Euprenolepis echinata, LaPolla, J. S., 2009

LaPolla, J. S., 2009, Taxonomic Revision of the Southeast Asian Ant Genus Euprenolepis., Zootaxa 2046, pp. 1-25 : 6-8

Euprenolepis echinata , sp. nov.

(Figures 3A-D)

Holotype worker, MALAYSIA: Borneo, Sabah, Poring Hot Spring, East Ridge, N 06°02' E 116°42', 600 m, 2.iv.1996 (A. Malsch) ( USNM); paratype worker, same locality as holotype ( ANIC).

Worker. Measurements (n=1): TL: 3.11; HW: 0.68; HL: 0.77; SL: 1.1; WL: 1.2; GL: 1.14. Indices: CI: 89; SI: 161.

Head brownish-yellow, with lighter mandibles and funiculi; head longer than broad. Cuticular surface dull and weakly rugoreticulate, with scattered distinctly thick erect setae, no pubescence underneath. Posterior margin complete. Eyes notably convex and more round in shape than observed in other Euprenolepis . Scapes surpass posterior margin by about length of the first four funicular segments; with scattered erect setae and no pubescence underneath. Mesosoma brownish-yellow, dull, legs slightly lighter. Pronotum elongate, very gently rises towards mesonotum (less than 30° angle); mesonotum and metanotal area flat; propodeum dorsum rounded, dome-like; declivity steep. Only a few erect setae present on notum, concentrated on posterior pronotum and anterior mesonotum. Petiole triangular with posterior face longer than anterior face. Gaster brownish-yellow with scattered long, erect setae and no pubescence underneath; cuticular surface dull and faintly rugoreticulate.

Etymology: The species epithet is Latin for hedgehog, in reference to the unique setae of this species.

Discussion: This is an easily recognized species with distinctly long and thick erect setae scattered across its entire body. The setal bases are especially noteworthy because they are clearly defined: large and darker than the surrounding cuticle. The pronotum is lower in profile and more elongated than is seen in other species except E. negrosensis . While the presence of long erect setae and an elongated pronotum might indicate a close relationship with E. negrosensis , it is worth noting that the erect setae are different between the two species with E. negrosensis possessing setae that are much thinner than in E. echinata .