Euprenolepis variegata, Lapolla, John S., 2009

Lapolla, John S., 2009, Taxonomic Revision of the Southeast Asian Ant Genus Euprenolepis, Zootaxa 2046, pp. 1-25 : 17-20

Euprenolepis variegata , sp. nov.

( Figures 11A–D )

Holotype worker, MALAYSIA: Borneo, Sabah, Danum Valley, West Trail P 1, 250 m, ii.1999 (C. Brühl) ( USNM); 2 paratype workers, same locality as holotype ( ANIC; USNM); 1 paratype worker, MALAYSIA: Borneo, Sabah, Sepiok Forest Reserve, 60 m, ii.2000 (C. Brühl) ( USNM).

Worker. Measurements (n=3): TL: 2.98–3.36; HW: 0.77–0.82; HL: 0.81–0.89; SL: 1.07–1.11; WL: 1.1–1.26; GL: 1–1.21. Indices: CI: 91–96; SI: 136–140

Head brown, with scapes and mandibles lighter and funiculi much lighter becoming brownish-yellow; head about as long as broad. Cuticular surface shiny and weakly rugoreticulate, with scattered erect setae, with only small areas of pubescence along clypeal margin. Scapes with scattered pubescence and erect setae; pubescence more abundant distally. Mesosoma light brown, shiny, with legs slightly lighter. Scattered erect setae of varying lengths concentrated on posterior pronotum and anterior mesonotum. Pronotum rises at about 45° toward mesonotum; propodeum dorsum rounded, dome-like; declivity short, but steep. Petiole triangular, inclined forward, with posterior face longer than anterior face; gaster darker brown than mesosoma, with erect setae and no pubescence; cuticular surface shiny and weakly rugoreticulate.

Etymology: The species epithet is Latin for different, in reference to its separation from E. wittei .

Discussion: E. variegata workers are most likely to be confused with E. wittei . The two species can be separated based on the fact that E. variegata is lighter in color, has scattered pubescence on the scapes, becoming dense distally, and longer erect setae on the gaster than those of E. wittei .

Figures

FIGURE 11 A – D. E. variegata worker. A) lateral view; B) gaster in dorsal view; C) head in full-frontal view; D) scape. Holotype, Malaysia, Borneo (USNM)