Mallinella flabelliformis, 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 : 249

Mallinella flabelliformis sp. nov.

(Figs 1096, 1132–1135)

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, MALAYSIA, Pahang State: Charas Hill (03º54'41.1"N, 103º 08'50.2"E), 60 m, rainforest remnant at the foot of limestone hill, 3 km north of Panching , 3–4 June 2004, leg. P.J. Schwendinger ( MHNG, AS –04/08) . Paratype: 1♂, same data as holotype ( MHNG) .

Diagnosis. The male of M. flabelliformis sp. nov. can be recognized by the expanded apex on mesal ramus of the embolus, in combination with the truncated mesal fold on the TA (Fig. 1132). It can be distinguished from males of the closely related M. flabellata sp. nov. in having a smaller mesal ramus of the embolus and a strongly pronounced mesal ridge on the TA.

Etymology. The specific epithet, flabelliformis , is derived from latinized combination of words (flabellum = a small hand fan).

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 7.85; prosoma 4.08 long, 3.12 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.32, ALE 0.22, PME 0.22, PLE 0.22, AME–AME 0.26, AME–ALE 0.60, PME–PME 0.20, PME–PLE 0.66; MOQ: 0.66 long, 0.70 anterior width, 0.60 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 15.16 (3.64, 4.74, 3.80, 2.94), II 12.56 (3.16, 3.94, 3.14, 2.28), III 12.64 (3.32, 3.80, 3.40, 2.10), IV 17.46 (4.22, 5.14, 5.44, 2.62).

Coloration (Fig. 1096). Carapace orange-brown, slightly darker anteriorly. Sternum yellowish. Chelicerae yellowish brown. Legs yellowish; distal part of femora, metatarsi and tarsi pale brown. Dorsum of opisthosoma pale brown; background mottled with numerous minute pale spots. Dorsal pattern: first pair represented by elongateovoid spots; second pair by round spots; third to fifth pairs pale chevrons.

Palp (Figs 1132–1135). Retrolateral margin of palpal tibia elevated, subtriangular, apex rounded, directed retrolaterad. RTA digitiform, distinctly broad at base, gradually tapered towards bluntly pointed apex. Cymbial fold broad, occupying less than half of cymbial length. TA rostrated, posteriorly broad, tapered anteriorly; transverse apical ridge well-developed; bifid apico-prolateral process elongated, with sharply pointed mesal branch; meso-retrolateral fold enlarged, terminally blunt, directed mesad; pro-basal tooth small. Embolic base in transverse position, posterior margin strongly excavated medially. Tegular spine absent. Embolus relatively broad, branching at mid length, mesal ramus apically dilated, forming thin transparent flange, apex of lateral ramus digitiform, pointed ectad.

Female. Unknown.

Natural history. Mallinella flabelliformis sp. nov. was collected from a remnant patch of lowland evergreen rainforest at the foot of a lime stone hill.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality on the Malay Peninsula.

Sub-group 2 accommodates species sharing the following diagnostic characters: the pattern on dorsum of the opisthosoma lacks the peculiar chevrons typical for sub-group 1; the retrolateral side of palpal tibia not modifided; the lack of apical modification on the TA (only bifid apico-prolateral process present); the narrowed epigynal plate; the elongated spermathecae widely separated, no clear boundary between spermathecae and insemination ducts.