Mallinella cryptocera, 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 : 43

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.3369.1.1
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/933EDA4C-B90F-FFB7-CBC2-FC8BFD883E66
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Mallinella cryptocera
status

Treatment

The cryptocera View in CoL -group

The cryptocera -group is defined by a combination of homoplasious characters: the relatively broad, lanceolate dorsal scutum (Ch. 13, state 3) with clearly defined edge (Ch. 15, state 2); the dorsal pattern on the opisthosoma represented by a pair of anterior reniform patches (Ch. 18, state 3), followed by two pairs of pale spots (Ch. 19, state 0); the additional dorsal apophysis on the RTA (Ch. 50, state 2); the rostrated TA (Ch. 83, state 1) lacking apical modification (Ch. 82, state 0).

In other Mallinella species , the dorsal scutum is generally narrow, represented by a longitudinal band with sharply defined or vaguely diffused edge. Only the pecularis -group and some African species have a large scutum but it appears elliptical. Males of the cryptocera -group can be further recognized by an additional apophysis on the dorsal side of RTA ( Figs 166–167 View FIGURES 166–169. 166–167 , 176–177 View FIGURES 174–177. 174–177 ) and a pronounced, triangular elevation on the retrolateral side of palpal tibia ( Figs 166–167 View FIGURES 166–169. 166–167 , 194 View FIGURES 194–201. 194–197 ). For the present, a triangular retrolateral elevation is regarded as advanced, the primitive condition being vestigial or absence. This pronounced elevation also occurs in the hilaris -, fronto - and klossi - groups of Mallinella . The purpose of these complex apophyses (RTA + second RTA + retrolateral elevation) is unknown. They could have the same function as the tibial apophyses of Storena or Tenedos . By possessing these apophyses, the cryptocera -group shows the most complicated modification of the male palpal tibia among Mallinella species.

Other distinctive characters shared among the cryptocera -group include: the cylindrical PVS with bluntly pointed apex; the enlarged PME; the shallow anterior median incision on a transverse epigynal plate ( Figs 168–169 View FIGURES 166–169. 166–167 ); the tubular spermathecae with simple internal duct.

Species account. Five species: Mallinella platycera sp. nov., M. cryptocera sp. nov., M. callicera sp. nov., M. microcera sp. nov., M. vietnamensis Ono, 2003 .

Distribution. Thailand and Vietnam.