Paraparatrechina luminella, LaPolla, John S. & Fisher, Brian L., 2014

LaPolla, John S. & Fisher, Brian L., 2014, Two new Paraparatrechina (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) species from the Seychelles, with notes on the hypogaeic weissi species-group, ZooKeys 414, pp. 139-155 : 145-148

Paraparatrechina luminella sp. n. Figs 10-15

Holotype worker.

SEYCHELLES: Silhouette Island, above Jardin Marron on crest to Mont Plaisir and Pot à Eau, 520m, 4.4867°S, 55.2341°E, 20.i.2010, forest, rotten log, B.L.Fisher et al. CASENT0159693 (CASC); paratype worker, same locality as holotype (USNM); 2 paratype workers, SEYCHELLES: Mahé Island, Mont Copolia, 520m, 4.65121°S, 55.45835°E, 8.ii.2010, forest, sifted litter, B.L.Fisher et al. CASENT0159361 (CASC), CASENT0159373 (CASC); paratype worker, SEYCHELLES: Mahé Island, Le Niol, 345m, 4.63067°S, 55.43159°E, 11.ii.2010, tree plantation, rotten log, B.L.Fisher et al. CASENT0159051 (CASC); paratype worker, SEYCHELLES: Mahé Island, Casse Dent, Morne Seychellois National Park, 465 m, 4.65284°S, 55.43735°E, 11.ii.2010, mixed forest, under rootmat, B.L.Fisher et al. CASENT0145383 (CASC); paratype worker, SEYCHELLES: Silhouette Is land, below Mont Cocos Marrons, 320m, 4.50248°S, 55.24395°E, 21.i.2010, forest, under rootmat, B.L.Fisher et al. CASENT0158936 (CASC); paratype worker, SEYCHELLES: Silhouette Island, on ridge toward Pot à Eau, 600m, 4.48213°S, 55.23408°E, 22.i.2010, moist rainforest, rotten log, B.L.Fisher et al. CASENT0158939 (CASC); paratype worker, SEYCHELLES: Silhouette Island, Jardin Marron, 395m, 4.48636°S, 55.23627°E, 27.i.2010, non-native forest, on low vegetation, B.L.Fisher et al. CASENT0159308 (CASC); paratype worker, SEYCHELLES: Silhouette Island, on ridge toward Mont Corgat, 445m, 4.49537°S, 55.23946°E, 25.i.2010, forest, ground nest, B.L.Fisher et al. CASENT0159944 (CASC); paratype worker & queen, SEYCHELLES: Silhouette Island, ridge from Mont Corgat to Mont Cocos Marron, 455m, 4.50126°S, 55.23985°E, 24.i.2010, forest, rotten log, B.L.Fisher et al. CASENT0159905 (USMN).

Worker diagnosis.

Very distinct patches of lighter areas (ranging from yellow to white) on pronotum (that can extend onto mesonotum) and gastral tergites (typically from posterior of T1 through anterior portion of T4.)

Compare with: Paraparatrechina albipes .

Worker.

Measurements (n=8) TL: 1.37-1.58; HW: 0.38-0.46; HL: 0.44-0.47; EL: 0.11-0.13; SL: 0.45-0.50; PW: 0.20-0.29; WL: 0.46-0.52; GL: 0.46-0.67

Indices: CI: 85-98; REL: 25-28; SI: 108-124;

Overall brown with patches of yellow to white; lighter area medially between eyes and above torulae; distinct patches of lighter areas (ranging from yellow to white) on pronotum (that typically extends onto mesonotum and occasionally onto dorsal face of propodeum) and gastral tergites (typically from posterior of T1 through anterior portion of T4; scapes proximally more brown becoming yellow to whitish midlength, lightening to white through apex of funiculus; procoxae golden yellow, meso/metacoxae and trochanters white; femur golden yellow then remainder of leg light yellow to white; body covered in dense, appressed pubescence; macrosetae placement as is typical in Paraparatrechina . Head ovate with nearly straight posterior margin; scapes surpass posterior margin by first 2-3 funicular segments; three ocelli apparent. Mesosoma compact with steeply rising pronotum in lateral view; mesonotum and metanotal area short; metanotal area indistinct, only slightly impressed; propodeum with short, flat dorsal face and much longer, steep declivitous face.

Queen.

Measurements (n=3) TL: 3.34-3.75; HL: 0.61-0.63; HW: 0.66-0.69; EL: 0.25-0.26; SL: 0.61-0.62; PW: 0.66-0.74; WL: 1.13-1.22; GL: 1.52-2.02

Indices: CI: 104-111; REL: 39-41; SI: 91-92

As in worker, with modifications expected for queen caste and the following differences:

Coloration overall more brown than in worker, with no distinct yellow to white patches on mesosoma or gaster; lighter antennae and legs.

Head subcordate.

Legs generally as in worker, except coxae brown.

Notes.

The coloration pattern seen in the worker of Paraparatrechina luminella is very distinct and is unlike any pattern seen in other species from either the Afrotropical or Malagasy regions. The most similar coloration pattern among Paraparatrechina is seen in Paraparatrechina albipes , in which workers typically have a light patch of whitish coloration on the posterior pronotum and mesonotum that contrasts with the generally overall dark brown color of the body. Whether this is indicative of a close relationship between these two species or is simply convergence is unclear.