Paraparatrechina myops 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 : 21-22

Paraparatrechina myops LaPolla and Fisher , sp. nov.

( Fig. 13 , 16 , 17 )

Holotype worker, MADAGASCAR: Prov. Antsiranana; P.N. Marojejy; 26.6 km 31° NNE Andapa; 18–21.xi.2003; elev. 1325 m; 14°26.2’ S, 49°44.6’E; Fisher et al. (BLF 9080) ( CASC); 6 paratype workers, same locality as holotype ( CASC, USNM)

Worker diagnosis: small eyes (REL: <20); scapes with decumbent pubescence.

Compare with: P. glabra and ocellatula

WORKER. Measurements (n=27): TL: 1.8–2.4; HW: 0.42–0.51; HL: 0.51–0.64; EL: 0.07–0.11; SL: 0.55–0.74; PW: 0.31–0.36; WL: 0.56–0.78; PDH: 0.21–0.3; PrFL: 0.43–0.62; PrFW: 0.1–0.14; GL: 0.61– 1.05. Indices: CI: 77–89; REL: 13–17; SI: 121–162; FI: 20–25

Head yellow, with slightly lighter yellow antennae; cuticular surface shining. Pubescence covering head appressed, but long, giving it a shaggy appearance. Scapes surpass posterior margin by about the length of the first 3–4 funicular segments; scapes covered in short, decumbent pubescence. Mesosoma yellow and compact; a fine pubescence covers entire mesosomal dorsum. Metanotal area distinct, with prominent mesonotal spiracles. Pronotum rises steeply from anterior margin to dorsum. Propodeum possesses a short, slightly rounded dorsal face, with a long declivitous face. Legs yellow and in some specimens the trochanters and tarsi are slightly lighter yellow; gaster yellow.

Etymology. The species epithet is a Greek noun in apposition for mouse eye, in reference to the small eyes found in this species.

Non-type material examined: MADAGASCAR: 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, 26.6 km 31° NNE Andapa, 49° 44.6’ E, 14° 26.2’ S, 18–21.xi.2003, elev. 1325 m (Fisher et al.); 9.2 km WSW Befingotra, Res. Anjanaharibe-Sud, 49° 28’ E, 14° 45’ S, 5.xi.1994, elev. 1280 m (B.L. Fisher); 6.5 km SSW Befingotra, Res. Anjanaharibe-Sud, 49° 30’ E, 14° 45’ S, 19.x.1994, elev. 875 m (B.L. Fisher); 9.2 km WSW Befingotra, Res. Anjanaharibe-Sud, 49° 28’ E, 14° 15’ S, 9.xi.1994, elev. 1200 m (B.L. Fisher); 11 km WSW Befingotra, Res. Anjanaharibe-Sud, 49° 27’ E, 14° 45’ S, 16.xi.1994, elev. 1565 m (B.L. Fisher)

Notes. There are two species of Malagasy Paraparatrechina that possess small eyes, P. myops and P. ocellatula . Interestingly, both appear to be montane species. These two species are difficult to separate, their main distinguishing feature being the different sizes of various anatomical structures. P. myops is a much larger species and also possesses decumbent pubescence on the scapes; P. ocellatula is a smaller species overall, and possesses appressed pubescence on the scapes. Given the propensity of Prenolepis genus-group species to evolve worker polymorphism ( LaPolla et al., 2010), we at first considered P. myops to be larger workers of P. ocellatula . However, plots of their corresponding morphological data clearly indicate the presence of two groups (fig. 16E) rather than continuous variation. As a result, we have chosen to consider these two groups as distinct species based on their significant morphometric differences, but as molecular and other forms of data become available the specific status of both P. m y o p s and P. ocellatula should be reexamined.

Figures

FIGURE 13. Paraparatrechina myops worker holotype CASENT 0042527. 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.