Mallinella pecularis, 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 : 239-241

Mallinella pecularis sp. nov.

(Figs 1086–1090, 1092–1093)

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, THAILAND, Lamphun Province: Mae Tah District , dry dipterocarp forest along state highway to Lampang Province, 20 May 2002, leg. P. Dankittipakul ( MHNG, TH–6A) . Paratypes: 3♂, same data as holotype ( MHNG, TH–6B; TNHM) .

Diagnosis. Mallinella pecularis sp. nov. can be recognized by a lengthened epigastric stalk on the anterior part of the opisthosoma which reminds of a medially constricted body with a distinct petiole in most hymenopterans (Figs 1086, 1088–1089). The male palp can be easily distinguished by a depression on the expanded tegulum surrounded by several elevated ridges and by a basal extension on the retrolateral side of the cymbium (Figs 1092–1093).

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to its peculiar somatic and genitalic morphology which has not been seen elsewhere.

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 8.20; prosoma 4.30 long, 3.35 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.20, ALE 0.20, PME 0.18, PLE 0.20, AME–AME 0.22, AME–ALE 0.42, PME–PME 0.24, PME–PLE 0.56; MOQ: 0.64 long, 0.60 anterior width, 0.66 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 15.82 (3.78, 4.96, 3.96, 3.08), II 13.12 (3.30, 4.12, 3.29, 2.38), III 13.20 (3.46, 3.96, 3.54, 2.22), IV 18.22 (4.40, 5.36, 5.68, 2.74).

Coloration (Figs 1086–1087, 1089–1090). Carapace uniform brown. Chelicerae brown, distally reddishbrown. Sternum and chillum reddish-brown. Anterior legs yellowish; posterior ones light brown; femora slightly darker; coxae I-III whitish. Opisthosoma short, oblong, ventrally with an epigastric scutum protruding anteriorly to form stalk. Opisthosoma with pale brown dorsal scutum overlying pattern of two pairs of oblique bands situated in front, followed by three distinctly shorter, transverse median bands. Epigastric scutum brown; epigastric region orange-brown. PVS distinctly short, apically rounded, situated in front of sclerotized plate. Spinnerets as usual in the subfamily Zodariinae .

Palp (Figs 1091–1093). RTA short and truncated, apex with triangular ventral ridge. Cymbium with basal horn extending retrolaterally; cymbium fold broad, occupying less than half cymbial length. TA with bifid apical process, lateral branch short and blunt, mesal branch elongated, sharply pointed; transverse mesal ridge semi-transparent. Tegulum expanded, provided with large retrolateral depression surrounded by undulating ridges. Tegular spine absent. Apex of conductor terminally sharply pointed; dorsolateral process of conductor triangular. Embolic base aligned in transverse direction, strongly excavated posteriorly; membranous area triangular, broad. Embolus bifurcated, deviating proximally; lateral ramus broad and truncated, subterminally enlarged, forming semi-transparent flange, abruptly bent anteriad; mesal ramus elongated, slender, longer than mesal ramus, provided with narrowed subterminal flange.

Female. Unknown.

Natural history. The type specimens were found freely roaming on the floor of a dry dipterocarp forest. Distribution. Known only from the type locality in northern Thailand .