Mallinella vulpina, 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 : 106-108

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.3369.1.1
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5254178
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/933EDA4C-B94C-FFF6-CBC2-F9CCFE403B57
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Mallinella vulpina
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Mallinella vulpina View in CoL sp. nov.

( Figs 427–429 View FIGURES 424–433. 424, 426 , 435 View FIGURES 434–439. 434 , 445–446 View FIGURES 440–446. 440–442 , 455–461 View FIGURES 455–461. 455–458 )

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, INDONESIA, New Guinea, Irian Jaya: Waigeo Island, Yembekaki , 0–180 m, 20–23 January 2001, leg. A. Riedel ( MHNG) . Paratype: INDONESIA, Irian Jaya, Manokwari Province: 1♀, Manokwari, Gunnung Meja , 200 m, 30 December 2000 – 1 January 2001, leg. A. Riedel ( MHNG) .

Diagnosis. The male of M. vulpina sp. nov. is similar to that of M. zebra in the shape of the TA but can be distinguished by the mesal ramus which is broadened at the base and distally pointed ( Fig. 455 View FIGURES 455–461. 455–458 ). The female can be easily distinguished by the V-shaped epigynal plate ( Fig. 435 View FIGURES 434–439. 434 ) and by the abruptly bent spermathecae possessing a small apical apparatus ( Fig. 446 View FIGURES 440–446. 440–442 ).

Etymology. The specific epithet ‘ vulpina ’ is the Latin adjective of vulpes (= fox) referring to the close resemblance between the TA of the male palp and an ancient Egyptian mask of Anubis.

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 6.34; prosoma 3.17 long, 2.25 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.25, ALE 0.16, PME 0.18, PLE 0.18, AME–AME 0.07, AME–ALE 0.15, PME–PME 0.11, PME–PLE 0.36; MOQ: 0.60 long, 0.52 anterior width, 0.46 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 8.70 (2.38, 3.16, 1.82, 1.34), II 7.44 (1.98, 2.70, 1.58, 1.18), III 6.30 (1.82, 1.78, 1.58, 1.70), IV 9.66 (2.54, 3.04, 2.68, 1.42).

Coloration ( Fig. 427 View FIGURES 424–433. 424, 426 ). Carapace uniform dark mahogany-brown, integument finely punctated. Coxae and trochanters whitish; anterior legs yellowish, metatarsi yellowish green dorsally; posterior legs yellowish brown. Dorsum of opisthosoma sepia, dorsal pattern: first and second pairs absent, third and fourth pairs represented by very faint transverse patches. Dorsal scutum narrowed, oblong, heavily sclerotized, extending to half length of opisthosoma.

Palp ( Figs 455–458 View FIGURES 455–461. 455–458 ). RTA digitiform in ventral view, relatively short, broad at base, gradually tapered towards its bluntly pointed apex. Cymbial fold narrowed, less than half length of cymbium. TA with bifid apical process, two divergent branches; apico-retrolateral fold triangular, directed mesad; basal tooth triangular, apex sharply pointed. Tegular spine absent. Embolic base directed posteriad, provided with large antero-prolateral membranous area and baso-retrolateral concavity. Embolus branching proximally; mesal ramus relatively broad, with semitransparent subterminal flange and terminally sharply pointed apex; lateral ramus distinctly longer, filiform.

Female (paratype). Total length 6.52; prosoma 3.26 long, 2.28 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.24, ALE 0.15, PME 0.17, PLE 0.18, AME–AME 0.08, AME–ALE 0.16, PME–PME 0.12, PME–PLE 0.38; MOQ: 0.58 long, 0.52 anterior width, 0.48 posterior width.Leg measurements: I 8.96 (2.45, 3.26, 1.87, 1.38), II 7.66 (2.00, 2.76, 1.60, 1.22), III 6.48 (1.86, 1.82, 1.63, 1.14), IV 9.94 (2.60, 3.08, 2.76, 1.48).

Coloration ( Fig. 428 View FIGURES 424–433. 424, 426 ). Carapace truncate, orange-brow. Legs bi-colored: coxae whitish; anterior legs yellowish brown; posterior legs brown, patellae and femora distally yellowish. Opisthosoma sepia; dorsum with two pair of minute oblong pale spots, followed by two short transverse bands.

Genitalia ( Figs 435 View FIGURES 434–439. 434 , 445–446 View FIGURES 440–446. 440–442 , 459–461 View FIGURES 455–461. 455–458 ). Epigynal plate narrowed, V-shaped, with deep anterior median incision. Lateral borders sharply pointed. Spermathecae very long, bent posteriorly, apical part spherical, with two internal coils; gland pore situated dorsolaterally.

Natural history. Mallinella vulpina sp. nov. was collected by sifting soil and decomposing organic litter at low altitude.

Distribution. Known only from the Vogelkop Peninsula of northern New Guinea (Irian Jaya) and from the nearby island of Waigeo.