Heliconilla globularis, 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 : 301-303

Heliconilla globularis sp. nov.

(Figs 1303–1304, 1314, 1317, 1357–1361)

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, THAILAND, Phuket Province: Ko Siray , 50 m (7º53'06.8"N, 98º26'13.6"E),

12 August 2000, sifting in old secondary forest, leg. P.J. Schwendinger ( MHNG, THMA –00/14). Paratypes: 1♂, same data as holotype. THAILAND, Phuket Province: 1♂, from the type locality, 30 m , 26 July 2002 ( MHNG, TH–02/11); 1♂ , 15 September 2000 ( MHNG, THMA –00/16); 2♀, from the type locality , 22–26 July 2002, leg. P. Schwendinger ( MHNG, TH–02/11); 1♀, from the type locality , 5 September 2004, leg. P. Schwendinger ( MHNG, TH–04/12). MALAYSIA, Kedah State: 1♂, Langkawi Island, near Datai Beach , northwest side, 50m (6°25’N, 99°48’E) , 2 September 2004, leg. A. Schulz ( MHNG, AS –04/22); 1♀, near Beringin Beach Resort , 10 m , litter, forest edge, 21 November 2001, leg. I. Löbl ( MHNG). SINGAPORE: 1♀, Bukit Timah Nature Reserve , 100 m (1°23’N, 103°47’E) , 16 August 2004, leg. A. Schulz ( MHNG, AS –04/02) .

Diagnosis. Males of H. globularis sp. nov. are very similar to those of H. irrorata comb. nov. and H. aculeata sp. nov. in having a broad, blade-like embolus furnished with a proximal accessory process; they can be distinguished by the shape of the process and by the transparent ridge running along the entire embolus (Figs 1317, 1357). Females are characterized by the distinctly swollen, cone-shaped spermathecae (Fig. 1314).

Etymology. The specific epithet is the adjective of the Latin noun (globus = ball, sphere) and refers to the distally convoluted part of the female spermathecae.

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 8.15; prosoma 4.02 long, 3.10 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.10, ALE 0.08, PME 0.06, PLE 0.06, AME–AME 0.04, AME–ALE 0.06, PME–PME 0.08, PME–PLE 0.18; MOQ: 0.24 long, 0.20 anterior width, 0.18 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 10.40 (2.80, 3.52, 2.16, 1.90), II 9.34 (2.54, 2.98, 2.16, 1.64), III 9.14 (2.52, 2.94, 2.16, 1.52), IV 12.62 (3.06, 3.70, 3.56, 2.30).

Coloration (Fig. 1303). Carapace dark chestnut-brown. Chelicerae dark brown. Sternum dark reddish brown. Legs bi-colored: coxae yellowish; all other segments brown.

Palp (Figs 1317, 1357). RTA broad at base, gradually tapered towards blunt apex. Cymbium with broad cymbial fold, reaching approximately 3/4 of its length. TA with broad apico-prolateral flange; baso-prolateral ridge slightly elevated, visible in ventral view. Embolic base aligned in transverse direction, anterior and posterior margin parallel; relatively narrow membranous area situated prolaterally. Embolus originating at 90°, broad, bladelike, provided with digitiform accessory process situated proximally.

Female (paratype). Total length 8.88; prosoma 4.35 long, 3.92 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.10, ALE 0.08, PME 0.06, PLE 0.06, AME–AME 0.04, AME–ALE 0.08, PME–PME 0.06, PME–PLE 0.16; MOQ: 0.22 long, 0.20 anterior width, 0.18 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 9.54 (2.64, 3.18, 1.98, 1.72), II 8.32 (1.98, 2.50, 2.24, 1.58), III 8.11 (2.38, 2.78, 1.72, 1.18), IV 11.78 (2.90, 3.44, 3.32, 2.10).

Coloration (Fig. 1304). Carapace dark brown. Chelicerae brown. Sternum reddish brown. Legs yellowish.

Genitalia (Figs 1314, 1358–1361). Epigynal plate quadrangular, anterior margin slightly excavated, posterior margin straight, distinctly shorter. Proximal part of spermathecae cylindrical, curved distally, provided with spherical swelling situated on lateral surface; distal part conical, distinctly enlarged, with strongly convoluted duct with four coils.

Natural history. Heliconilla globularis sp. nov. inhabits lowland rainforests.

Distribution. Southern Thailand, Peninsular Malay and Singapore.