Mallinella comitata, 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 : 243-247

Mallinella comitata sp. nov.

(Figs 1099, 1111, 1121–1127)

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, MALAYSIA, Borneo, Sabah State: West Coast Residency, Mt. Kinabalu , Liwagu Trail , 1,500 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). MALAYSIA, Borneo, Sabah State : 1♂, Mt. Kinabalu , park headquarters, 1,500 m, 8–16 May 1987, leg. A. Smetana ( MHNG) .

Diagnosis. Males can be identified by the sharp meso-prolateral tooth situated posterior to a median ridge on the TA; the embolus is provided with round apical and semi-transparent subterminal flange (Fig. 1121). Females are similar to those of M. flabellata sp. nov. in having similar shape of the epigynal plate (Figs 1110 cf. 1111) but the apex of spermathecae is triangular and strongly curved backwards (Fig. 1126).

Etymology. The specific epithet, comitata , is the Latin past participle of comitari (= to accompany) and refers to an additional meso-prolateral tooth on the TA of the male palp.

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 6.20; prosoma 3.22 long, 2.50 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.30, ALE 0.22, PME 0.22, PLE 0.22, AME–AME 0.24, AME–ALE 0.58, PME–PME 0.20, PME–PLE 0.60; MOQ: 0.62 long, 0.68 anterior width, 0.58 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 11.92 (2.86, 3.74, 3.00, 2.32), II 9.89 (2.48, 3.10, 2.48, 1.78), III 9.96 (2.62, 3.00, 2.64, 1.66), IV 13.72 (3.32, 4.05, 4.29, 2.08).

Coloration (Fig. 1099). Carapace bi-colored: anteriorly orange-brown, posteriorly yellowish brown. Legs yellowish. Dorsum of opisthosoma pale brown; background mottled with numerous minute pale spots. Dorsal pattern: first and second pairs represented by round spots; third and fourth pairs by pale chevrons.

Palp (Figs 1121–1124). Retrolateral margin of palpal tibia strongly pronounced. RTA digitiform, broad at base, gradually tapered towards bluntly pointed apex. Cymbial fold broad, occupying less than half of cymbial length. TA rostrated; apical tooth quadrangular, minute, directed anteriad in ventral view; apico-prolateral process bifid, sharply pointed, directed mesad; meso-prolateral tooth sharply pointed, situated posterior to triangular median ridge; baso-retrolateral tooth minute, indistinct in ventral view. Tegular spine absent. Embolic base triangular, align in transverse direction; membranous area broad, triangular. Embolus slender, provided with semi-transparent subterminal and round apical flanges.

Female (paratype). Total length 8.00; prosoma 4.10 long, 3.05 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.28, ALE 0.22, PME 0.20, PLE 0.22, AME–AME 0.24, AME–ALE 0.50, PME–PME 0.20, PME–PLE 0.52; MOQ: 0.60 long, 0.60 anterior width, 0.56 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 15.40 (3.68, 4.82, 3.86, 3.00), II 12.76 (3.22, 4.02, 3.20, 2.30), III 12.84 (3.36, 3.86, 3.44, 2.14), IV 17.74 (4.29, 5.22, 5.54, 2.68).

Coloration. As in males.

Genitalia (Figs 1111, 1125–1127). Epigynal plate represented by elevated transverse band, with broad anterior median incision. Lateral borders more or less parallel. Spermathecae short and stout, apex strongly bent posteriorly, lateral margins strongly excavated medially.

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

Distribution. Known only from the type locality, Mt. Kinabalu in northeastern Borneo.