Heliconilla mesopetala, 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 : 307-309

Heliconilla mesopetala sp. nov.

(Figs 1307–1308, 1313, 1316, 1320, 1377–1380)

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, THAILAND, Ranong Province: Ko Phayam , northern tip of island (9º46'N 98º24'E), 80–130 m, remnant of semi-evergreen rainforest, 29 June 2007, leg. P.J. Schwendinger ( MHNG, TH–07/

02). Paratypes: 5♂, 1♀, same data as holotype . BURMA, Taninthayi Division: 1 ♂, 1♀, Taninthayi Kyun (=Ko Son) (9º56'N 98º32'E), 60 m, old secondary forest, 4 July 2007, leg. P.J. Schwendinger ( MHNG, TH–07/04) .

Diagnosis. Males of this new species are similar to H. thaleri comb. nov. but can be separated by the mesal ramus of the embolus provided with a smaller apex and the unmodified apex of the lateral ramus (Figs 1377–1380 cf. 1335–1337). Females are most similar to those of H. aculeata sp. nov. but can be distinguished by the shape of the terminal part of the spermathecae with 3 large coils (Figs 1313 cf. 1312).

Etymology. The specific epithet is the latinized adjective of a Greek prefix (μƐσO– = middle) and a Greek noun (πƐταλον = leaf).

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 8.65; prosoma 4.30 long, 3.20 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 11.02 (2.98, 3.74, 2.28, 2.02), II 9.90 (2.70, 3.14, 2.28, 1.74), III 9.70 (2.68, 3.10, 2.28, 1.60), IV 13.40 (3.24, 3.92, 3.78, 2.44).

Coloration (Fig. 1307). Carapace dark chestnut-brown. Chelicerae dark brown. Sternum dark reddish brown. Coxae yellowish brown, other leg segments brown. Opisthosoma dark brown.

Palp (Figs 1320, 1377–1380). RTA broad at base, gradually tapered towards blunt apex. Cymbium with very broad cymbial fold, reaching approximately 3/4 of its length. TA broad at base, terminally sharply pointed. Embolic base rectangular, anterior membranous part narrowed, almost indistinct. Embolus originating at 180°, diverging proximally; mesal ramus with petal-shaped apex; lateral ramus subapically twisted, gradually tapered towards blunt apex.

Female (paratype). Total length 8.86; prosoma 4.40 long, 4.10 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.10, ALE 0.08, PME 0.06, PLE 0.06, AME–AME 0.04, AME–ALE 0.08, 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, 2.00, 1.72), II 8.32 (2.00, 2.50, 2.24, 1.58), III 8.10 (2.38, 2.78, 1.72, 1.20), IV 11.76 (2.90, 3.42, 3.30, 2.10).

Coloration (Fig. 1308). Carapace, chelicerae brown. Sternum reddish brown. Legs yellowish brown. Opisthosoma dark brown.

Genitalia (Figs 1313, 1381–1382). Epigynal plate rectangular, anterior margin slightly excavated, posterior margin shorter. Proximal part of spermathecae elongated, slightly curved, provided with spherical swelling on posterior surface; distal part digitiform, lateral margin parallel, internally with three coils.

Natural history. Heliconilla mesopetala sp. nov. inhabits small islands in the Andaman sea.

Distribution. Thailand and Burma.