(Figs 775–776, 786–789, 805–813)

Material examined. Holotype: ♂, THAILAND, Krabi Province: Raylay Beach, vers le lagon (00º29.435'N, 96º48.572'E) 70 m, forêt humide, 14 September 2001, leg. L. Monod (MHNG TM –07). Paratypes: THAILAND, Krabi Province: 1♀, Khao Phanom Bencha NP, near Huay To Waterfall (8º14'N, 98º55'E), rainforest, 220 m, 22 July 2005, leg. P.J. Schwendinger (MHNG, TH–05/10). Phuket Province: 2♀, east of Phuket City, Siray Islands (7º53'06.8"N, 98º26'13.6"E), old secondary forest, 50 m, 12 August 2000, leg. P.J. Schwendinger (MHNG THMA –00/14, TH14X); 1♀, east of Phuket City, Siray Island (7º53'06.8"N, 98º26'13.6"E), 30 m, secondary forest, 20 July 2007, leg. P.J. Schwendinger (MHNG, TH–07/12, Th AX 915); 1♀, Phuket Island, 50–100 m, 22–27 September 1997, leg. P.J. Schwendinger (TNHM, MHNG, Th 19). Narathiwat Province: 1♀, Bala Hala Wildlife Sanctuary; 8 January 1999, leg. P.J. Schwendinger (MGNG, TH14 z).

Diagnosis. Males of M. scapigera sp. nov. are recognized by the presence of a broad, triangular apico-prolateral flange and an apical ridge on the TA, in combination with a bifurcated embolus (Fig. 805). Females are closely similar to that of M. spiralis sp. nov. but can be distinguished by the median scape on the bi-lobed epigynal plate (Figs 786, 788 cf. 790).

Etymology. The specific epithet is derived from Latin (scapus = blade-like) and refers to the presence of a median scape on the epigynal plate.

Description. Male (holotype). Total length 6.46; prosoma 3.97 long, 2.50 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.32, ALE 0.22, PME 0.18, PLE 0.22, AME–AME 0.12, AME–ALE 0.30, PME–PME 0.20, PME–PLE 0.42; MOQ: 0.60 long, 0.50 anterior width, 0.48 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 16.26 (3.92, 4.94, 4.56, 2.80), II 14.33 (3.68, 4.20, 3.88, 2.54), III 13.62 (3.46, 3.96, 3.98, 2.20), IV 18.27 (3.02, 5.36, 6.00, 2.84).

Coloration (Fig. 775). Carapace dark reddish brown. Chelicerae brown. Sternum orange-brown. Legs yellowish. Dorsum of opisthosoma sepia. Dorsal pattern: first and second pairs forming broken 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 805–808). Retrolateral margin of palpal tibia strongly elevated, terminally pointed. RTA broad at base, gradually tapered towards bluntly pointed apex. TA rostrated, apical ridge thin, curving backwards; apicoprolateral flange broad, triangular; baso-retrolateral tooth pointed anteriad, in ventral view blunt. Embolic base aligned in transverse direction; anterior membranous area narrowed, irregular shaped. Embolus linear, broader at base, branching subterminally, lateral ramus short, triangular; mesal ramus lanceolate, longer than lateral one.

Female (paratype). Total length 6.65; prosoma 4.08 long, 2.58 wide. Eye sizes and interdistances: AME 0.30, ALE 0.22, PME 0.18, PLE 0.22, AME–AME 0.11, AME–ALE 0.32, PME–PME 0.18, PME–PLE 0.46; MOQ: 0.62 long, 0.52 anterior width, 0.46 posterior width. Leg measurements: I 16.69 (4.02, 5.08, 4.69, 2.86), II 14.72 (3.78, 4.32, 4.00, 2.60), III 13.98 (3.56, 4.06, 4.08, 2.26), IV 18.74 (4.12, 5.50, 6.18, 2.92).

Coloration (Fig. 776). Carapace dark brown. Chelicerae brown. Sternum orange-brown. Legs yellowish, except for coxae yellowish white. 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 obliquely arranged, medially with three small irregular patches running longitudinally in between.

Genitalia (Figs 786–789, 809–813). Epigynal plate excavated medially on both anterior and posterior margins, provided with small semi-circular scapus. Spermathecae heavily sclerotized, distal part cylindrical in anterior view.

Natural history. Mallinella scapigera sp. nov. inhabits semi-evergreen lowland rainforests.

Distribution. Southern Thailand.