Heliconilla furcata, 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 : 303-304

Heliconilla furcata sp. nov.

(Figs 1301–1302, 1311, 1321, 1362–1368)

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, THAILAND , Chaiyaphum Province: Pa Hin Ngam NP, ecotone between mixed deciduous and dry dipterocarp forests (15º38.1' ''N, 101º23.9'E), 700 m, pan traps, 14–15 October 2006, leg. P. Dankittipakul ( MHNG) . Paratypes: 1♂, same data as holotype . Phitsanulok Province: 2♂, Thung Salaeng Luang NP, dry deciduous forest (16º50'N 101º52'E), 580 m, litter sample 15 November 2006, leg. P. Dankittipakul ( MHNG) .

Diagnosis. Males of H. furcata sp. nov. can be easily recognized by the terminally bifid embolus provided with a petal-shaped mesal ramus and a lanceolate lateral one (Figs 1321, 1364–1365). Females have relatively short spermathecae with a triangular apical part (Fig. 1311).

Etymology. The specific epithet is the adjective of the Latin noun (furca = fork) and refers to the bifurcate embolus.

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 8.10; prosoma 4.05 long, 3.06 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.10, ALE 0.06, PME 0.06, PLE 0.06, AME–AME 0.04, AME–ALE 0.06, PME–PME 0.08, PME–PLE 0.18; MOQ: 0.24 long, 0.20 anterior width, 0.18 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 10.30 (2.76, 3.50, 2.14, 1.88), II 9.26 (2.52, 9.50, 2.14, 1.62), III 9.06 (2.50, 2.90, 2.14, 1.50), IV 12.52 (3.02, 3.66, 3.54, 2.28).

Coloration (Fig. 1301). Carapace dark chestnut-brown. Chelicerae dark brown. Sternum dark reddish brown. Legs brown.

Palp (Figs 1321, 1362–1365). RTA digitiform, lateral margins almost parallel, apex bluntly pointed, slightly bent ectad. Cymbium with broad cymbial fold, reaching approximately half its length. TA with sharply pointed apex, terminally bent in anteromesal direction; apico-prolateral flange reduced and indistinct in ventral view, triangular in prolateral view. Embolic base aligned in transverse direction; anterior membranous part broad, triangular. Embolus originating at 270°, diverging subterminally, consisting of petal-shaped mesal ramus and lanceolate lateral ramus.

Female (paratype). Total length 8.75; prosoma 4.30 long, 3.86 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.10, ALE 0.08, PME 0.06, PLE 0.06, AME–AME 0.04, AME–ALE 0.08, PME–PME 0.06, PME–PLE 0.16; MOQ: 0.22 long, 0.20 anterior width, 0.18 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 9.40 (2.60, 3.12, 2.00, 1.70), II 8.20 (1.94, 2.48, 2.22, 1.56), III 7.98 (2.34, 2.74, 1.70, 1.16), IV 11.60 (2.86, 3.38, 3.26, 2.08).

Coloration (Fig. 1302). Carapace, chelicerae brown. Sternum reddish brown. Legs yellowish. Opisthosoma sepia.

Genitalia (Figs 1311, 1366–1368). Epigynal plate rectangular, anterior margin slightly wider than posterior margin. Proximal part of spermathecae more or less cylindrical; distal part triangular, apex blunt, internally with two large coils.

Natural history. Heliconilla furcata sp. nov. was collected in deciduous forests.

Distribution. Northeastern Thailand.