Mallinella leptoclada, 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 : 154-156

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.11646/zootaxa.3369.1.1
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/933EDA4C-B9BC-FF06-CBC2-F9C3FDDE3A54
treatment provided by	Felipe
scientific name	Mallinella leptoclada
status	sp. nov.

Treatment

Mallinella leptoclada View in CoL sp. nov.

( Figs 623 View FIGURES 615–624. 615 , 630 View FIGURES 625–633. 625 , 672–674 View FIGURES 672–678. 672–674 , 682–685 View FIGURES 679–685. 679–681 )

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, MALAYSIA, Terengganu State: Lake Kenyir, 5 km southwest of dam, 50 km southwest of Kuala Terengganu (04°58'N, 10249'E), 300–400 m, 17 July 2001, leg. A. Schulz & K. Vock ( MHNG, M01–171 View Materials ) . Paratype: Pahang State: 1♀, Genting , July 1979, leg. F. & J. Murphy ( FJMC, coll.15308) ; 2♀, Genting , January 1991, leg. F. & J. Murphy ( FJMC, coll. 18937) ; 1♂, Belum Exp., Ridge trail, 12 February 1994 ( JFMC, coll. 23658) .

Diagnosis. Males of this new species are recognized by the thin and slender apico-prolateral process as well as the thin, and slender apico-prolateral fold and meso-prolateral ridge on the TA of the palp ( Fig. 672 View FIGURES 672–678. 672–674 ). Females can be distinguished by the very elongated spermathecae strongly curved backwards ( Figs 630 View FIGURES 625–633. 625 , 683 View FIGURES 679–685. 679–681 ).

Etymology. The specific epithet derives from the Greek λƐπτOς (= thin; adjective) and κλαδος (= branch; noun), referring to the thin processes on the TA of the male palp.

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 6.02; prosoma 3.66 long, 2.40 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.30, ALE 0.20, PME 0.20, PLE 0.20, AME–AME 0.10, AME–ALE 0.20, PME–PME 0.16, PME–PLE 0.38; MOQ: 0.54 long, 0.52 anterior width, 0.50 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 15.00 (3.62, 4.56, 4.22, 2.58), II 14.26 (3.39, 3.87, 3.59, 3.39), III 12.56 (3.19, 3.65, 3.66, 2.03), IV 16.84 (3.70, 4.94, 5.54, 2.62).

Coloration. Carapace crown. Chelicerae brown. Sternum orange–brown. Legs yellowish. Dorsum of opisthosoma dark brown, without distinct pattern.

Palp ( Figs 672–674 View FIGURES 672–678. 672–674 ). Retrolateral side of palpal tibia bluntly pointed. RTA digitiform, gradually tapered towards round apex. TA with elongated apico-prolateral fold; apico-prolateral process curved anteriorly; meso-prolateral fold triangular, directed mesad, apex sharply pointed. Embolic base strongly excavated posteriorly; anterior membranous area narrowed. Embolus bifurcated, branching subterminally; mesal ramus longer than lateral ramus.

Female (paratype). Total length 6.18; prosoma 3.80 long, 2.44 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.30, ALE 0.22, PME 0.22, PLE 0.22, AME–AME 0.12, AME–ALE 0.20, PME–PME 0.16, PME–PLE 0.36; MOQ: 0.52 long, 0.48 anterior width, 0.44 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 15.56 (3.76, 4.72, 4.38, 2.66), II 14.80 (3.52, 4.02, 3.72, 3.52), III 13.04 (3.32, 3.78, 3.80, 2.10), IV 17.48 (3.85, 5.12, 5.76, 2.72).

Coloration. Carapace brown. Chelicerae brown. Sternum yellowish brown. Legs yellowish, except for coxae pale yellowish. Dorsum of opisthosoma bright sepia. Dorsal pattern: provided with disconnected longitudinal band of pale color.

Genitalia ( Figs 623 View FIGURES 615–624. 615 , 630 View FIGURES 625–633. 625 , 682–685 View FIGURES 679–685. 679–681 ). Epigynal plate with broad anterior median incision, lateral lobes pronounced, posterior margin straight. Lateral borders parallel. Spermathecae distinctly elongated, strongly constricted mesolaterally, subterminally abruptly bent posteriorly.

Natural history. The holotype was collected by sifting humus and organic material on the floor of an evergreen forest; females were collected from evergreen hill forests at high altitude.

Distribution. Peninsular Malay.