Paraparatrechina glabra ( Forel, 1891 )

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 : 16-21

Paraparatrechina glabra ( Forel, 1891)

( Figs. 10 , 11 , 15 F–J, 16, 17)

Prenolepis glabra, Forel, 1891: 92 (worker described). 3 syntype workers examined, MADAGASCAR (MHNG). Emery, 1914: 422, combination in Prenolepis (Nylanderia) ; Emery, 1925: 219, combination in Paratrechina (Nylanderia) ; LaPolla et al., 2010: 128, combination in Paraparatrechina .

Worker diagnosis: elongate mesosoma (WL: 0.4–0.6), with pronotum rise of about 45° from anterior margin to dorsum; REL ≥ 20.

Compare with: P. m y o p s and P. ocellatula

WORKER. Measurements (n=39): TL: 1.38–2.22; HW: 0.35–0.48; HL: 0.41–0.58; EL: 0.1–0.129; SL: 0.47–0.64; PW: 0.25–0.33; WL: 0.44–0.66; PDH: 0.21–0.28; PrFL: 0.35–0.48; PrFW: 0.1–0.134; GL: 0.476– 0.91. Indices: CI: 75–102; REL: 20–26; SI: 104–140; FI: 24–36

Head brownish-yellow to yellowish-brown, with darker segmental and mandibular margins; head slightly longer than broad. Head pubescence variable from appressed to suberect, with a shining cuticular surface. Scapes surpass posterior margin by about the length of the first 4 funicular segments; scapes with appressed pubescence. Mesosoma brownish-yellow to yellowish-brown and elongate; fine, appressed pubescence covers entire mesosomal dorsum. Pronotum rises about 45° from anterior margin to dorsum; propodeum possesses a short, angular dorsal face with a long declivitous face. Legs are often lighter in color than the mesosoma, with the trochanters and tarsi often whitish-yellow. The gaster is similarly colored as head and mesosoma.

QUEEN. Measurements (n=1): TL: 5.09; HW: 1.0; HL: 0.94; EL: 0.29; SL: 0.97; PW: 1.09; WL: 1.79; PDH: 0.58; PrFL: 0.88; PrFW: 0.27; GL: 2.36. Indices: CI: 108; REL: 28; SI: 96; FI: 30

As in worker, with modifications expected for caste. Pubescence very dense, extending from dorsum to lateral regions of the mesosoma.

MALE. Measurements (n=3): TL: 2.1–2.28; HW (including eyes): 0.52–0.53; HL: 0.45–0.47; EL: 0.2– 0.22; SL: 0.33–0.34; PW: 0.38–0.38; WL: 0.69–0.71; PrFL: 0.52–0.56; PrFW: 0.11–0.12; GL (including parameres): 0.94–1.1. Indices: CI: 112–115; REL: 44–46; SI: 63; FI: 6–21

Head dark brown, with bulging large eyes that occupy most of the lateral region of the head; three prominent ocelli present. Head slightly broader than long. Palps distinctly lighter than head in color. A dense layer of pubescence covers head. Scapes surpass posterior margin by less than half of the length of the first funicular segment; scapes are slightly lighter in color than surrounding head. Antennae 13-segmented. Mandible with apical tooth and indistinct basal angle. Mesosoma dark brown as in head; pronotum short and collar-like; mesonotum large, rounded anteriorly, overarching pronotum; mesosoma dorsum flat, with suberect setae. Declivity indistinct from propodeum; propodeum lower than mesonotum and scutellum. Gaster dark brown, covered with pubescence and scattered erect setae. Parameres elongate, with scattered erect setae, especially towards apices.

Non-type material examined: MADAGASCAR: Prov. Antananarivo. 3 km 410 NE Andranomay 11.5 km 147° SSE Anjozorobe, 47° 58’ E, 18° 28’ S, 5–13.xii.2000, elev. 1300 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Antananarivo, Res. Ambohitantely, 20.9 km 72° NE Ankazobe, 47° 17’ E, 18° 14’ S, 17–22.iv.2001, elev. 1410 m (Rabeson et al.); Prov. Antananarivo, Res. Ambohitantely, 24.1 km 59° NE Ankazobe, 47° 17’ E, 18° 10’ S, 17–22.iv.2001, elev. 1620 m (Rabeson et al.); Prov. Antsiranana. Ambilanivy, 3.9 km 181° S Apasidava, 48° 10’ E, 13° 48’ S, 4–9.iii.2001, elev. 600 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Antsiranana, Ampasindava, Ambilanivy, 3.9 km 181° S Ambaliha, 48° 10’ E, 13° 48’ S, 4–9.iii.2001, elev. 600 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Antsiranana, For t Andavakoera, 21.4 km 75° ENE Ambilobe, 49° 33.8’ E, 13° 7.1’ S, 15–17.xii.2003, elev. 425 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Antsiranana, For t Antsahabe, 11.4 km 275° W Daraina, 49° 33.4’ E, 13° 7.7’ S, 12–14.xii.2003, elev. 550 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Antsiranana, Foret Ambanitaza, 26.1 km 347° Antalaha, 50° 11.2’ E, 14° 40.76’ S, 25–28.xi.2004, elev. 240 m (B.L. Fisher); Prov. Antsiranana, Foret Binara, 9.4 km 235° SW Daraina, 49° 36.0’ E, 13° 16.8’ S, 5–6.xii.2003, elev. 1100 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Antsiranana, Foret Binara, 9.1 km 233° SW Daraina, 49° 36.2’ E, 13° 15.8’ S, 3–7.xii.2003, elev. 650–800 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Antsiranana, PN Marojejy, 28 km 38° NE Andapa, 49° 46.5’ E, 14° 26.2’ S, 12–15.xi.2003, elev. 450 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Antsiranana, PN Marojejy, 27.6 km 35° NE Andapa, 49° 45.6’ E, 14° 26.1’ S, 15– 18.xi.2003, elev. 775 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Antsiranana, PN Marojejy, 26.6 km 31° NE Andapa, 49° 44.6’ E, 14° 26.2’ S, 18–21.xi.2003, elev. 1325 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Antsiranana, RNI Marojejy, 8 km NW Manantenina, 49° 47’ E, 14° 26’ S, 5–13.x.1996, elev. 450 m (E.L. Quinter); Prov. Antsiranana, RS Manongaivo, 12.8 km 228° SW Antanambao, 48° 25.4’ E, 13° 58.6’ S, 11.x.1998, elev. 780 m (B.L. Fisher); Prov. Antsiranana, RS Manongaivo, 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, RS Manongaivo, 10.8 km 229° SW Antanambao, 48° 26.0’ E, 13° 57.7’ S, 8.xi.1998, elev. 400 m (B.L. Fisher); Prov. Antsiranana, PN Montagne Ambre, 3.6 km 235° SW Joffreville, 49° 11’ E, 12° 32’ S, 20–26.i.2001, elev. 925 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Antsiranana, PN Montagne Ambre, 12.2 km 211° SSW Joffreville, 49° 10’ E, 12° 36’ S, 2–7.ii.2001, elev. 1300 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Antsiranana, PN Montagne Ambre, 12.2 km 211° SSW Joffreville, 49° 10’ E, 12° 36’ S, 7.ii.2001, elev. 1300 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Antsiranana, PN Montagne d' Ambre, 49° 10.53’ E, 12° 30.52’ S, 11–12.ii.2001, elev. 960 m (E.R. Harin'Hala); Prov. Antsiranana, PN Montagne d' Ambre, 12.2 km 211° SSW Joffreville, 49° 10.53’ E, 12° 30.52’ S, 5–21.iv.2001, elev. 960 m (E.R. Harin'Hala); Prov. Antsiranana, PN Montagne d' Ambre, 49° 10.45’ E, 12° 31.13’ S, 26.iv.2001 – 12.v.2001, elev. 1125 m (E.R. Harin'Hala); Prov. Antsiranana, PN Montagne d' Ambre, 49° 10.53’ E, 12° 30.52’ S, 26–29.i.2001, elev. 960 m (E. Schlinger); Prov. Antsiranana, Nosy Be, Res Lokobe, 6.3 km 112° ESE Hellville, 48° 20’ E, 3° 25’ S, 19–24.iii.2001, elev. 30 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Antsiranana, Nosy Be, Res. Lokobe, 6.3 km 112° ESE Hellville, 48° 20’ E, 13° 25’ S, 19–24.iii.2001, elev. 30 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Fianarantsoa, 8 km NE Ivohibe, 46° 53.9’ E, 22° 25.3’ S, 3– 9.xi.1997, elev. 1200 m (B.L. Fisher); Prov. Fianarantsoa, 9 km Ne Ivohibe, 46° 56.3’ E, 22° 25.6’ S, 12– 17.xi.1997, elev. 900 m (B.L. Fisher); Prov. Fianarantsoa, Mahabo, 47° 43.38’ E, 23° 11.63’ S, 19.iv.2006, elev. 20 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Fianarantsoa, Manombo, 47° 43.14’ E, 23° 0.95’ S, 20.iv.2006, elev. 30 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Fianarantsoa, PN Ranomafana, 47° 24.43’ E, 21° 15.5’ S, 21.i.2002, elev. 1130 m (E.R. Harin'Hala); Prov. Fianarantsoa, Vatovavy, 47° 56.4’ E, 21° 24.0’ S, 6–8.vi.2005, elev. 175 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Fianarantsoa, Vevembe, 47° 10.91’ E, 22° 47.46’ S, 23–24.iv.2006, elev. 600 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toamasina, Ambohidena, 49° 57.85’ E, 16° 49.46’ S, 21–24.vi.2005, elev. 20 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toamasina Prov. Toamasina, Ambohidena, 49° 57.85’ E, 16° 49.46’ S, 21–24.xi.2005, elev. 20 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toamasina, Ambodiriana, 49° 42.7’ E, 16° 40.34’ S, 18.xii.2005, elev. 125 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toamasina, Analalava, 49° 27.24’ E, 17° 42.57’ S, 27.xi.2005, elev. 50 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toamasina, Betampona, 49° 11.98’ E, 17° 55.44’ S, 28.xi.2005, elev. 390 m Fisher et al.); Prov. Toamasina, Betampona, 49° 12.15’ E, 17° 53.20’ S, 17.xii.2005, elev. 520 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toamasina, For t Tampolo, Parcelle E3, 10 km NE Fenerive-Est., 49° 26’ E, 17° 17’ S, 14–15.iv.2004, elev. 10 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toamasina, For t Tampolo, Parcelle K7, 10 km NE Fenerive-Est., 49° 25’ E, 17° 17’ S, 16–17.iv.2004, elev. 10 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toamasina, For t Tampolo, Parcelle K9, 10 km NE Fenerive-Est., 49° 268’ E, 17° 175’ S, 19– 20.iv.2004, elev. 10 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toamasina, For t Torotorofotsy, 14.9 km 71° ENE Moramanga, 48° 20.8’ E, 18° 52.2’ S, 24–29.iii.2004, elev. 1050 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toamasina, Foret Ambatovy, 14.3 km 57° NE Moramanga, 48° 19.2’ E, 18° 51.5’ S, 19–23.iii.2004, elev. 1075 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toamasina, F. C. Andriantantely, 48° 48.8 E, 18° 41.7, S, 7–10.xii.1998, elev. 530 m (H. J. Ratsirarson); Prov. Toamasina, F.C. Sandrnantitra, 49° 5.5’ E, 18° 2.9’ S, 18–21.i.1998, elev. 450 m (H. J. Ratsirarson); Prov. Toamasina, Kalalao, 49° 53.24’ E, 16° 55.35’ S, 24–27.xi.2005, elev. 100 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toamasina, Mahavelona (Foulpointe), 49° 30.0’ E, 17° 40.0’ S, 11–17.xii.1993 (A. Pauly); Prov. Toamasina, Mont. Akirindro, 7.6 km 341° NNW Ambinanitelo, 49° 32.9’ E, 15° 17.3’ S, 17–21.iii.2003, elev. 600 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toamasina, Mont. Anjanaharibe, 18 km 21° NNE Ambinanitelo, 49° 36.9’ E, 15° 11.3’ S, 8– 12.iii.2003, elev. 470 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toamasina, Mont. Anjanaharibe, 19.5 km 27° NNE Ambinanitelo, 49° 38.1’ E, 15° 10.7’ S, 12–16.iii.2003, elev. 1100 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toamasina, PN Mananara-Nord, 49° 47.25’ E, 16° 27.3’ S, 14.xi.2005, elev. 225 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toamasina, Mandrisy, 49° 50.82’ E, 16° 29.14’ S, 11–14.xi.2005, elev. 10 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toamasina, PN Mantadia, 48° 25.6’ E, 18° 47.5’ S, 25–28.xi.1998 - 28-1.xii.1998, elev. 895 m (H. J. Ratsirarson); Prov. Toamasina, SF Tampolo, 10 km NNE Fenoarivo Atn., 49° 25’ E, 17° 17’ S, 6.iv.1997, elev. 10 m (B.L. Fisher); Prov. Toliara, 2.7 km WNW 302° Ste. Luce, 47° 10.3’ E, 24° 46.3’ S, 9–11.xii.1998, elev. 20 m (B.L. Fisher); Prov. Toliara, PN Ambohijanahary, 35.2 km 312° NW Ambaravaranala, 45° 24.4’ E, 18° 16.0 S, 13– 17.i.2003, elev. 1050 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toliara, PN Ambohijanahary, 34.6 km 314° NW Ambaravaranala, 45° 25.1’ E, 18° 15.6’ S, 16.i.2003, elev. 1100 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toliara, Ambohijanahary, 35.2 km 312° NW Ambaravaranala, 45° 24.4’ E, 18° 16.0’ S, 13–17.i.2003, elev. 1050 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toliara, Andohahela, Manampanihy, 5.4 km 113° ESE Mahamavo, 46° 46’ E, 24° 46’ S, 24.i.2002, elev. 650 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toliara, PN Andohahela, 3.8 km 113° ESE Mahamavo, 46° 45’ E, 24° 46’ S, 21–25.i.2002, elev. 900 m (Fisher et al.); Prov. Toliara, Foret de Petriky, 12.5 km 272° W Tolagnaro, 46° 52.2’ E, 25° 3.7’ S, 22.xi.1998, elev. 10 m (B.L. Fisher); Prov. Toliara, SF Mandena, 8.4 km 30° NNE Tolagnaro, 47° 0.1’ E, 24° 57.1’ S, 20.xi.1998, elev. 20 m (B.L. Fisher); 45 km S Ambalavao, 47° 1’ E’ 22° 13’ S, 25.ix.1993, elev. 785 m (B.L. Fisher); Ambanizana, 6.9 km NE, 50° 0’ E, 15° 34’ S, 8.xii.1993, elev. 825 m (B.L. Fisher); Ambanizana, 6.9 km NE, 50° 0’ E, 15° 34’ S, 8.xii.1993, elev. 1000 m (B.L. Fisher); 6.9 km NE Ambanizana, 50° 0’ E, 15° 34’ S, 9.xii.1993, elev. 825 m (B.L. Fisher); Res. Andohahela, 11km NW Enakara, 46° 49’ E, 24° 34’ S, 17.vi.1992, elev. 800 m (B.L. Fisher); Res Andohahela, 10 km NW Enakara, 46° 49’ E, 24° 34’ S, 24.xi.1992, elev. 430 m (B.L. Fisher); Res Andohahela, 13 km NW Enakara, 46° 48’ E, 24° 33’ S, 30.xi.1992, elev. 1250 m (B.L. Fisher); Andranobe, 5.3 km SSE Ambanizana, 49° 58’ E, 15° 40’ S, 23.xi.1993, elev. 425 m (B.L. Fisher); Res. Anjanaharibe-Sud, 6.5 km SSW Befingotra, 49° 30’ E, 14° 45’ S, 19.x.1994, elev. 875 m (B.L. Fisher); Res. Anjanaharibe-Sud, 6.5 km SSW Befingotra, 49° 30’ E, 14° 45’ S, 28.x.1994, elev. 875 m (B.L. Fisher); Res. Anjanaharibe-Sud, 9.2 km WSW Befingotra, 49° 28’ E, 14° 45’ S, 10.xi.1994, elev. 1200 m (B.L. Fisher); Res. Anjanaharibe-Sud, 9.2 km WSW Befingotra, 49° 28’ E, 14° 45’ S, 12–13.xi.1994, elev. 1280 m (B.L. Fisher); PN Ranomafana, Vatoharanana, 4.1 km 231° SW Ranomafana, 47° 26.0’ E, 21° 17.4’ S, 27–31.iii.2003, elev. 1100 m (Fisher et al.)

Notes. Due to the range of sizes observed in workers, we ran a PCA (principal components analysis) using a correlation matrix including the following variables: HW, HL, SL, and WL to determine whether or not cryptic species could be detected with quantitative morphological data. Only the first principal component (PC) axis was significant and it explained 94% of variation in the data. The second PC axis explained 2.6% of variability in the data and was not significant. PC 1 reflected overall variation in worker body size: all of the original variables were highly correlated with PC 1 (r> 0.05). Low PC scores were correlated with large body measurements. Conversely, large PC scores were correlated with small body measurements.

Linear regression showed that PC 1 scores (i.e., body size) were significantly related to elevation of sample site (R2= 43%, p <0.0001). Small ants were collected at low elevations and larger ants were collected at higher elevations. Therefore, we interpret the morphological size variation observed in P. glabra as clinal variation. It would be instructive to test this hypothesis with molecular data in future analyses.

Workers of this species are easily distinguished from the other Malagasy Paraparatrechina by the presence of large eyes.

Figures

FIGURE 10. Paraparatrechina glabra worker CASENT 0489221. A, profile; B, dorsum; C, full face.

FIGURE 11. Paraparatrechina glabra queen CASENT 0021681. A, profile; B, dorsum; C, full face.

FIGURE 15. Scanning electron micrographs of Paraparatrechina male genitalia. P. albipes (A – E): A, dorsal view; B, lateral view; C, ventral view; D, digitus and cuspus; E, penis valve (ectal view). P. glabra (F – J): F, dorsal view; G, lateral view; H, ventral view; I, digitus and cuspus; J, penis valve (ectal view).