Mallinella angulosa, 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 : 180-184

Mallinella angulosa sp. nov.

( Figs 779–780, 798–799, 823–827)

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, MALAYSIA, Pahang State: G. (Gunnung?) Batu Berinchang , 2,000 m, berl. damp. leaf litter, 24 April 1977, leg. L.E. Watrous AL–1862 ( AMNH) . Paratypes: 1♂, same data as holotype ( AMNH); MALAYSIA, Pahang State : 1♀, Cameron Highlands, Gunnung Jasar trail 11, 1,550 m (tamisage), 24 March 1993, leg. I. Löbl & F. Calame ( MHNG, WM93–18 b) .

Diagnosis. Males of M. angulosa sp. nov. are recognized by the presence of a slender digitiform RTA, in combination with a filiform embolus ( Fig. 823). Males are distinguished from those of the closely related M. brachyrhyncha sp. nov. by the lack of triangular subterminal ridge on the embolus. Females are easily recognized by the spermathecae which are divergent anteriorly ( Fig. 799).

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from angulatus (= bent, angular) and refers to the anterior divergence of the spermathecae.

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 6.56; prosoma 4.05 long, 2.60 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.30, ALE 0.22, PME 0.18, PLE 0.22, AME–AME 0.12, AME–ALE 0.26, PME–PME 0.20, PME–PLE

0.42; MOQ: 0.60 long, 0.48 anterior width, 0.44 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 16.50 (3.98, 5.02, 4.64, 2.84), II 14.56 (3.74, 4.26, 3.96, 2.58), III 13.84 (3.52, 4.02, 4.04, 2.22), IV 18.56 (4.08, 5.44, 6.10, 2.90).

Coloration ( Fig. 779). Carapace dark brown. Chelicerae brown. Sternum orange-brown. Legs yellowish. Dorsum of opisthosoma sepia. Dorsal pattern: first and second pairs clearly separated, forming reniform patches situated anteriorly; third to sixth pairs represented by four pairs of pale round patches, medially with three small irregular patches running longitudinally in between.

Palp ( Fig. 823). Retrolateral side of palpal tibia elevated, represented by triangular hump. RTA digitiform, reaching half bulbus length, apex sharply pointed. TA rostrated; apico-prolateral process slender, sharply pointed, directed posteromesad; baso-retrolateral tooth blunt. Embolic base aligned in transverse direction; membranous area narrowed. Embolus filiform, elongated and slender.

Female (paratype). Total length 6.68; prosoma 4.12 long, 2.78 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.28, ALE 0.20, PME 0.16, PLE 0.20, AME–AME 0.10, AME–ALE 0.30, PME–PME 0.20, PME–PLE 0.42; MOQ: 0.56 long, 0.46 anterior width, 0.44 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 16.80 (4.06, 5.10, 4.72, 2.88), II 14.82 (3.80, 4.34, 4.02, 2.64), III 14.08 (3.58, 4.08, 4.12, 2.28), IV 18.88 (4.14, 5.54, 6.22, 2.94).

Coloration ( Fig. 780). Carapace orange-brown. Chelicerae brown. Sternum orange-brown. Legs pale yellowish. Dorsum of opisthosoma dark sepia. Dorsal pattern: first and second pairs fused, forming reniform patches situated anteriorly; third to fifth pairs represented by three pairs of pale round patches, with three smaller pale patches running longitudinally in between them.

Genitalia ( Figs 798–799, 824–827). Epigynal plate ovoid, without anterior median incision. Spermathecae widest proximally, with basal swelling, distal part cylindrical, abruptly bending laterally.

Natural history. Mallinella angulosa sp. nov. inhabits the forest floor at relatively high altitude (approximately 1,550–2,000 m asl).

Distribution. Known only from the type locality on the Malay Peninsula.