Mallinella spiralis Dankittipakul & Jocqué & Singtripop 2012, sp. nov.

Mallinella spiralis sp. nov.

(Figs 773–774, 782–785, 790–791, 814–822)

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, THAILAND, Nakhon Sri Thammarat Province: Tha Sala District, Khao Nan NP, pitfall trap, 14–15 July 2005, leg. P. Dankittipakul (MHNG). Paratypes: 1♂, same data as holotype (TNHM); 1♀, from type locality, little sample, 15 April 2005, leg. P. Dankittipakul (TNHM). THAILAND, Nakhon Sri Thammarat Province: 2♀, Khao Nan NP, Hong Cave (8º44'00.3''N, 99º38'09.2''E), 120 m, above cave entrance, limestone, 28 August 2004, leg. P.J. Schwendinger (MHNG TH–04/06, TH14AW).

Diagnosis. Males can be confused with those of M. scapigera sp. nov. in having similar shape of TA but can be distinguished by the twisted apex of embolus (Figs 817–818). Females are difficult to distinguish although they lack a median scapus and the lateral lobes on the epigynal plate situated close together (Figs 790 cf. 788). No significant differences were detected between their internal genitalia. Much larger samples would be needed to corroborate these slight differences as species-specific rather than individual variation

Etymology. The specific epithet refers to the terminally twisted embolus of the male palp.

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 7.00; prosoma 4.30 long, 2.70 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.32, ALE 0.22, PME 0.18, PLE 0.22, AME–AME 0.10, AME–ALE 0.32, PME–PME 0.24, PME–PLE 0.46; MOQ: 0.62 long, 0.54 anterior width, 0.50 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 17.55 (4.22, 5.34, 4.96, 3.02), II 15.48 (3.98, 4.52, 4.20, 2.76), III 14.70 (3.74, 4.28, 4.30, 2.36), IV 19.70 (4.34, 5.78, 6.50, 3.08).

Coloration (Figs 773, 782–783). Carapace dark reddish brown. Chelicerae brown. Sternum orange-brown. Legs yellowish. Dorsum of opisthosoma dark brown. Dorsal pattern: first and second pairs forming reniform patches situated anteriorly; third to sixth pairs represented by four pairs of pale round patches, medially with three small irregular patches running longitudinally in between.

Palp (Figs 814–818). RTA distinctly broad at base, gradually tapered towards bluntly pointed apex. TA rostrated, anterior margin medially excavated, with apical ridge curved downwards; blunt apico-prolateral process, directed posteromesad; baso-retrolateral ridge elevated. Embolic base directed anteromesad; anterior membranous part broad, triangular. Embolus linear, broader at base, tapered towards apex; with median longitudinal groove starting proximally, bifurcated, branching subterminally; lateral ramus with semi-circular apical flange; mesal ramus spiralled, longer than lateral one.

Female (paratype). Total length 7.43; prosoma 4.57 long, 2.70 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.30, ALE 0.22, PME 0.18, PLE 0.22, AME–AME 0.12, AME–ALE 0.34, PME–PME 0.20, PME–PLE 0.48; MOQ: 0.64 long, 0.48 anterior width, 0.44 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 18.70 (4.52, 5.68, 5.26, 3.22), II 14.48 (4.22, 4.82, 4.88, 2.92), III 15.66 (3.98, 4.56, 4.58, 2.52), IV 20.02 (4.52, 6.16, 6.92, 3.28).

Coloration (Fig. 774). Carapace dark brown. Chelicerae brown. Sternum orange-brown. Legs yellowish, except for coxae yellowish white. Dorsum of opisthosoma dark sepia. Dorsal pattern: first and second pairs forming reniform patches situated anteriorly; third to sixth pairs represented by four pairs of pale round patches obliquely arranged, medially with three small irregular patches running longitudinally in between.

Genitalia (Figs 790–791, 819–822). Epigynal plate bi-lobed, with deep anterior median and posterior median incision. Spermathecae broadest proximally, distal part cylindrical, apex rounded.

Natural history. Mallinella spiralis sp. nov. inhabits lowland secondary rainforest.

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