Paraparatrechina subtilis ( Santschi, 1920 )

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 : 13-14

Paraparatrechina subtilis ( Santschi, 1920)

( Fig. 8 , 16 , 17 )

Prenolepis (Nylanderia) subtilis Santschi, 1920: 174 (worker described). Holotypeworker, SENEGAL: Casamance (C. Paveau) (NHMB) [examined]. Emery, 1925: 218, combination in Paratrechina (Nylanderia) ; LaPolla et al., 2010: 128, combination in Paraparatrechina .

Prenolepis (Nylanderia) subtilis termitophila Santschi, 1921: 122 (worker described). Holotype worker?, CAMEROON: Douala (von Rothkirch) (depository unknown, not in NHMB) [not examined]. Emery, 1925: 218, combination in Paratrechina (Nylanderia) ; LaPolla et al., 2010: 128, combination in Paraparatrechina . SYN. NOV.

Worker diagnosis: metanotal area distinct, with raised metanotal spiracles; head and scapes with decumbent pubescence; cephalic pubescence longer lateroposteriorly.

Compare with: P. oreias

WORKER. Measurements (n=10): TL: 1.45–1.65; HW: 0.37–0.42; HL: 0.46–0.50; EL: 0.08–0.11; SL: 0.43–0.48; PW: 0.27–0.29; WL: 0.49–0.54; PDH: 0.22–0.25; PrFL:0.35–0.39; PrFW: 0.1–0.11; GL: 0.46–0.7. Indices: CI: 77–87; REL: 17–22; SI: 110–122; FI: 25–32

Head yellow to light brown; cuticular surface shining. Short, decumbent pubescence covers head, especially lateroposteriorly, where it is longer than remainder of head. Scapes surpass posterior margin by about the length of the first funicular segment. Scapes covered in short, decumbent pubescence across their length. Mesosoma yellow to light brown and compact; fine pubescence covers entire mesosomal dorsum, although pubescence sparser on dorsal face of propodeum. Pronotum rises very steeply from anterior margin to dorsum. Mesonotal area distinct, with prominent mesonotal spiracles. Dorsal face of propodeum short, gently rounded, with longer declivitous face. Legs same color as remainder of the body; gaster yellow, covered in a dense layer of pubescence.

Non-type material examined: DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Epulu, 28° 35’ E, 1° 23’ N, xi.1995, elev. 750 m (S.D.Torti); GABON: Prov. Ogooue-Maritime, Res. Monts Doudou, 25.2 km 304° NW Doussala, 10° 23.67’ E, 2° 13.63’ S, 15.iii.2000, elev. 660 m (S. van Noort); RWANDA: Rangiro, i.1976, elev. 1800 m (P. Werner); Rangiro, ix.1976 (P. Werner)

Notes. This is a light colored species that can be distinguished by the presence of short, decumbent pubescence on the head and scapes, an uncommon character state for Paraparatrechina species. P. umbranatis also has decumbent pubescence on the head and scapes (although the pubescence is not as long), but can easily be distinguished from P. subtilis by the dark gaster contrasting with the lighter head and mesosoma. Unfortunately, type specimens of P. subtilis termitophila could not be located for this study (they were not found in NHMB by curator Daniel Burckhardt, pers. comm.). Based on the written description by Santschi (1921) there seems to be little to distinguish it from P. subtilis , thus our placement as a synonym.

Figures

FIGURE 8. Paraparatrechina subtilis worker CASENT 0178760. A, profile; B, dorsum; C, full face.

FIGURE 16. Various measurements of Paraparatrechina workers.

FIGURE 17. Distribution of Paraparatrechina species. NOTE: The specimens of brunnella and umbranatis from Kenya were received after the proofing stage of this paper and are not included on the maps above. Instead, the Kenya locality records can be found under the non-type materials examined section of each species.