Mallinella shuqiangi, 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 : 273

Mallinella shuqiangi sp. nov.

(Figs 1239–1244)

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, CHINA, Shaanxi Province: Taibai Shan (Mt.), above Houshenzi , 18 June 1997, leg. J. Martens & P. Jäger ( SMF).

Diagnosis. Males of this new species resemble those of M. montana sp. nov. from northern Thailand in having a similar palpal morphology; they can be distinguished by the more elongated lateral ramus of the embolus almost touching the conductor, the broader mesal ramus, the triangular apico-retrolateral fold of the TA pointing mesad, situated next to transverse mesal ridge (Figs 1239, 1244). It appears to be sufficiently distinct from males of M. montana sp. nov. to warrant its species status.

Etymology. The specific epithet is a name of a man in genitive case in honor of Professor Dr. Shuqiang Li, Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing.

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 8.80; prosoma 4.20 long, 3.50 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.28, ALE 0.22, PME 0.22, PLE 0.22, AME–AME 0.20, AME–ALE 0.48, PME–PME 0.24, PME–PLE 0.40; MOQ: 0.60 long, 0.62 anterior width, 0.60 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 16.96 (4.06, 5.32, 4.26, 3.30), II 14.06 (3.54, 4.42, 3.52, 2.54), III 14.14 (3.72, 4.26, 3.80, 2.36), IV 19.54 (4.72, 5.76, 6.10, 2.94).

Coloration. Carapace dark chestnut-brown. Sternum brown. Legs bi-colored: yellowish, except for proximal part of femora and patellae dark greenish. Dorsum of opisthosoma dark sepia. Dorsal pattern: first pair represented by pale rhomboidal spots; second pair by broad curved bands; third and fourth pairs by thinner transverse band.

Palp (Figs 1239–1246). RTA digitiform, broad at base, gradually tapered towards distally rounded apex. TA carrying bifid apical process, sharply pointed inner branch longer than outer one; apico-retrolateral fold triangular, directed ectad, situated closed to elevated mesal ridge; baso-prolateral tooth blunt. Embolic base in transverse direction, anterior membrane triangular. Embolus relatively broad, dividing subterminally, lateral ramus gently curved, gradually tapered towards apex and directed anteriad; mesal ramus with blade-like extremity.

Female. Unknown.

Distribution. Shaanxi Province, China.