Mallinella apiculata, 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 : 146-148

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.3369.1.1
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5254235
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/933EDA4C-B9B4-FF0E-CBC2-FBA9FBEE3F58
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Mallinella apiculata
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Mallinella apiculata View in CoL sp. nov.

( Figs 606–607 View FIGURES 604–607. 604 , 612–614 View FIGURES 612–614. 612 , 620 View FIGURES 615–624. 615 , 627 View FIGURES 625–633. 625 , 656–663 View FIGURES 656–663. 656–660 )

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, MALAYSIA, Pahang State: Gunung Arong (02°33'12.1"N, 103°45'20.5"E), 20 m, rainforest, 15 km north of Mersing , 29–30 May 2004, leg. P.J. Schwendinger ( MHNG, MAL –04/06) GoogleMaps . Paratypes: 1♂, 2♀, same data as holotype ( MHNG, MAL –04/06) GoogleMaps .

Diagnosis. Males of M. apiculata sp. nov. are easily recognized by the peculiar apical process on the TA, in combination with a broad, terminally widened apico-prolateral process and a pronounced triangular meso-retrolateral fold ( Fig. 656 View FIGURES 656–663. 656–660 ). Females can be distinguished by the enlarged spermathecae ( Fig. 627 View FIGURES 625–633. 625 ).

Etymology. The specific epithet ‘ apiculata’ is an adjective meaning ‘provided with a small apex’ (apiculus = small apex) and refers to the conspicuous apical process on the TA of the male palp.

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 6.80; prosoma 4.22 long, 2.60 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.32, ALE 0.22, PME 0.22, PLE 0.22, AME–AME 0.16, AME–ALE 0.22, PME–PME 0.20, PME–PLE 0.46; MOQ: 0.60 long, 0.54 anterior width, 0.52 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 15.82 (3.82, 4.81, 4.46, 2.70), II 15.06 (3.58, 4.08, 3.78, 3.56), III 13.26 (3.36, 3.86, 3.88, 2.14), IV 17.78 (3.90, 5.22, 5.74, 2.78).

Coloration ( Figs 606 View FIGURES 604–607. 604 , 614 View FIGURES 612–614. 612 ). Carapace dark chestnut-brown. Sternum reddish brown. Chelicerae dark brown. Legs yellowish orange. Opisthosoma without pattern; back ground creamy white.

Palp ( Figs 656–660 View FIGURES 656–663. 656–660 ). Retrolateral side of palpal tibia slightly elevated, blunt terminally. RTA digitiform, gradually tapered towards round apex. TA longer than wide; apical tooth directed anteriad; apico-prolateral process triangular, broad distally; meso-retrolateral fold triangular, broad at base, directed mesad; baso-prolateral ridge visible in lateral view, imperceptible in ventral view. Tegular spine present. Embolic base in a transverse direction; anterior membranous area broad, triangular. Embolus with longitudinal groove, mesal ridge with semi-transparent median elevation.

Female (paratype). Total length 6.00; prosoma 3.62 long, 2.38 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.30, ALE 0.22, PME 0.20, PLE 0.22, AME–AME 0.12, AME–ALE 0.20, PME–PME 0.18, PME–PLE 0.40; MOQ: 0.58 long, 0.56 anterior width, 0.50 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 15.05 (3.64, 4.58, 4.23, 2.58), II 14.31 (3.40, 3.88, 3.60, 3.40), III 12.61 (3.20, 3.66, 3.68, 2.02), IV 16.90 (3.72, 4.96, 5.56, 2.64).

Coloration ( Fig. 607 View FIGURES 604–607. 604 ). Carapace reddish brown. Sternum and chelicerae brown. Legs yellowish. Opisthosoma sepia; dorsum without distinct dorsal pattern: cardiac area with longitudinal pale band, followed by disconnected spots.

Genitalia ( Figs 620 View FIGURES 615–624. 615 , 627 View FIGURES 625–633. 625 , 661–663 View FIGURES 656–663. 656–660 ). Epigynal plate broad, anteriorly with V-shaped median incision, posteriorly slightly elevated. Spermathecae truncated, widened apically, margins excavated on mesolateral side.

Natural history. Mallinella apiculata sp. nov. was collected by means of sifting humus and organic material in a lowland evergreen rainforest.

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