Nylanderia wardi, Kallal, 2019

Kallal, Robert J., 2019, Nylanderia of the World Part III: Nylanderia in the West Indies, Zootaxa 4658 (3), pp. 401-451 : 441-442

Nylanderia wardi , sp. nov.

Figs.97–99 (worker)

Holotype worker, CUBA: Holguin, 6 km S Yamanigüey , 20° 33’ N, 74° 44’W, 25 m, 23.viii.2001, P.S. Ward #14437- 23 ( NMNH) ; 2 paratype workers same locality data as holotype (specimens are from the same nest as holotype) ; 3 paratype workers same locality data as holotype but different collecting code (P.S. Ward #14436) ( NMNH & MCZC).

Worker diagnosis: Larger brown to light brown species (HL: 0.6–0.72); SMC typically greater than 30 (measured range: 26–38); head in full-face view distinctly ovate with rounded posterolateral corners.

Compare with: N. sierra , N. xestonota

WORKER. Measurements (n=7): TL: 2.20–2.84; HW: 0.54–0.6; HL: 0.60–0.72; EL: 0.15–0.18; SL: 0.78–0.87; WL: 0.76–0.85; GL: 0.82–1.3; SMC: 26–38; PMC: 4–6; MMC: 3–4. Indices: CI: 83–90; REL: 24–25; SI: 141–152; SI2: 18–21.

Head: Sides of head in full face view rounded and slightly convergent anteriad; posterolateral corners distinctly rounded; posterior margin straight; anterior clypeal margin emarginate; median ocellus present; eye well-developed. Mesosoma: in lateral view, pronotum convex; anterior margin of mesonotum raised slightly above posterior pronotal margin; metanotal area without short flat area before spiracle; dorsal face of propodeum slightly convex; dorsal face of propodeum lower than mesonotum in lateral view. Color and pilosity: color light brown to brownish-yellow; slightly darker dorsally; mesocoxae and metacoxae slightly lighter than the mesosoma; head generally without pubescence, except some sparse pubescence laterally and underneath eyes; mesosoma generally without pubescence, except some sparse pubescence on the mesonotum and a sparse fringe along dorsal face of propodeum; gastral tergites with abundant pubescence.

Other material examined: CUBA: Santiago de Cuba: Parque Nacional Gran Piedra, near La Isabellica, 20.00700, -75.61900 +/- 150 m, 1115 m, 29 Jan 2012, R.S. Anderson # RSA 2012-013.

Etymology: Named in honor of Philip S. Ward (University of California—Davis), who not only collected this species, but whose many superb contributions to myrmecology have greatly enriched the field.

Notes: Workers of this species are very similar to N. sierra , but N. wardi is much larger and the declivity following the mesonotum to the metanotal area is distinctly longer in N. wardi . Additionally, N. wardi has much more scape macrosetae than N. sierra . There were individuals of N. sierra collected in sympatry with N. wardi and the morphological differences between the two species were maintained.

Figures

FIGURES 97–99. Nylanderia wardi worker CASENT0280582. Lateral, full-face, and dorsal view of the body.