Milema Zhao & Li, 2022

Lin, Yejie, Zhao, Huifeng, Koh, Joseph K H & Li, Shuqiang, 2022, Taxonomy notes on twenty-eight spider species (Arachnida: Araneae) from Asia, Zoological Systematics 47 (3), pp. 198-270 : 245

Milema Zhao & Li , gen. nov.

Type species. Milema nuichua Zhao & Li , sp. nov.

Diagnosis. This genus can be distinguished from Telema by the following characters: the ratio of the length of embolus/carapace 0.25–0.30 (vs. 0.50–0.65), the presence of a prolateral cymbial apophysis (vs. absence), belt-shaped tibial glands (vs. plate-shaped), the ratio of the length of embolus/bulb 0.38–1.10 (vs. smaller than 0.32); spermatheca sac-like or globular (vs. cane shaped).

Description. Total length 0.90–1.15 in male, 0.95–1.20 in female. Carapace 0.40–0.51 long, Carapace pear shaped, pale or dark brown. Six eyes encircled by black or absent. Tibia I 0.52–0.94. Leg formula 1243, leg glands belt shaped. Abdomen blue or for males, bulb small relative to carapace, the length ratio of bulb/carapace 0.25–0.30. Length of cymbium> femur> tibia> patella; cymbial apophysis present prolaterally.

Distribution. Southern Vietnam and Southern Thailand.

Etymology. The generic name is a combination of the first two letters of millet (referring to the small size) and the latter four letters of Telema (type genus of the family); feminine in gender.

Species included. Milema lorkor Zhao & Li , sp. nov., Milema nuichua Zhao & Li , sp. nov. and Milema sai Zhao & Li , sp. nov.

Biology. Habitats of this genus are diverse. The type species, M. nuichua Zhao & Li , sp. nov. inhabits leaf litter; M. sai Zhao & Li , sp. nov. is found at cave entrances; and M. lorkor Zhao & Li , sp. nov. is found deep in caves. These spiders have particular morphological characters adapting to their diverse habitats.