Mallinella multicornis, 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 : 59-66

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.3369.1.1
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5254126
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/933EDA4C-B91F-FFDC-CBC2-F91EFB863F5D
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Mallinella multicornis
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Mallinella multicornis View in CoL sp. nov.

( Figs 210–211 View FIGURES 208–211. 208 , 216–217, 219–220 View FIGURES 216–220. 216–217, 219 , 230 View FIGURES 227–234. 227 , 240 View FIGURES 235–242. 235 , 273–277 View FIGURES 273–277. 273 )

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, MALAYSIA, Penang Island: Penang Hill , 150–330 m, 2 December 1991, leg. P.J. Schwendinger ( MHNG, PM –4) . Paratype: 1♀, same data as holotype ( MHNG) .

Diagnosis. Males of M. multicornis sp. nov. are recognized by a broad embolus in combination with the TA on male the palp provided with several teeth ( Fig. 273 View FIGURES 273–277. 273 ). Females are most likely to be confused with those of M. linguiformis sp. nov. in the similar shape of the epigynal plate ( Figs 230 View FIGURES 227–234. 227 cf. 229) but the apex of the spermathecae is enlarged, and subspherical ( Figs 275 View FIGURES 273–277. 273 cf. 295).

Etymology. The specific epithet is a combination of Latin words (adjective, multus = many; adjective, cornis = horned) and refers to the TA on the male palp.

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 10.70; prosoma 5.28 long, 4.55 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.32, ALE 0.24, PME 0.20, PLE 0.20, AME–AME 0.16, AME–ALE 0.30, PME–PME 0.22, PME–PLE 0.48; MOQ: 0.62 long, 0.60 anterior width, 0.54 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 11.19 (3.07, 3.44, 2.46, 2.21), II 10.94 (2.82, 3.44, 2.70, 1.96), III 10.82 (2.95, 3.32, 2.82, 1.72), IV 13.18 (3.07, 4.30, 4.05, 1.74).

Coloration ( Fig. 210 View FIGURES 208–211. 208 ). Carapace dark reddish brown, margin dark brown. Sternum and chelicerae reddish brown. Legs yellowish. Dorsum of opisthosoma sepia. Dorsal pattern: first pair almost indistinct; second pair represented by narrow bands extending laterally; third to fifth pairs by transverse chevrons.

Palp ( Fig. 273 View FIGURES 273–277. 273 ). Retrolateral margin of palpal tibia well-developed, subtriangular, apex bluntly pointed. RTA digitiform, short and stout, apex rounded. TA with elongated apico-prolateral process; apical ridge sharply pointed; mesal ridge with three teeth directed anteriad. Tegular spine pronounced, relatively broad at base, terminally blunt. Embolic base originating at 270°, anterior margin excavated to accommodate broad membranous part. Embolus broad, semi-transparent, dilated subapically.

Female (paratype). Total length 12.30; prosoma 5.94 long, 4.30 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.30, ALE 0.24, PME 0.20, PLE 0.22, AME–AME 0.14, AME–ALE 0.28, PME–PME 0.20, PME–PLE 0.50; MOQ: 0.60 long, 0.58 anterior width, 0.56 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 10.20 (2.95, 3.07, 2.58, 1.59), II 10.73 (2.90, 3.38, 2.58, 1.86), III 10.25 (2.97, 3.27, 2.41, 1.59), IV 10.99 (3.07, 3.17, 2.95, 1.79).

Coloration ( Fig. 211 View FIGURES 208–211. 208 ). Carapace reddish brown. Sternum and chelicerae brown. Legs yellowish. Dorsum of opisthosoma sepia, mottled with numerous minute pale spots. Dorsal pattern: first pair represented by elongateovoid spots; second pair by thin transverse bands, almost fused medially, extending laterally; third to fifth pairs by broad chevrons.

Genitalia ( Figs 230 View FIGURES 227–234. 227 , 240 View FIGURES 235–242. 235 , 274–277 View FIGURES 273–277. 273 ). Epigynal plate rectangular, posterior margin slightly excavated in center, lobular lateral margins strongly pronounced. Spermathecae with cylindrical proximal part, abruptly bent posteriorly, distal part rounded.

Natural history. Mallinella multicornis sp. nov. inhabits lowland evergreen forest on Penang Island.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality on Penang Island, west Malaysia.