Paraparatrechina ocellatula LaPolla and Fisher

Lapolla, John S., Cheng, Chiu H. & Fisher, Brian L., 2010, Taxonomic revision of the ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) genus Paraparatrechina in the Afrotropical and Malagasy Regions, Zootaxa 2387, pp. 1-27 : 22-23

Paraparatrechina ocellatula LaPolla and Fisher , sp. nov.

( Fig. 14 , 16 , 17 )

Holotype worker, MADAGASCAR: Prov. Antananarivo; R.S. Ivohibe; 6.5 km ESE Ivohibe; elev. 1575; 22°29.8’S, 46°57.3’E; 24–30.x.1997; (B.L. Fisher #1751) ( CASC); 8 paratypes, same locality as holotype ( CASC, USNM)

Worker diagnosis: Small eyes (REL <20); scapes with appressed pubescence.

Compare with: P. glabra and P. myops

WORKER. Measurements (n=56): TL: 1.42–2.1; HW: 0.39–0.48; HL: 0.43–0.6; EL: 0.06–0.09; SL: 0.43–0.55; PW: 0.25–0.33; WL: 0.45–0.6; PDH: 0.18–0.26; PrFL: 0.34–0.66; PrFW: 0.09–0.13; GL: 0.45– 0.95. Indices: CI: 77–91; REL: 11–15; SI: 102–128; FI: 18–33

Overall worker of P. ocellatula matches the description of P. myops with the following differences: 1) Overall measurements generally smaller, especially when considering morphometric comparisons (see above measurements and figures 16E); 2) scapes with appressed pubescence, compared with the more decumbent pubescence on the scapes of P. ocellatula ; 3) scapes surpass posterior margin by about the length of the first 2- 3 funicular segments.

Etymology. The species epithet is a Latin double diminutive, adjectival in form, for meaning very smalleyed, in reference to the small eyes found in this species.

Non-type material examined: MADAGASCAR: Prov. Antananarivo, 3 km 41° NE Andranomay, 11.5 km 1470 SSE Anjozorobe, 47° 58’ E, 18° 28’ S, 5–13.xii.2000, elev. 1300 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Antsiranana, R.S. Manongarivo, 14.5 km 220° SW Antanambao, 48° 25.7’ E, 13° 59.9’ S, 20.x.1998, elev. 1175 m (B.L. Fisher); Prov. Antsiranana, P.N. Marojejy, 27.6 km 35° NE Andapa, 49° 45.6’ E, 14° 26.1’ S, 15–18.xi.2003, elev. 775 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Antsiranana, P.N. Marojejy, 26.6 km 31° NNE Andapa, 49° 44.6’ E, 14° 26.2’ S, 18–21.xi.2003, elev. 1325 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Fianarantsoa, 2 km W Andrambovato, 47° 24.6’ E, 21° 30.7’ S, 3–5.vi.2005, elev. 1075 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Fianarantsoa, R.S. Ivohibe, 7.5 km ENE Ivohibe, 46° 57.6’ E, 22° 28.2’ S, 7–12.x.1997, elev. 900 m (B.L. Fisher); Prov. Fianarantsoa, R.S. Ivohibe, 8 km E Ivohibe, 46° 58.1’ E, 22° 29.0’ S, 15–21.x.1997, elev. 1200 m (B.L. Fisher); Prov. Fianarantsoa, R.S. Ivohibe, 6.5 km ESE Ivohibe, 46° 57.3’ E, 22° 29.8’ S, 24–30.x.1997, elev. 1575 m (B.L. Fisher); Prov. Fianarantsoa, 8 km NE Ivohibe, 46° 53.9’ E, 22° 25.3’ S, 3–9.xi.1997, elev. 1200 m (B.L. Fisher); Prov. Fianarantsoa, Vevembe, 47° 10.91’ E, 22° 47.46’ S, 23.iv.2006, elev. 600 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toamasina, For t Analamay, 19.1 km 51° NE, Moramanga, 48° 20.2’ E, 18° 48.3’ S, 19–23.iii.2004, elev. 1068 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toamasina, Foret Ambatovy, 14.3 km 57° NE Moramanga, 48° 12.2’ E, 18° 51.5’ S, 19–23.iii.2004, elev. 1075 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toamasina, F.C. Andriantantely, 48° 48.8’ E, 18° 41.7’ S, 4–7.xii.1998, elev. 530 m (H.J. Ratsirarson); Prov. Toamasina, F.C. Didy, 48° 34.7’ E, 18° 11.9’ S, 16– 23.xii.1998, elev. 960 m (H.J. Ratsirarson); Prov. Toamasina, F.C. Sandranantitra, 49° 5.5’ E, 18° 2.9’ S, 18– 21.i.1999, elev. 450 m (H.J. Ratsirarson); Prov. Toamasina, Mahavelone (Foulpointe), 49° 30.0’ E, 17° 40.0’ S, 25.xii.1993 (A. Pauly); Prov. Toamasina, P.N. Mantadia, 48° 25.6’ E, 18° 47.5’ S, 25–28.xi.1998, elev. 895 m (H.J. Ratsirarson); Prov. Toliara, P.N. Andohahela, 3.8 km 113° ESE Mahamavo, 46° 45’ E, 24° 46’ S, 21– 25.i.2002, elev. 900 m (Fisher et al.); 13 km NW Enakara, Res Andohahela, 46° 48’ E, 24° 33’ S, 30.xi.1992, elev. 1250 m (B.L. Fisher); 43 km S Ambalavao, Res. Andringitra, 47° 0’ E, 22° 14’ S, 10.x.1993, elev. 825 m (B.L. Fisher); 40 km S Ambalavao, Res. Andringitra, 46° 58’ E, 22° 13’ S, 15.x.1993, elev. 1275 m (B.L. Fisher); 38 km S Ambalavao, Res. Andringitra, 46° 58’ E, 22° 12’ S, 23.x.1993, elev. 1680 m (B.L. Fisher)

Notes. See under P. myops for discussion.

Figures

FIGURE 14. Paraparatrechina ocellatula worker holotype CASENT 0416898. A, profile; B, dorsum; C, full face.

FIGURE 16. Various measurements of Paraparatrechina workers.

FIGURE 17. Distribution of Paraparatrechina species. NOTE: The specimens of brunnella and umbranatis from Kenya were received after the proofing stage of this paper and are not included on the maps above. Instead, the Kenya locality records can be found under the non-type materials examined section of each species.