Paraparatrechina brunnella 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 : 7-8

Paraparatrechina brunnella LaPolla and Cheng , sp. nov.

( Fig. 3 , 16 , 17 )

Holotype worker, CAMEROON: Nkoemvon; 1980; F49 (D. Jackson) ( BMNH); 8 paratype workers, same locality as holotype ( BMNH, NMNH).

Worker diagnosis: small size (TL 1.2–1.6); head, mesosoma, and gaster brown, contrasting with yellowishbrown antennae and mandibles; golden pubescence covering body (especially visible on head).

Compare with: P. albipes

WORKER. Measurements (n=10): TL: 1.23–1.58; HW: 0.32–0.37; HL: 0.37–0.41; EL: 0.09–0.12; SL: 0.35–0.46; PW: 0.22–0.29; WL: 0.35–0.52; PDH: 0.19–0.25; PrFL: 0.29–0.37; PrFW: 0.1–0.12; GL: 0.45– 0.65. Indices: CI: 81–94; REL: 23–28; SI: 102–124; FI: 30–38

Head brown, with contrasting yellowish-brown antennae and mandibles; cuticular surface shining; head slightly longer than broad. Golden pubescence covers head. Scapes surpass posterior margin by about the length of the first funicular segment. Mesosoma brown and compact; fine golden pubescence covers entire dorsum of mesosoma. Pronotum rises steeply from anterior margin to dorsum. Propodeum low, with a very short, angular dorsal face followed by a long declivitous face; petiole yellowish-brown. Procoxae brown; meso/metacoxae whitish-yellow; trochanters white; femurs and tarsi yellowish-brown, becoming lighter towards last tarsal segments; gaster brown.

Etymology. The species epithet is a Latin diminutive adjective meaning brown and small, in reference to the main color of the body and the generally small size of ants in this genus.

Non-type material examined: CAMEROON: Nkoemvon, 1980 (D. Jackson); GABON: Prov. Ogooue- Maritime, Reserve de la Moukalaba-Dougoua, 7km NW Doussala, 10° 32.65’ E, 2 19.84’ S, 21.iii.2000, elev. 110 m (S. van Noort); GHANA: Tafo (B. Bolton); KENYA: Kakamega Forest, E 34° 52’16, N 00° 19.49 (H. Garcia).

Notes. P. albipes could be confused with this species if the pro/mesonotal white patch is not distinct on P. albipes . P. brunnella possess more pubescence on the head and mesosoma than P. albipes , and has a shorter scape ( brunnella range: 0.35–0.46 mm compared with albipes range: 0.48–0.53 mm).

Figures

FIGURE 3. Paraparatrechina brunnella worker holotype CASENT 0178757. 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.