Nylanderia impolita LaPolla and Fisher

Lapolla, John S., Hawkes, Peter G. & Fisher, Brian L., 2011, Monograph of Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the World, Part I: Nylanderia in the Afrotropics, Zootaxa 3110, pp. 10-36 : 16

Nylanderia impolita LaPolla and Fisher , sp. nov.

( Figs. 10–12 , 76 [worker])

Holotype worker, GABON: Prov. Ogoové-Maritime: Réserve des Monts Doudou, 24.3 km 307° NW Doussala, 2°13.35’ S, 10°24.35’ E, elev. 350 m; malaise trap, coastal lowland rainforest, forest margin along river; 9– 10.iii.2000 (S. van Noort) ( CASC) (CASENT0179589); 1 paratype worker, same label data as holotype; 1 paratype worker with same label data as holotype except date: 8.iii.2000; 1 paratype worker with same label data as holotype except date: 6–7.iii.2000 ( CASC, USNM)

Worker diagnosis: Overall dark brown with rugulose head and mesosoma; SL ≥ 0.9 mm.

Compare with: N. lepida

WORKER. Measurements (n = 6): TL: 2.6–3.1; HW: 0.59–0.74; HL: 0.7–0.8; EL: 0.17–0.18; SL: 0.91–0.98; PW: 0.4–0.48; WL: 1.0–1.05; GL: 0.9–1.4

Indices: CI: 83–93; REL: 21–24; SI: 131–161

Overall the worker of N. impolita matches the description of N. lepida with the following differences: 1) larger overall size (TL: 2.6–3.1); 2) scape length ≥ 0.9 mm; 3) head and mesosoma rugulose; 4) mesopleuron with distinct rugulae; 5) mesosoma more elongated with lower pronotum than in N. lepida (WL ≥ 1.0 mm); 6) generally with more erect macrosetae present on the scapes (SMC> 20, often exceeding 30).

The queen and male castes are currently unknown for this species.

Etymology. The specific epithet impolita (L. = unpolished) is in reference to the fact this species possesses a rugulose cuticle on the head and mesosoma.

Non-type material examined. ANGOLA: 7 miles west Gabela, 10°15.209' S, 14°22.216' E *, 16–18 March 1975; CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: PN Dzanga-Ndoki, Mabea Bai, 21.4 km, 53° NE Bayanga, 3°02.00' N, 16°24.60' E, 510 m, 7 May 2001 (B.L. Fisher); GABON: Prov. Ogooue-Maritime, Reserve des Monts Doudou, 24.3 km 307° NW Doussala, 2°13.35' S, 10°24.35' E, 350 m, 6–8 March 2000 (S. van Noort); Prov. Ogooue-Maritime, Reserve des Monts Doudou, 24.3 km 304° NW Doussala, 2°13.63' S 10°23.67' E, 600 m, 16–18 March 2000 (S. van Noort); Prov. Woleu-Ntem 31.3 km 108° ESE Minvoul, 2°04.8'N 12°24.4' E, 600 m, 12 Feb 1998 (B.L. Fisher); GHANA: Enchi, 5°49.074' N, 2°49.466' W *, 28 May 1967 (D. Leston); Bunso nr. Tafo, 6°12' N, 1°49' W *, 30 July 1969 (D. Leston); Atewa, 6°10.000' N, 0°36.000' W *, 8 Aug 1964 (D. Leston)

Notes. This species has one of the longest scapes of any African Nylanderia (SL ≥ 0.9). It is most likely to be confused with N. lepida , but N. lepida is generally smaller in overall size and its cuticle is typically very smooth and shining.

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 15. Afrotropical Nylanderia species in various views: boltoni (worker, 1 – 3, CASENT 0179580, Gabon); bourbonica (worker, 4 – 6, CASENT 0101309, Reunion); brevisetula (worker, 7 – 9, CASENT 0090304, Central African Republic); impolita (worker, 10 – 12, CASENT 0179589, Gabon); incallida (worker, 13 – 15, CASENT 0179576, Ivory Coast)

FIGURES 73 – 88. Scapes of Afrotropical Nylanderia species (workers only): boltoni (73, CASENT 0179580, Gabon); bourbonica (74, CASENT 0101309, Reunion); brevisetula (75, CASENT 0090304, Central African Republic); impolita (76, CASENT 0179589, Gabon); incallida (77, CASENT 0179576, Ivory Coast); jaegerskioeldi (78, CASENT 0179577, Kenya); lepida (79, CASENT 0179591, Gabon); luteafra (80, CASENT 0179584, Gabon); mendica (81, CASENT 0179590, Gabon); natalensis (82, CASENT 0396096, South Africa); scintilla (83, CASENT 0179579, Ivory Coast); silvula (84, LACMENT 272717, Kenya); umbella (85, CASENT 0179583, Cameroon); usambarica (86, CASENT 0235343, Tanzania); vaga (87, CASENT 0104253, U. S. A); vividula (88, CASENT 0103260, U. S. A.)