Euprenolepis wittei, LaPolla, J. S., 2009

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

publication ID

22819

publication LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:pub:64338A83-AF63-4EA4-A048-24A26C28F841

DOI

https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6216837

persistent identifier

https://treatment.plazi.org/id/9ADB4337-6CF8-44B5-95AC-EAC9C8107587

taxon LSID

lsid:zoobank.org:act:9ADB4337-6CF8-44B5-95AC-EAC9C8107587

treatment provided by

Christiana

scientific name

Euprenolepis wittei
status

sp. nov.

Euprenolepis wittei   HNS , sp. nov.

(Figures 12A-D [worker]; 13A-I [queen and male])

Holotype worker, MALAYSIA: West Malaysia, Ulu Gombak Field Station, 3°19'N, 101° 54'E, nest series, 10.iv.2006 (V. Witte) ( USNM); 5 paratype workers, same locality as holotype ( ANIC; USNM).

Worker. Measurements (n=3): TL: 3.13-3.61; HW: 0.80-0.86; HL: 0.82-0.89; SL: 1.06-1.12; WL: 1.1-1.18; GL: 1.21-1.54. Indices: CI: 96-98; SI: 130-132

Generally matching the description of E. variegata   HNS with the following differences: 1) Overall darker brown in color, especially the head and gaster which are darker than mesosoma, 2) in profile, pronotal margin more rounded dorsoanteriorly, 3) scapes with a dense layer of pubescence distally, and 4) erect setae on gaster shorter than those of E. variegata   HNS .

Queen. Measurements (n=1): TL: 6.74; HW: 1.14; HL: 1.22; SL: 1.4; WL: 2.26; GL: 3.26. Indices: CI: 93; SI: 123.

As in worker, with modifications expected for caste and the following differences: Head, pronotum+mesonotum, and gaster darker brown with lighter yellowish-brown funiculi, legs, and propodeum+petiole. Entire body covered in a dense layer of pubescence; short erect setae cover head, mesosoma notum, legs and gaster.

Male. Measurements (n=2): TL: 3.32-3.37; HW: 0.59-0.6; HL: 0.73; SL: 1.06-1.18; WL: 1.41-1.42; GL: 1.17-1.23. Indices: CI: 82-83; SI: 176-199.

Overall color brown to brownish-yellow, lighter brown to yellow on legs and funiculi; head longer than broad. Cuticular surface shiny, covered in a dense layer of pubescence. Scapes long, surpassing posterior margin by about length of first four funicular segments; scapes with scattered erect setae and a dense layer of pubescence. Clypeus broad, with anterior margin emarginated. Mandible with a basal angle and a distinct apical tooth that curves inward toward midline of body. Mesosoma enlarged to accommodate flight muscles; covered in a layer of pubescence, with erect setae present dorsally and along legs. Pronotum small and collar-like; mesonotum flat dorsally with scattered erect setae; propodeum indistinct from remainder of mesonotum, but declivity steep. Petiole triangular, inclined forward, with posterior face longer than anterior face. Gaster with a dense layer of pubescence and many erect setae; terminalia especially setose. Parameres roughly triangular, turning slightly inward toward midline of body posteriorly; long setae extend off of parameres. Cuspi small and tubular, reaching digiti dorsally; digiti anvil-shaped, ventrally directed; digiti visible in lateral view. Volsellar lobes flat and indistinct. Penis valves with apodeme projecting dorsally; in lateral view the valves extend dorsally.

Etymology: The species epithet is given to honor Volker Witte for his insightful contributions to Euprenolepis   HNS natural history.

Additional material examined: INDONESIA: West Sumatra, Ulu Gadut near Padang, 18.ii.2007, under stone in soil (S. Yamane); THAILAND: S. Thammarat Prov., Papra Station, Khao Nan Nat. Park, Nakhou.

Discussion: Workers of this species are most likely to be confused with E. variegata   HNS , but can be separated based on the characters listed above. This appears to be a monomorphic species, for V. Witte (pers. comm.) has collected large nest series of this species and major workers have yet to be discovered.

USNM

USA, Washington D.C., National Museum of Natural History, [formerly, United States National Museum]

ANIC

Australia, Australian Capital Territory, Canberra City, CSIRO, Australian National Insect Collection

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Arthropoda

Class

Insecta

Order

Hymenoptera

Family

Formicidae

Genus

Euprenolepis

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