is separated by a wide gap and inserted ventrally. MS A1–A3 larger than MS B. Lamina parva formed by: (1) a columnar base, slightly compressed laterally bearing MS C–E; and (2) a concave subquadrangular platform; middorsal lobes absent. MS D1 small, dorsolateral, at the junction glans/stylus; MS C1–C3 dorsally slightly curved and flattened, forming a transverse row just below platform; MS E1 short, MS E2 long, both pairs forming a trapezium isosceles in ventral view. Coloration (in alcohol, figs. 12–16). Dorsal scutum, cheliceral segment I, and legs I–II brown. Cheliceral segment II reddish brown, with a light reticle on the majority of its surface, and a dark reticle on the basal region. Pedipalps dark brown with a darker reticle. Legs III–IV dark brown. Dorsal scutum with light, metallic spots on internal corners and lateral border of area I, median zone and lateral border of area II, and median zone, lateral border and posterior border of area III.

Female: ♀ paratype (AMNH_IZC 00146660), same data as holotype. Measurements. DSL = 4.14, DSW = 3.6, ID = 1.9; Pedipalp: Co = 1.02, Tr = 0.6, Fe = 2.62, Pa = 1.3, Ti = 1.7, Ta = 1.3, total = 8.54; Leg IV: Fe = 3.86, Pa = 1.2, Ti = 2.5, Mt = 4.2, total = 11.76.

Female description: Similar to male, except chelicera not swollen; ornamentation of leg IV conspicuously less developed; basitarsus I not swollen.

Distribution: Known only for the type locality.

Etymology: Noun in apposition from neologism sith, an ancient monastic and kraterocratic organization devoted to the dark side of the energy field known as The Force, and main antagonists of the Star Wars fictional universe. Only this time the sith apparently has the high ground. Specific epithet in reference to the dark coloration of the type specimens.