Lepisiota layla Wachkoo, Bharti and Akbar, 2021

Harshana, Anand & Dey, Debjani, 2022, Taxonomic studies on the ant genus <i> Lepisiota </ i> Santschi 1926 (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae) in India, with description of four new species, Oriental Insects 57 (3), pp. 785-818 : 27-28

Lepisiota layla Wachkoo, Bharti and Akbar, 2021 ( Fig. 7D–F )

Lepisiota layla Wachkoo, Bharti and Akbar 2021: 232 . Type workers, Kotla, Himachal Pradesh, India.

Material examined

INDIA: Madhya Pradesh: Pachmarhi, 22°28 ʹ 50”N 78°26 ʹ 29”E, 1050 m, 3 workers, 07.IX.2020, Coll. A. Harshana .

Measurements and indices

Workers (N = 2). EL: 0.19; HL: 0.59–0.61; HW: 0.57–0.60; MML: 0.32; PH: 0.26–0.27; PRW: 0.41–0.42; SL: 0.62–0.65; TL: 2.76–2.81; WL: 0.87–0.89; CI: 97–98; OI: 33–32; REL: 31–32; SI: 108–109.

Description (Worker): Head

Head slightly longer than broad, subquadrate, sides weakly convex, posterior margin almost straight, posterolateral corners rounded ( Fig. 7F ); palp formula 6,4 and third maxillary segment from base longest of all segments while sixth segment distinctly longer than the fifth segment; mandible with five teeth on masticatory margin, third tooth from apex smaller than the fourth tooth; antennae 11 segmented, antennal scape extending to posterior margin of head not more than 1/3 rd of its length, antennal insertions touching posterior clypeal margin; clypeus dorsally convex, subcarinate at the middle, having sub-erect comparatively long pubescent hairs, posterior margin with a pair of long erect setae, anterior margin with two pairs of long erect setae with a median seta, anterior clypeal margin weakly convex; eyes broadly oval, weakly convex, placed little behind mid-length of the head; three ocelli present.

Mesosoma

Promesonotum convex, higher than remaining mesosoma in profile view ( Fig. 7D ); propodeum with broad, thick, posteriorly diverging spines and propodeal declivity steep; fore tibiae having pectinate spur at the distal end, basitarsus having a hairy notch at the proximal end.

Metasoma

Petiole dorsally with angular sides, without distinct teeth or spines, shallowly emarginated, and sides slightly convex; acidopore well-developed and fringed with hairs.

Head, mesosoma, and metasoma covered with abundant whitish long erect setae ( Fig. 7D–F ); legs with sub-erect to erect comparatively short whitish setae; antennal scape with sub-erect to erect setae while funicular segments with sub-erect to decumbent pubescence; mandibular surfaces with fine setae.

Sculpture and colour

Head, mesosoma, and metasoma are smooth and shining except for rugose mesometapleuron. Body uniformly black; antennal scape (except the distal end), tarsi of legs yellowish-brown; mandible, the distal end of antennal scape, funicular segments of antennae brown.

Comments

Lepisiota layla seems to be a rare species. It shows similarities with the South African species, Lepisiota capensis junodi (Forel, 1916) , in having numerous whitish erect setae all over the body but it differs by lack of bispinose petiole. Distribution in India: Himachal Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh*.

Figures

Figure 7A–F. Workers of Lepisiota integra (A–C), Lepisiota layla (D–F). A, D, body in profile view; B, E, body in dorsal view; C, F, head in full-face view.