Mallinella abnormis, 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 : 71

Mallinella abnormis sp. nov.

( Figs 212, 290–293)

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, MALAYSIA, Johor State: Gunung Arong (02°33'12.1"N, 103°45'20.5"E), 20 m, rainforest, 15 km north of Mersing , 29–30 May 2004, leg. P.J. Schwendinger ( MHNG, MAL –04/06).

Diagnosis. Mallinella abnormis sp. nov. can be distinguished from all other members of the hilaris -group by the strongly reduced tegular spine on the male palp ( Fig. 290); apart from the lack of this structure, its somatic morphology and palpal conformation correspond well with the definition of the species-group.

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from Latin adjective ( abnormis = deviating from a rule; irregular) alluding to its greatly reduced tegular spine.

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 9.91; prosoma 4.88 long, 3.99 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.22, ALE 0.18, PME 0.18, PLE 0.18, AME–AME 0.14, AME–ALE 0.20, PME–PME 0.18, PME–PLE 0.40; MOQ: 0.58 long, 0.54 anterior width, 0.50 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 13.46 (3.70, 4.14, 2.96, 2.66), II 13.17 (13.40, 4.11, 3.25, 2.36), III 13.02 (3.55, 3.99, 3.40, 3.07), IV 15.86 (3.70, 5.18, 4.88, 2.10).

Coloration ( Fig. 212). Carapace reddish brown. Chelicerae dark brown. Sternum orange–brown. Legs yellowish. Dorsum of opisthosoma sepia, mottled with numerous minute spots. Dorsal pattern: first and second pairs represented by paired oval spots, first pair distinctly smaller than second ones; third to fifth pairs represented by a series of transverse chevrons. Dorsal scutum weakly sclerotized, edge diffused.

Palp ( Figs 290–293). Retrolateral margin of palpal tibia with well-developed triangular elevation. RTA digitiform, short and stout, apex blunt. TA elongated; apico-prolateral process bifid, curved backwards; apico-prolateral ridge triangular, short; triangular subterminal ridge situated prolaterally, visible in lateral view; baso-prolateral tooth sharply pointed, directed anteriad. Tegular spine indistinct. Embolic base originating at 270°, with anterior median incision; membranous area triangular. Embolus broad, with longitudinal groove over entire length; mesal ridge dilated distally, forming semi-transparent flange.

Female. Unknown.

Natural history. Mallinella abnormis sp. nov. inhabits lowland rainforest.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality.