Mallinella glomerata, 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 : 258-259

Mallinella glomerata sp. nov.

(Figs 1197, 1112, 1203–1209)

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, THAILAND, Nan Province: Pua District, Doi Phu Kha NP, Doi Phu Kha , evergreen hill forest, 1,700 m, 6 October 1991, leg. P.J. Schwendinger ( MHNG, TH–10) . Paratypes: THAILAND ,

Nan Province: 1♂, 2♀, Pua District , Doi Phu Kha NP, 24 May 2002, leg. P. Dankittipakul ( MHNG, TH–10; TNHM) .

Diagnosis. Males of M. glomerata sp. nov. are very similar to those of M. nilgherina comb. nov., but can be distinguished by the apico-retrolateral fold of the TA anteriorly pointed, and by the bifid embolus (Fig. 1203). Females are most similar to those of M. stenotheca comb. nov. but can be distinguished by the spermathecae which are globular (Figs 1208–1209) instead of triangular.

Etymology. The specific epithet is the past participle of the Latin verb glomerare (= to gather into a ball, to roll up).

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 8.18; prosoma 4.20 long, 3.15 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.32, ALE 0.22, PME 0.22, PLE 0.22, AME–AME 0.20, AME–ALE 0.48, PME–PME 0.22, PME–PLE 0.54; MOQ: 0.60 long, 0.58 anterior width, 0.52 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 15.77 (3.78, 4.95, 3.96, 3.06), II 13.08 (3.30, 4.10, 3.28, 2.26), III 13.16 (3.44, 3.96, 3.52, 2.20), IV 18.16 (4.38, 5.34, 5.66, 2.74).

Coloration (Fig. 1197). Carapace orange-brown. Sternum yellowish brown. Chelicerae brown. Legs yellowish. Dorsum of opisthosoma sepia. Dorsal pattern: first and second pairs represented by clearly separated pale, round spots, second pair larger; third pair by broad medially disconnected bands; fourth pair by thin transverse band.

Palp (Figs 1203–1207). RTA digitiform, distinctly broad at base, distally blunt. TA rostrated; apical process bifid; apico-retrolateral fold triangular, sharply pointed, directed anteriad; baso-prolateral tooth, triangular, prominent. Tegular spine absent. Embolic base aligned in transverse direction; anterior margin straight, posterior margin medially excavated. Embolus linear, bifurcated, branching subterminally; mesal ramus with lanceolate extremity; lateral ramus shorter, apex abruptly bent ectad, with triangular semi-transparent flange,.

Female (paratype). Total length 8.08; prosoma 4.15 long, 3.20 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.28, ALE 0.22, PME 0.22, PLE 0.22, AME–AME 0.20, AME–ALE 0.52, PME–PME 0.20, PME–PLE 0.58; MOQ: 0.60 long, 0.60 anterior width, 0.70 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 15.52 (3.72, 4.86, 3.90, 3.02), II 12.88 (3.24, 4.04, 3.22, 2.34), III 12.96 (3.40, 3.90, 3.48, 2.16), IV 17.90 (4.32, 5.26, 5.58, 2.70).

Coloration. Carapace yellowish orange. Legs pale yellowish. Dorsum of opisthosoma sepia. Dorsal pattern: first and second pairs represented by clearly separated pale, oval spots; first pair largest, obliquely arranged; third and fourth pairs short transverse bands.

Genitalia (Figs 1112, 1208–1209). Epigynal plate with broad anterior incision, and elevated lateral lobes. Lateral borders triangular, bluntly pointed. Internal genitalia provided with elongated and tubular insemination ducts. Spermathecae spherical.

Natural history. Mallinella glomerata sp. nov. was collected from a remnant patch of evergreen hill forests near the summit of Doi Phu Ka.

Distribution. Known only from the type locality in northern Thailand.