Mallinella ampliata, 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 : 237-239

Mallinella ampliata sp. nov.

(Figs 1080–1085)

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, VIETNAM, Lam Dong Province: Datanla Waterfall, ca. 5 km south of Da Lat (11º54'02.2"N, 108º26'54.0"E), 1,300 m, evergreen hill forest, 5–12 September 2003, leg. P.J. Schwendinger ( MHNG, SV–03/20) . Paratypes: 3♂, 2♀, same data as holotype ( MHNG, SV–03/20). VIETNAM, Lam Dong Province : 1♂, Mt. Penhatt, near Quang Trung Reservoir, ca. 8 km south of Da Lat (11º52'37.4"N, 108º25'58.3"E), 1,500 m, evergreen hill forest, 6 September 2003, leg. P.J. Schwendinger ( MHNG, SV–03/21) .

Diagnosis. Males of Mallinella ampliata sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by the broad chitinous embolus, and by the peculiar shape of the TA (Fig. 1080). Females are recognized by the cordiform epigyne protruding posteriorly.

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the widened chitinous flange on the embolus.

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 6.92; prosoma 3.48 long, 3.30 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.32, ALE 0.20, PME 0.18, PLE 0.20, AME–AME 0.28, AME–ALE 0.36, PME–PME 0.20, PME–PLE 0.56; MOQ: 0.80 long, 0.68 anterior width, 0.58 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 13.62 (3.26, 4.26, 3.42, 2.64), II 11.28 (2.84, 3.54, 2.82, 2.04), III 11.36 (2.98, 3.42, 3.04, 1.80), IV 15.68 (3.78, 4.62, 4.90, 2.36).

Coloration. Carapace dark chestnut-brown. Sternum reddish brown. Chelicerae dark brown. Legs orange, coxae orange–brown. Dorsum of opisthosoma dark brown. Dorsal pattern: paired anterior reniform patches followed by two pairs of round spots and a transverse chevron (derived from fusion of fifth pairs).

Palp (Figs 1080–1083). RTA digitiform, rather short, lateral margins parallel in ventral view, apex sharply pointed. Cymbial fold occupying half length of cymbium. Conductor with triangular dorsal process directed retromesad. TA with transparent apico-retrolateral fold directed anteriad. Embolic base aligned in transverse direction, with triangular anterior margin; membranous area distinctly narrowed. Embolus basally with broad chitinous flange and sharply pointed extremity, terminally filiform.

Female (paratype). Total length 7.90; prosoma 4.02 long, 3.16 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.28, ALE 0.20, PME 0.20, PLE 0.20, AME–AME 0.24, AME–ALE 0.38, PME–PME 0.20, PME–PLE 0.48; MOQ: 0.60 long, 0.52 anterior width, 0.46 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 15.12 (3.62, 4.74, 3.78, 2.94), II 12.54 (3.16, 3.94, 3.14, 2.26), III 12.62 (3.30, 3.78, 3.38, 2.10), IV 17.42 (4.20, 5.12, 5.44, 2.62).

Coloration. Carapace brown. Chelicerae dark brown. Sternum brown. Legs yellowish brown, tibiae, metatarsi and tarsi brown. Dorsum of opisthosoma dark brown. Dorsal pattern: paired anterior reniform patches followed by three pairs of spots and a short transverse band between fifth pair.

Genitalia (Figs 1084–1085). Epigynal plate cordiform, with circular genital orifices situated medially, posterior margin protruding over epigastric furrow. Insemination ducts cylindrical. Spermathecae Y-shaped in dorsal view, excavated medially, anterior part shorter than posterior one.

Natural history. Mallinella ampliata sp. nov. inhabits pristine evergreen hill forests at high relatively altitude (1,300–1,500 m asl).

Distribution. Known only from two localities in southern Vietnam.