Mallinella platycera, Dankittipakul & Jocqué & Singtripop, 2012

Dankittipakul, Pakawin, Jocqué, Rudy & Singtripop, Tippawan, 2012, Systematics and biogeography of the spider genus Mallinella Strand, 1906, with descriptions of new species and new genera from Southeast Asia (Araneae, Zodariidae) 3369, Zootaxa 3369 (1), pp. 1-327 : 43-46

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.3369.1.1
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/933EDA4C-B90F-FFB0-CBC2-F974FCC33F52
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Mallinella platycera
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Mallinella platycera View in CoL sp. nov.

( Figs 158–159 View FIGURES 156–161. 156 , 162–163 View FIGURES 162–165. 162–163 , 169 View FIGURES 166–169. 166–167 , 174–185 View FIGURES 174–177. 174–177 View FIGURES 178–185. 178–181 )

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, THAILAND, Chiang Mai Province: Fang District, Mae Fang NP, Doi Pha Hom Pok , moist evergreen hill forest along a gully (2,000–2,200 m) near the summit (2,285 m), leaf litter sample, 16–17 July 2002, leg. P. Dankittipakul & P.J. Schwendinger ( MHNG, TH–8A) . Paratypes: 1♂, 3♀, same data as holotype ( MHNG, TH–8B). THAILAND, Chiang Mai Province: Chiang Mai City , Doi Suthep-Pui NP : 1♂, dry deciduous dipterocarp forest, 350 m, 9 May 1986, leg. P.J. Schwendinger ( MHNG, TH–8C) ; 2♂, Monthatharn

Waterfall, mixed deciduous dipterocarp forest along a gully, 650 m, leaf litter sample, 24 June 2001, leg. P. Dankittipakul ( MHNG, TH–8D); 1♂, 600 m, pitfall trap, 15 July 2002, leg. D. Thapanya ( MHNG, TH–8E) ; 1♀, evergreen hill forest, 960 m, 23 April – 2 June 1986 ( MHNG) ; 4♂, 1♀, ibidem, 28 April – 30 May 1987 ( TNHM) ; 1♂, 2♀, ibidem, 26 March – 30 July 1986 ( MHNG) ; 3♂, ibidem, 2–27 July 1986 ( MHNG) ; 1♂, ibidem, 4–28 April 1987 ( TNHM) . All latter leg. P.J. Schwendinger. 1♀, Chiang Dao District, Doi Chiang Dao , 510 m, 22 September – 25 October 1990, leg. P.J. Schwendinger ( MHNG TH–8W) ; 1♀, outside Tham Klaeb , 3 March 1985, forest litter, leg. C. Deeleman-Reinhold ( RMHN) . Chiang Rai Province: 1♂, Phan District, Doi Luang NP, Poo Kaeng Waterfall, mixed deciduous dipterocarp forest near a waterfall, 800 m, 10 May 2002, leg. P. Dankittipakul ( MHNG, TH–8F) ; 1♀, Mae Sai District, Doi Tung , evergreen hill forest, 1,350 m, 30 October 1991, leg. P.J. Schwendinger ( MHNG, TH–8X) .

Diagnosis. Males of M. platycera sp. nov. are easily recognized by the second RTA ( Figs 176–178, 179 View FIGURES 174–177. 174–177 View FIGURES 178–185. 178–181 ) which is relatively broad at base, in combination with the embolus carrying a subterminal process and a triangular apical flange ( Fig. 181 View FIGURES 178–185. 178–181 ). Females are distinguished from those of M. cryptocera sp. nov. by a deeper anterior median incision on the epigynal plate and by the narrower apex of their spermathecae in anterior view.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a latinized combination of the Greek words (πλατʋς = broad, flat; κƐρας = horn, antler) meaning ‘wide horn’, and refers to the broadest second RTA found among males of this species-group. Noun in apposition.

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 5.69; prosoma 2.80 long, 2.29 wide; opisthosoma 2.89 long, 2.12 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.13, ALE 0.14, PME 0.15, PLE 0.14, AME–AME 0.14, AME–ALE 0.24, PME–PME 0.18, PME–PLE 0.32; MOQ: 0.50 long, 0.36 anterior width, 0.46 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 7.73 (2.12, 2.38, 1.70, 1.53), II 7.56 (1.95, 2.38, 1.87, 1.36), III 7.48 (2.04, 2.29, 1.95, 1.19), IV 9.11 (2.12, 2.97, 2.80, 1.20).

Coloration ( Fig. 158 View FIGURES 156–161. 156 ). Carapace uniform orange-brown. Sternum reddish brown. Chelicerae brown. Coxae pale yellowish, other leg segments yellowish brown. Dorsum of opisthosoma sepia, mottled with numerous minute pale spots. Dorsal pattern: first and second pairs fused, forming reniform patches; third and fourth pairs represented by two pairs of oblong patches; from fifth pair onwards by a series of transverse median bands. Dorsal scutum orange-brown, edge sharply defined.

Palp ( Figs 176–181 View FIGURES 174–177. 174–177 View FIGURES 178–185. 178–181 ). RTA digitiform, elongated, lateral margins parallel in retrolateral view, apex blunt. Second RTA more or less quadrangular, broad at base, abruptly tapered to rounded apex. Meso-retrolateral side of tibial moderately elevated. TA rostrated, strongly concave prolaterally; with straight apical ridge; apico-prolateral fold sharply pointed, directed mesad; apico-prolateral process absent; baso-retrolateral flange triangular, apex blunt, directed mesad, clearly visible in prolateral view. Conductor terminally sharp and pointed. Embolus flattened, originating at 270°, with broad, semi-transparent flange and lanceolate apex.

Female (paratype, MHNG TH–8B). Total length 7.36; prosoma 3.49 long, 2.30 wide; opisthosoma 3.86 long, 2.26 wide. AME 0.13, ALE 0.14, PME 0.15, PLE 0.14, AME–AME 0.14, AME–ALE 0.25, PME–PME 0.14, PME–PLE 0.32; MOQ: 0.52 long, 0.38 anterior width, 0.48 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 7.63 (2.20, 2.30, 1.93, 1.19), II 8.03 (2.17, 2.53, 1.93, 1.39), III 7.67 (2.22, 2.44, 1.80, 1.19), IV 8.22 (2.30, 2.37, 2.20, 1.34).

Coloration ( Fig. 159 View FIGURES 156–161. 156 ). Similar to males but slightly larger in size. Anterior legs yellowish; posterior ones yellowish brown.

Genitalia ( Figs 169 View FIGURES 166–169. 166–167 , 182–185 View FIGURES 178–185. 178–181 ). Epigynal plate rectangular, anterior margin with U-shaped median incision, posterior margin straight. Spermathecae with digitiform apex.

Natural history. Mallinella platycera sp. nov. occupies a wide range of habitats, from disturbed, lowland dry dipterocarp forests to pristine evergreen hill forests.

Distribution. Widely distributed in northern Thailand.