Mallinella bigemina, 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 : 254-255

Mallinella bigemina sp. nov.

(Figs 1109, 1165–1167)

Material examined. Holotype: ♀, MALAYSIA, Borneo, Sabah State: Mt. Kinabalu NP, Lumu–Lumu , 6,300 ft, 25 July 1951, leg. R. Traub ( AMNH).

Diagnosis. Mallinella bigemina sp. nov. appears to be closely related to M. fronto in having the narrowed epigyne and the distinctly elevated posterior median margin protruding over an epigastric furrow (less so in M. fronto ) (Figs 1109 cf. 1142–1145). The spermathecae of both species are difficult to discriminate from the elongated insemination ducts. However, M. bigemina sp. nov. can be distinguished by the peculiar dorsal modification on the spermathecae (Fig. 1166).

Etymology. The specific epithet, bigeminus, an adjective, is derived from the Latin (bis = twice and gemino = to double), referring to the pattern on the dorsum of the opisthosoma with the enlarged second pair being distinctly larger than the first.

Description. Female (holotype). Total length 7.20; prosoma 3.76 long, 3.04 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.28, ALE 0.22, PME 0.22, PLE 0.22, AME–AME 0.28, AME–ALE 0.54, PME–PME 0.20, PME–PLE 0.58; MOQ: 0.64 long, 0.64 anterior width, 0.60 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 13.86 (3.32, 4.34, 3.48, 2.70), II 11.48 (2.90, 3.60, 2.88, 2.08), III 11.56 (3.02, 3.48, 3.10, 1.92), IV 15.96 (3.86, 4.70, 4.98, 2.48).

Coloration. Carapace orange-brown, anterolateral margin dark brown. Sternum brown. Legs yellowish. Dorsum of opisthosoma dark sepia. Dorsal pattern: anteriorly with two pairs of round spots, first one distinctly smaller, obliquely arranged, second pair in transverse position; third to fifth pairs represented by a series of broad transverse median bands.

Genitalia (Figs 1109, 1165–1167). Epigyne with enlarged posterior median hump protruding over epigastric furrow. Spermathecae fused with insemination ducts, provided with distinctive dorsal modification, distal part of spermathecae subspherical in anterior view.

Male. Unknown.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality in the Mt. Kinabalu NP, Borneo.