Mayriella granulata Dlussky & Radchenko

Shattuck, S. O. & Barnett, N. J., 2007, Revision of the ant genus Mayriella., Advances in ant systematics (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): Homage to E. O. Wilson - 50 years of contributions. (Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 80), pp. 437-458 : 445-446

Mayriella granulata Dlussky & Radchenko , 1990

(Figs 10 - 12)

Mayriella granulata Dlussky & Radchenko , 1990: 123.

TYPE MATERIAL

Holotype worker and two paratype workers ( UASK) from “ Archipelago Baitylong, Isl. Dongho “, Quang Ninh Prov., Vietnam (examined). This island is also known as D & # 7843; o Dong Khoa , Ba Mun Island and Cao Lo Island (and probably other names) and is located approx. 100 km ENE of H & # 7843; i Phong at approx. 21 º 00 ’ N 107 º 35 ’ E. No additional material currently available.

DIAGNOSIS

This species is similar to M. transfuga and can be separated from it by the presence of relatively short and broad propodeal spines (the spines are at most about as long as the width of their bases while they are at least 1.5 times the width of the base in M. transfuga ). It can be separated from the remaining species in the genus by the presence of well developed sculpturing in the posterior section of the scrobe, the large, closely spaced pits on the mesosomal dorsum, the parallel lateral surfaces of the postpetiole and the strongly angular petiolar node.

WORKER DESCRIPTION

Sculpturing in posterior section of antennal scrobe well developed and distinct; sculpturing on dorsal surface of mesosoma consisting of large, closely spaced pits; propodeal spines relatively long and broad; dorsal surface of petiole in lateral profile uniformly convex, without distinct dorsal and posterior faces and forming a sharp angle with the anterior face; in dorsal view, postpetiole with the anterior and posterior regions approximately the same width (the region connecting them either flat or weakly convex); postpetiole and gaster lacking erect hairs dorsally.

Measurements. Holotype - CI 0.98; HL 0.43; HTL 0.22; HW 0.42; ML 0.45; PW 0.30; SI 0.57; SL 0.24.

COMMENTS

This species is essentially identical to M. transfuga in all characters examined during this study with the exception of the broader and slightly shorter propodeal spines (as pointed out in the original description) and the apparently longer hairs on the lateral margins of head, especially the pair originating immediately posterior to the eyes. But even here, the spines in one of the paratypes (the upper one) are noticeably narrower than those of the holotype and remaining paratype and approach those found in some transfuga specimens (for example from Kota Tinggi, E. Johore, Malaysia). Also, the lengths of the head hairs are difficult to assess critically because they vary considerably in the degree of curvature, making precise measurements difficult. While there is currently little support for treating this taxon as distinct from transfuga , it would be helpful to have additional material before deciding on its true status. Thus, this species is retained for the time being while noting that it may well represent little more than a slight variation of transfuga .