Mallinella immaculata Zhang & Zhu, 2009

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 : 77-81

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.3369.1.1
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/933EDA4C-B969-FFCD-CBC2-F9EBFB333F59
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Mallinella immaculata Zhang & Zhu, 2009
status

Treatment

Mallinella immaculata Zhang & Zhu, 2009 View in CoL

( Figs 310–311 View FIGURES 310–313. 310 , 330 View FIGURES 327–331. 327–329 , 347–353 View FIGURES 347–353. 347–349 )

Mallinella immaculata Zhang & Zhu, 2009: 65 View in CoL View Cited Treatment , figs 7–9, description of ♂

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, CHINA , Yunnan Province: Longzhou County, Pingxiang City, Mt. Daqing , 14 May 2006, leg. M.S. Zhu ( MHBU, examined) . Paratypes: THAILAND, Nakhon Ratchasima Province: 1♂, Pak Chong District, Khao Yai NP, nature trail (14º24.5'N, 101º22.4'E), 750 m, 20 August 2007, ( MHNG) GoogleMaps ; 3♂, 15 October 2006 ( MHNG) ; 3♂, 1♀, 15 September 2007 ( MHNG, TNHM) ; 2♂, 15 July 2006 ( TNHM) ; 2♂, 1 August 2006 ( MHNG) . Loei Province: Phu Kradueng NP : 1♀, Phu Kradueng, 270 m, Kok Hin Ngam (16º51.8'N, 101º50.7'E), 270 m, 10 August 2007 ( MHNG) GoogleMaps . All leg. P. Dankittipakul.

Diagnosis. Males of M. immaculata are easily recognized by the reduction of the apico-prolateral fold on the TA ( Fig. 347 View FIGURES 347–353. 347–349 ); this feature distinguishes them from other members of the decorata -group. The epigynal plate is greatly reduced, represented by a rebordered lenticular plate ( Fig. 330 View FIGURES 327–331. 327–329 ).

Remarks. Unlike other members of the decorata -group, the male holotype collected from China does not have a distinctive dorsal pattern on its opisthosoma, explaining why the specific epithet immaculata was chosen as species name by the Zhang & Zhu (2009). However, the opisthosomal pattern, which is synapomorphic for the species-group, appears on all the paratypes collected in Thailand.

Description. Male (paratype, Thailand).

Coloration ( Fig. 310 View FIGURES 310–313. 310 ). Carapace uniform dark reddish brown, integument strongly granulated. Sternum orange-brown. Chelicerae brown. Coxae white; anterior legs yellowish, posterior ones pale brown. Opisthosoma dark sepia, mottled with numerous pale spots. Dorsal pattern: first pair represented by enlarged pale spots, medially connected; second pair by broad, disconnected band extending anteriorly; third pair by two smaller bands, almost fused medially; from fourth pair onwards by a series of transverse bands fusing with additional pair of pale spots. Dorsal scutum coriaceous, yellowish, elongated and narrowed, extending to half opisthosomal length.

Palp ( Figs 347–349 View FIGURES 347–353. 347–349 ). RTA digitiform, abruptly bent at half its length, gradually tapered towards blunt apex. Cymbial fold broad, reaching approximately 3/4 length of cymbium. TA terminally with bifid apical process, mesal branch sharply pointed, lateral one distinctly shorter; apico-prolateral fold indistinct; baso-prolateral fold welldeveloped, anterior margin rounded. Tegular spine truncated, apex bluntly pointed. Embolic base reniform, strongly excavated on retrolateral side; membranous area broad, triangular. Embolus filiform, elongated, originating at 180°.

Female (paratype, Thailand, first description). Total length 8.72; prosoma 4.14 long, 2.72 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.10, ALE 0.08, PME 0.08, PLE 0.07, AME–AME 0.06, AME–ALE 0.12, PME–PME 0.09, PME–PLE 0.21; MOQ: 0.28 long, 0.38 anterior width, 0.22 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 9.51 (2.57, 2.99, 2.28, 1.65), II 9.04 (2.61, 2.72, 2.28, 1.41), III 9.09 (2.63, 2.89, 2.13, 1.41), IV 9.74 (2.72, 2.81, 2.61, 1.59).

Coloration ( Fig. 311 View FIGURES 310–313. 310 ). Carapace orange-brown. Dorsum of opisthosoma pale brown. Dorsal pattern: first pair represented by two medially connected pale patches; second pair by broad, disconnected band extending laterally; from third pair onwards by a series of transverse bands fusing with additional pair of pale patches.

Genitalia ( Figs 330 View FIGURES 327–331. 327–329 , 350–353 View FIGURES 347–353. 347–349 ). Epigynal plate lenticular, relatively narrowed, slightly protruding over epigastric furrow, anterior median incision indistinct. Epigastric furrow rebordered. Internal genitalia with moderately long insemination ducts. Lateral margin of spermathecae greatly constricted in anterior view; apex of spermathecae blunt, strongly convoluted internal duct with 4–5 apical coils.

Natural history. Mallinella immaculata inhabits dry dipterocarp and semi-evergreen rain forests of northeastern Thailand and hill forests of southern China.

Distribution. Northeastern Thailand (Provinces of Nakhon Ratchasima and Loei) and China.