Paratrechina ankarana, LaPolla, John S. & Fisher, Brian L., 2014

LaPolla, John S. & Fisher, Brian L., 2014, Then there were five: a reexamination of the ant genus Paratrechina (Hymenoptera, Formicidae), ZooKeys 422, pp. 35-48 : 40-41

Taxon classification Animalia Hymenoptera Formicidae

Paratrechina ankarana sp. n. Figs 1-3

Holotype worker.

MADAGASCAR: Province Antsiranna, Rés. Spéc. Ankarana; 22.9 km 224° SW Antivorano Nord; 80 m; 12°55'S, 49°7'E; 10-16.ii.2001; Fisher et al.; CASENT0454372 (CASC). 6 paratype workers with the same locality information as the holotype (CASC, USNM); 9 paratype workers, Antsiranna, Rés. Spéc. Ankarana; 22.9 km 224° SW Antivorano Nord; 210 m; 12°52'S, 49°14'E; 16-21.ii.2001; Fisher et al. (BMNH, CASC, PBZT, USNM).

Worker diagnosis.

Dark brown, with cuticle giving a faint greenish-blue reflection; propodeum with fine striations across surface; SI less than 195.

Worker. Measurements (n=6) TL: 2.60-2.84; HW: 0.60-0.63; HL: 0.66-0.72; EL: 0.18-0.20; SL: 1.10-1.17; PW: 0.42-0.46; WL: 1.01-1.07; GL: 0.90-1.14; PFL: 0.80-0.90; CI: 85-92; REL: 27-29; REL2: 31-33; SI: 184-191; SMC: 24-30; PMC: 3-6; MMC: 3-4.

Dark brown; antennae lighter with trochanters yellow to white; cuticle smooth and shiny, except on propodeum which posseses fine striations across surface; under microscrope view cuticle has a faint greenish-blue reflection; abundant macrosetae across scapes, head, pronotum, mesonotum, and gaster; scapes with short pubescence. Head ovate; posterolateral corners rounded with complete posterior margin; midpoint of eyes at approximately midline of head; eyes convex; 3 small ocelli present; mandibles with 5 teeth; apical tooth the longest, 3rd tooth from apical shortest, remainder about the same size; outer mandibular surface with slight striations across surface. In lateral view, pronotum rises in a straight margin towards mesonotum with only slight convexity towards mesonotal margin; propodeum large and bulbous, making division between dorsal and declivitous faces difficult; metanotal suture with distinct impression that extends down along the mesopleural/metapleural margin; mesopleuron with darkened ridge along impression.

Etymology.

The specific epithet is derived from the name of the reserve where the species was found.