Paraparatrechina oreias LaPolla and Cheng

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 : 11-12

Paraparatrechina oreias LaPolla and Cheng , sp. nov.

( Fig. 6 , 16 , 17 )

Holotype worker, CAMEROON: Prov. Sud-Ouest; Mnt. Cameroon; 3.8 km 330° NNW Mapanja; elev. 1440 m; 4°6.5’N, 9°9.1’E; 16.iv.2000 (B.L. Fisher #2326) ( CASC); 8 paratype workers, same locality as holotype ( CASC, USNM).

Worker diagnosis: metanotal area distinct, with raised metanotal spiracles; head and scapes with appressed pubescence.

Compare with: P. gnoma and subtilis

WORKER. Measurements (n=10): TL: 1.4–1.75; HW: 0.37–0.39; HL: 0.45–0.46; EL: 0.105–0.112; SL: 0.41–0.45; PW: 0.26–0.28; WL: 0.48–0.51; PDH: 0.21–0.23; PrFL: 0.34–0.36; PrFW: 0.098–0.14; GL: 0.45– 0.83. Indices: CI: 80–87; REL: 23–25; SI: 105–120; FI: 28–40

Head yellow, with darker segmental and mandibular margins; slightly longer than broad. A fine, short pubescence covers the head. Scapes surpass posterior margin by about the length of the first 2 funicular segments; scapes with appressed pubescence. Mesosoma compact, yellow to slightly brownish-yellow laterally; fine pubescence covers dorsum. Pronotum rises very steeply from anterior margin to dorsum. Mesonotal area distinct, with prominent mesonotal spiracles. Propodeum possesses a short, angular dorsal face, with a long declivitous face. Legs yellow, with trochanters sometimes whitish-yellow; gaster brownishyellow becoming lighter yellow around segmental margins.

Etymology. The species epithet is a Greek noun in apposition for mountain nymph, in reference to the type locality on Mt. Cameroon.

Non-type material examined: CAMEROON: Prov. Sud-Ouest Mnt., Cameroon, 3.8 km 330° NNW Mapanja, 9° 9.1’ E, 4° 6.5’ S, 16.iv.2000, elev. 1440 m (B.L. Fisher)

Notes. The layer of appressed pubescence covering the head and scapes effectively separates this species from P. subtilis , the species most likely to be confused with P. oreias .

Figures

FIGURE 6. Paraparatrechina oreias worker holotype CASENT 0178762. 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.