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Malacopalla sydneyensis
- Kingdom
- Papyrae
- Division
- Chartoniphyta
- Class
- Occlupanopsida
- Order
- Ephemerodectales
- Family
- Tridentaceae
- Genus
- Malacopalla
- Species
- M. sydneyensis
- External morphology
Semi-glossy surface. Large lateral palps. Size 21.6 mm x 25 mm.
This paper-pulp occlupanopsid was first recorded on a University campus in Belgium by FORC scholar Hilja. It has of 2024 been also observed at length in Sydney, Australia. All specimens were found on various bags of soft rolls. It is a definite mimic of globe-trotting tridentid Sphaeropanis hollandium. Of the specimens sent to HORG, the one chosen as our holotype displays a curious patina coloration, most likely due to exposure to the sunlight and water. This “hypercolour” phenomenon has also been recorded in other Occlupanopsid species by science-artisan S. Nottingham. It is possible that for many occlupanopsids, mimicry extends to hue-changing crypsis. Specimen and observational data provided by occlupanologist Kurisu.