Mallinella silva, 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 : 264-265

Mallinella silva sp. nov.

(Figs 1152, 1179, 1193–1194, 1224–1228)

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, THAILAND, Chiang Mai Province: Chom Thong District, Doi Inthanon NP, Doi Inthanon , mixed dipterocarp forest with pine, 1,000 m, pitfall trap, 26 January –23 February 2000, leg. P. Dankittipakul ( MHNG, TH–3C) . Paratypes: 1♀, same data as holotype ( MHNG TH–3C). THAILAND, Chiang Mai Province : 3♂, from the type locality, pitfall trap, 24 May –25 June 2000, leg. P. Dankittipakul ( MHNG TH–3B). Doi Inthanon , evergreen forest near NP headquarters, 1,300 m , 1♂, 22 May 1987 ( MHNG TH–3E) ; 1♂, pitfall trap, 1–8 July 2006, leg. P. Dankittipakul ( TNHM). Doi Inthanon , evergreen hill forest, 1,510 m , 1♂, pitfall trap, 23 April –25 May 2000; leg. P. Dankittipakul ( MHNG TH–3X). Doi Inthanon, Kew Mae Pan , moist evergreen hill forest, 2,100 m : 7♂, pitfall trap, 24 May –25 June 2000, leg. P. Dankittipakul ( MHNG, TH–3A) ; 8♂, pitfall trap, 28 April – 30 May 1987, leg. P.J. Schwendinger ( MHNG). Chiang Mai Province and District, Doi Suthep- Pui NP, Thum Ryssie , evergreen hill forest, 1,180 m , 2♂, pitfall trap, 30 March – 28 April 1987, leg. P.J. Schwendinger ( MHNG) ; 1♂, pitfall trap, 22 April – 7 June 1986, leg. P.J. Schwendinger ( MHNG TH–3D). Doi Pui , pine forest near the summit, 1,500 m , 1♀, 13 March 1998, leg. J. Martens ( SMF) .

Diagnosis. Males of M. silva sp. nov. are recognized by the bifid basal tooth on the TA (Fig. 1224). The shape of TA resembles that of M. kunmingensis Wang et al., 2009a but in the latter species the apico-retrolateral fold is not triangular but represented by three denticles. Females are similar to those of M. montana sp. nov. but can be distinguished from them by the V-shaped epigynal plate (Fig. 1179).

Etymology. The specific epithet is noun in apposition, Latin (silv a = woods, forest).

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 8.20; prosoma 4.20 long, 3.50 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.28, ALE 0.22, PME 0.22, PLE 0.22, AME–AME 0.20, AME–ALE 0.50, PME–PME 0.20, PME–PLE 0.40; MOQ: 0.62 long, 0.62 anterior width, 0.60 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 15.74 (3.78, 4.94, 3.94, 3.06), II 13.06 (3.28, 4.10, 3.28, 2.36), III 13.14 (3.44, 3.94, 3.54, 2.20), IV 18.14 (4.38, 5.34, 5.66, 2.74).

Coloration (Fig. 1193). Carapace reddish brown. Sternum brown. Legs bi-colored: generally yellowish, except for coxae, trochanters and proximal part of femora whitish. Dorsum of opisthosoma sepia. Dorsal pattern: first pair represented by pale round spots; second pair by curved bands almost connected medially; third pair by a disconnected transverse band; fourth and fifth pairs by a series of transverse bands.

Palp (Figs 1224–1228). RTA digitiform, broad at base, gradually tapered towards distally rounded apex. TA rostrated; apical process elongated, bifid, mesal branch longer and thinner than lateral one; apico-retrolateral fold triangular, directed anteriad in ventral view; basal tooth with two sharply pointed denticles. Tegular spine absent. Embolic base aligned in transverse direction, anterior margin straight, posterior margin strongly excavated; anterior membranous part enlarged, triangular. Embolus bifurcated, branching proximally, mesal ramus filiform, apex with semi-transparent triangular flange, lateral ramus broad, apically curved, slightly shorter than mesal ramus.

Female (paratype). Total length 8.25; prosoma 4.25 long, 3.60 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.26, ALE 0.22, PME 0.22, PLE 0.22, AME–AME 0.20, AME–ALE 0.30, PME–PME 0.20, PME–PLE 0.40; MOQ: 0.62 long, 0.60 anterior width, 0.62 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 15.86 (3.80, 4.98, 3.98, 3.08), II 13.16 (3.32, 4.14, 3.30, 2.36), III 13.24 (3.48, 3.98, 3.56, 2.20), IV 18.28 (4.42, 5.38, 5.70, 2.76).

Coloration (Fig. 1194). Carapace yellowish orange. Sternum brown. Legs yellowish, except for coxae, trochanters and proximal part of femora whitish. Dorsum of opisthosoma dark sepia, mottled with numerous pale spots. Dorsal pattern: first and second pairs represented by pale round spots; third to fifth pairs by a series of transverse bands.

Genitalia (Figs 1179, 1158, 1229–1230). Epigynal plate V-shaped, with deep anterior median incision. Lateral borders truncated, terminally bluntly pointed, directed inwards. Internal genitalia with cylindrical insemination ducts. Spermathecae subtriangular in dorsal view, apex strongly curved backwards.

Natural history. Mallinella silva sp. nov. inhabits various types of evergreen forests in the Doi Inthanon NP (1,000 –2,100 m asl) and the Doi Suthep-Pui NP (1,100 –1,500 m asl). Mallinella silva sp. nov. occurs syntopically with M. montana sp. nov.

Distribution. Northern Thailand.