Mallinella stenotheca, 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 : 262-264

Mallinella stenotheca sp. nov.

(Figs 1113, 1187–1188, 1216–1223)

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, THAILAND, Chiang Mai Province: Fang District, Mae Fang NP, Doi Pha Hom Pok , evergreen hill forest along a gully, 1,500 m, ca. 100 m off a trail to the summit (2,285 m asl), 16–17 December 2002, leg. P. Dankittipakul ( MHNG, TH–7A) . Paratypes: 1♀, 1 juvenile, same data as holotype, leg. P. Dankittipakul ( MHNG, TH–7B). THAILAND , Nan Province: 2♀, Nanthaburi NP, Doi Wao, evergreen hill forest, 1,280 m, 22 May 2002, leg. P. Dankittipakul ( MHNG, TNHM) .

Diagnosis. Males of M. stenotheca sp. nov. are easily recognized by the bifid TA which is terminally narrowed and provided with a sharply pointed subterminal tooth situated anterior to a blunt mesal tooth, as well as an elongated, filiform embolus (Fig. 1216). Females are most similar to those of M. glomerata sp. nov., they can be distinguished by the rebordered epigynal plate which is anteriorly excavated (Fig. 1113); the spermathecae are subtriangular (Fig. 1220).

Etymology. The specific epithet, an adjective, is latinized combination of Greek words, στƐvOς (= narrow) and θƞƞ (= container, box), referring to the narrow internal female genitalia.

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 8.50; prosoma 4.46 long, 3.32 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.28, ALE 0.22, PME 0.22, PLE 0.22, AME–AME 0.26, AME–ALE 0.58, PME–PME 0.20, PME–PLE 0.64; MOQ: 0.60 long, 0.62 anterior width, 0.58 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 16.20 (3.88, 5.08, 4.06, 3.16), II 13.44 (3.38, 4.22, 3.36, 2.44), III 17.52 (3.54, 4.06, 3.62, 2.26), IV 18.68 (4.50, 5.50, 5.82, 2.82).

Coloration (Fig. 1187). Carapace chestnut-brown. Chelicerae brown. Sternum orange-brown. Coxae yellowish; other leg segments yellowish brown. Dorsum of opisthosoma dark brown, mottled with numerous pale round spots. Dorsal pattern: first pair elongated; second pair separated oblong bands; third medially connected; fourth pair represented by a short transverse band.

Palp (Figs 1216–1219). RTA digitiform, distally blunt. TA rostrated; apical process elongated, apex sharply pointed in lateral view; subterminal tooth triangular, situated anterior to blunt mesal tooth; baso-prolateral tooth broad, apex pointed in lateral view. Embolic base aligned in transverse direction, with enlarged membranous part. Embolus filiform, elongated.

Female (paratype). Total length 8.75; prosoma 4.55 long, 3.62 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.28, ALE 0.22, PME 0.22, PLE 0.22, AME–AME 0.18, AME–ALE 0.54, PME–PME 0.18, PME–PLE 0.64; MOQ: 0.64 long, 0.60 anterior width, 0.62 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 16.70 (4.00, 5.22, 4.20, 3.24), II 13.84 (3.48, 4.34, 3.48, 2.50), III 13.92 (3.64, 4.18, 3.74, 2.32), IV 19.22 (4.64, 5.66, 7.00, 2.90).

Coloration (Fig. 1188). Carapace chestnut-brown. Chelicerae brown. Sternum orange-brown. Coxae yellowish; other leg segments slightly darker. Dorsum of opisthosoma dark brown, mottled with numerous pale round spots. Dorsal pattern: first pair almost indistinct; second pair separated oblong bands; third medially connected; fourth pair represented by a round spot.

Genitalia (Figs 1113, 1220–1223). Epigynal plate represented by elevated transverse band; anterior medially with distinct incision. Lateral borders sharply pointed. Spermathecae triangular in dorsal view, apex blunt, curved backwards, internal duct simple.

Natural history. Mallinella stenotheca sp. nov. was collected in pristine evergreen hill forests above 1,200 m in northern Thailand.

Distribution. Northern Thailand.