Mallinella flagelliformis, 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 : 248-249

Mallinella flagelliformis sp. nov.

(Figs 1128–1131)

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, MALAYSIA, Borneo, Sabah State: West Coast Residency, Mt. Kinabalu, Liwagu Trail , 1500 m, Liwagu Trail, Section 2, piège à interception, 30 April 1987, leg. D. Burckhardt & I. Löbl ( MHNG, 9c) . Paratypes: 1♂, same data as holotype ( MHNG) .

Diagnosis. The male of M. flagelliformis sp. nov. can be distinguished by the long, slender filiform embolus, in combination with the sharply pointed mesal fold on the TA (Fig. 1128).

Etymology. The specific epithet, flagelliformis = (whip shaped), an adjective, is derived from the Latin flagellum (= whip).

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 8.65; prosoma 4.40 long, 3.70 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.32, ALE 0.22, PME 0.20, PLE 0.22, AME–AME 0.30, AME–ALE 0.58, PME–PME 0.20, PME–PLE 0.70; MOQ: 0.68 long, 0.70 anterior width, 0.62 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 16.58 (3.98, 5.20, 4.16, 3.22), II 13.76 (3.42, 4.32, 3.44, 2.48), III 13.84 (3.62, 4.16, 3.72, 2.30), IV 19.12 (4.62, 5.62, 5.96, 2.88).

Coloration. The type is severely damaged; only carapace and sclerotized part remain.

Palp (Figs 1128–1131). Retrolateral side of palpal tibia elevated, subtriangular, apex directed retrolaterad. RTA digitiform, apex blunt. Cymbial fold broad, occupying 1/3 of cymbial length. TA elongated; apical ridge broad, flange-liked, visible only in lateral view; apico-prolateral process bifid, sharply pointed; mesal fold triangular, directed mesad; baso-retrolateral tooth sharply pointed, directed anteriad. Tegular spine absent. Embolic base aligned in transverse direction, anterior margin straight, posterior margin medially excavated. Embolus filiform, elongated.

Female. Unknown.

Natural history. Mallinella flagelliformis sp. nov. inhabits an evergreen hill forest at about 1,500 m asl where it co-occurs with M. comitata sp. nov.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality (at 1,500 m asl), the Mt. Kinabalu, northeastern Borneo.