Mallinella murphyorum, 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 : 217

Mallinella murphyorum sp. nov.

( Figs 979–983 )

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, MALAYSIA, Johor State: Layang–Layang , June 1979, leg. F. & J. Murphy ( FJMC, coll. 7766).

Diagnosis. This new species can be recognized by the filiform embolus carrying a minute, transparent apical flange ( Fig. 979 ).

Etymology. The specific epithet is a patronym named after Frances and John Murphy for their pioneer work in the field of arachnology of Southeast Asia; name in genitive case, and plural form.

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 7.85; prosoma 4.80 long, 3.45 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.30, ALE 0.22, PME 0.20, PLE 0.20, AME–AME 0.16, AME–ALE 0.38, PME–PME 0.26, PME–PLE 0.52; MOQ: 0.60 long, 0.56 anterior width, 0.52 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 17.98 (4.30, 5.64, 4.50, 3.50), II 14.90 (3.76, 4.68, 3.74, 2.74), III 15.00 (3.94, 4.50, 4.02, 2.52), IV 20.72 (5.00, 6.10, 6.48, 3.12).

Coloration. Carapace and chelicerae dark chestnut-brown. Sternum brown. Legs orange-brown. Dorsum of opisthosoma dark brown. Dorsal pattern: paired anterior reniform patches followed by two pairs of round spots and transverse median band.

Palp ( Figs 979–983 ). RTA digitiform, gradually tapering anteriorly, apex sharply pointed. TA rostrated; apicoprolateral fold triangular; apico-prolateral process distinctly broad at base, apex sharply pointed, directed mesad; basal tooth distally blunt. Embolic base aligned in transverse direction, with convex anterior margin and straight posterior margin; membranous area tapered. Embolus filiform, carrying triangular, semi-transparent apical flange.

Female. Unknown.

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

Figures

FIGURES 975–983. 975–978. Mallinella sumatrana sp. nov., holotype. 979–983. M murphyorum sp. nov., holotype. 975, 979. Male palp, ventral. 976, 980. TA, prolateral. 978, 983. Ditto, retrolateral. 977, 981. Ditto, ventral. 982. Apex of embolus, prolateral.