Mallinella exornata (Thorell, 1887) comb. nov.

(Figs 8, 12–16)

Storena exornata Thorell. Thorell, 1887: 69, description of male

Storena suavis Thorell. Thorell, 1897: 193, description of female (misplaced)

Material examined. Holotype: 3, BURMA, Bhamo: leg. L. Fea, 1885–1889, left palp missing (MSNG, examined). Other material examined. BURMA, Teinzo: 1Ƥ, leg. L. Fea, 1885–1889 (MSNG, examined, originally identified as S. suavis)

Taxonomic remarks. The male holotype of M. exornata comb. nov. was collected from Bhamo, northern Burma (Fig. 27) and described by Thorell in 1887. The female, misidentified as S. suavis was collected from Teinzo, a village located approximately 20–30 km northeast of Bhamo, the type locality of S. exornata, is here considered a true conspecific female of M. exornata comb. nov. (Figs 8, 16).

Diagnosis. The male of M. exornata comb. nov. can be recognized by the terminally bifid TA carrying a blunt apico-prolateral tooth situated anterior to a smaller but sharply pointed one in lateral view (Figs 12–15). The female (designated here) can be recognized by the median plate of the epigyne which is provided with a deep anterior median incision and protruding posterior median margin (Figs 8, 16).

Redescription. Male (holotype): Prosoma pear-shaped, widest between coxae II and III, in profile highest half way between PME and fovea. Carapace dark reddish brown. Sternum and chelicerae brown. Legs yellowish. Opisthosoma oval, covered with black, fine pubescence. Dorsum of opisthosoma dark purplish, with lightly sclerotized longitudinal dorsal scutum occupying approximately 1/3 opisthosomal length. Dorsal pattern represented by paired pale, round spots, followed by medially disconnected transverse bands and a series of broad transverse bands. Palp (Figs 12–15). RTA digitiform, short and stout, apex truncated. TA terminally with bifid apical process, its mesal branch elongated, sharply pointed, directed posteriad, its lateral branch slightly shorter; apico-retrolateral tooth more or less triangular, apex blunt, situated anterior to smaller, sharply pointed tooth; baso-prolateral ridge visible only in lateral view. Embolic base with straight anterior margin, strongly excavated posterior medially; membranous area triangular, narrowed and thin. Embolus with deep, longitudinal groove; mesal flange terminally with lanceolate extremity and deep, apical notch.

Female (from Teinzo, MSNG): As in male but dorsal pattern on opisthosoma slightly different, represented by two pairs of pale, round spots and a series of transverse median bands. Genitalia (Figs 8, 16). Median plate of epigyne bi-lobed, anterior margin with deep and broad median incision; posterior margin straight, provided with elevated median projection protruding over epigastric furrow.

Distribution. North-east Burma (Bhamo and Tienzo).