Heliconilla aculeata, 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 : 305-306

Heliconilla aculeata sp. nov.

(Figs 1305–1306, 1312, 1369–1373)

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, THAILAND, Nakhon Sri Thammarat Province: Tha Sala District, Khao Nan NP, 2 March 2006, sifting ( MHNG) . Paratypes: 1♀, same data as holotype ( MHNG) . THAILAND, Nakhon Sri Thammarat Province: 1♀, 12 May 2006, sifting ( MHNG) ; 4♀, 20 August – 20 September 2006, pitfall trap, ( MHNG, TNHM) ; all leg. P. Dankittipakul; 1♀, Khao Luang NP, Ban Kiriwong , 170 m, 10 February 1991, leg. P.J. Schwendinger ( MHNG) .

Diagnosis. Males are very similar to those of H. irrorata comb. nov. and H. globularis sp. nov. in having a broad, blade-like embolus provided with a proximal accessory process. They can be distinguished from H. irrorata comb. nov. by the lack of a transparent ridge and the different shape of an accessory process on the embolus (Figs 1369 cf. 1334); from H. globularis sp. nov. by the triangular embolic base (Figs 1369 cf. 1357). Females can be distinguished by the configuration of the distal part of the spermathecae (Fig. 1312).

Etymology. The specific epithet is the adjective of the Latin noun (aculeus = needle), referring to the needleshaped accessory process on the embolus.

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 8.70; prosoma 4.30 long, 3.20 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.10, ALE 0.08, 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 11.14 (3.00, 3.76, 2.30, 2.04), II 10.00 (2.72, 3.18, 2.30, 1.76), III 9.80 (2.70, 3.14, 2.30, 1.62), IV 13.54 (3.28, 3.96, 3.82, 2.46).

Coloration (Fig. 1305). Carapace dark brown. Chelicerae dark brown. Sternum dark reddish brown. Legs brown. Opisthosoma sepia.

Palp (Fig. 1369). RTA short and stout, broad at base, gradually tapered towards blunt apex. Cymbium with broad cymbial fold, reaching approximately 3/4 of its length. TA broad at base, with vague baso-prolateral ridge; apex terminally sharply pointed; apico-prolateral flange well-developed, posteriorly with narrow membranous region. Embolic base triangular, directed posteriad; anterior membranous part narrowed. Embolus originating at180°, blade-like, provided with needle-shaped accessory process situated proximally.

Female (paratype). Total length 9.40; prosoma 4.65 long, 4.10 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 10.14 (2.80, 3.38, 2.10, 1.82), II 8.84 (2.10, 2.66, 2.38, 1.68), III 8.62 (2.52, 2.96, 1.82, 1.26), IV 12.50 (3.08, 3.64, 3.50, 2.24).

Coloration (Fig. 1306). Carapace, chelicerae brown. Sternum reddish brown. Legs brown. Opisthosoma sepia.

Genitalia (Figs 1312, 1370–1373). Epigynal plate rectangular, anterior margin wider than posterior margin. Proximal part of spermathecae elongated, slightly curved, provided with spherical swelling on posterior surface; distal part narrowed, internally with two coils.

Natural history. Heliconilla aculeata sp. nov. was collected in semi-evergreen lowland rainforests.

Distribution. Southern Thailand.