Heliconilla cochleata, 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 : 298-300

Heliconilla cochleata sp. nov.

(Figs 1297–1298, 1309, 1343–1348)

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, VIETNAM, Lam Dong Province: route Da Hoa (= Da Huoai)– Bao Loc , ca. 13 km southwest of Bao Loc (11º27'19.8"N, 107º43'03.8"E), 690 m, evergreen rainforest, 31 August 2003, leg. P.J. Schwendinger ( MHNG, SV–03/17) . Paratypes: 2♀, same data as holotype ( MHNG, SV–03/17). VIETNAM , Dong Nai Province: 1♂, 1♀, Cat Tien NP, 25 km northwest of Tan Phu (11º25'22.3"N, 107º25'42.5"E), 130 m ,

evergreen rainforest between HQ and Mr. Dong redwood tree, 26–29 August 2003, leg. P.J. Schwendinger ( MHNG, SV–03/14).

Diagnosis. Heliconilla cochleata sp. nov. can be distinguished from its congeners by a triangular embolic basem the lack of an accessory process on the embolus in males (Fig. 1343), and the strongly convoluted distal part of the spermathecae in females (Fig. 1309).

Etymology. The species name is and adjective derived from cochlea (= snail’s shell), alluding to the close resemblance between the semi-circular canals of the cochlea and the distal part of the spermathecae.

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 8.45; prosoma 4.20 long, 3.15 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.10, ALE 0.08, PME 0.06, PLE 0.06, AME–AME 0.04, AME–ALE 0.06, PME–PME 0.08, PME–PLE 0.18; MOQ: 0.24 long, 0.20 anterior width, 0.18 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 10.80 (2.90, 3.66, 2.24, 1.98), II 9.70 (2.64, 3.08, 2.24, 1.70), III 9.50 (2.62, 3.04, 2.24, 1.58), IV 13.14 (3.18, 3.84, 3.70, 2.38).

Coloration (Fig. 1297). Carapace dark chestnut-brown, anteriorly covered with numerous white pubescence. Chelicerae chestnut-brown. Sternum reddish brown. Legs orange-brown. Opisthosomal background sepia.

Palp (Figs 1343–1344, u65–u66). RTA digitiform, broad at base, gradually tapered towards blunt apex. Cymbial fold broad, reaching 2/3 length of cymbium. TA terminally pointed in anteromesal direction; margin of apicoprolateral flange rounded in ventral view; basal tooth pointed anteriad. Embolic base triangular, aligned in transverse direction. Embolus broad, linear, originating at 90°.

Female (paratype). Total length 9.20; prosoma 4.54 long, 4.06 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.10, ALE 0.08, PME 0.06, PLE 0.06, AME–AME 0.04, AME–ALE 0.08, PME–PME 0.06, PME–PLE 0.16; MOQ: 0.22 long, 0.20 anterior width, 0.18 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 9.92 (2.74, 3.30, 2.06, 1.78), II 8.64 (2.06, 2.60, 2.32, 1.64), III 8.426 (2.48, 2.90, 1.78, 1.24), IV 12.24 (3.02, 3.56, 3.44, 2.20).

Coloration (Fig. 1298). Carapace, chelicerae brown. Sternum reddish brown. Legs yellowish brown. Opisthosomal background sepia.

Genitalia (Figs 1309, 1345–1348). Epigynal plate rectangular, wider than long, anterior margin slightly excavated, posterior margin convex, protruding over epigastric furrow. Distal part of spermathecae strongly convoluted, with two loops in anterior view.

Natural history. Heliconilla cochleata sp. nov. was collected in evergreen rainforests.

Distribution. Southern Vietnam.