Phintella caledoniensis

Phintella lajuma was first identified in 2009 by Barbara Patoleta.[1] The species is named after the island where it was first found.[2] The genus Phintella was raised in 1906 by Embrik Strand and W. Bösenberg. The genus name derives from the genus Phintia, which it resembles.[3] The genus Phintia was itself renamed Phintodes, which was subsequently absorbed into Tylogonus.[4] There are similarities between spiders within genus Phintella and those in Chira, Chrysilla, Euophrys, Icius, Jotus and Telamonia.[5] Genetic analysis confirms that it is related to the genera Helvetia and Menemerus and is classified in the tribe Chrysillini.[6][7]

The spider is medium-sized, with shape that is typical of the genus, with a broad cephalothorax with flat sides that is wider than the abdomen. It is most similar to Phintella volupe, found in Sri Lanka, but can be distinguished by its copulatory organs.[2][8] The female of the species has a dark brown cephalothorax, with white patches.[9] It has a grey oval abdomen and spinnerets that are also grey. The clypeus and chelicerae are brown.[10] The spider is small, with a abdomen that is 2.49 mm (0.098 in) long and 1.46 mm (0.057 in) wide while the cephalothorax is 2.34 mm (0.092 in) in length and 1.68 mm (0.066 in) across.[11] The female has a distinctive bean-shaped spermathecae.[2]

The male is slightly lighter in colour and larger than the female, and the male's abdomen and spinnerets are grey-brown.[2] The abdomen is 2.44 mm (0.096 in) long and 1.17 mm (0.046 in) wide and the cephalothorax 2.45 mm (0.096 in) long and 1.66 mm (0.065 in) wide.[10] The pedipalps are light brown and the embolus is long and thin.[9]

Phintella caledonia has only been discovered in the rainforest around Mont Panié on New Caldonia.[1][11]