Nylanderia

Guénard, Benoit, 2023, A checklist of Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Formicinae) from Hong Kong and Macao SARs, with an illustrated identification key for species in Southeast China and Taiwan, Zootaxa 5301 (5), pp. 501-539 : 522-523

Nylanderia IBBL-02

( Figure 18 ; Figure 25.G )

Diagnosis. Nylanderia IBBL-02 can be distinguished from other species of Nylanderia from Southeast China by the combination of dorsum of propodeum shorter than declivity, mesonotum without abundant pubescence, cuticle with a blue iridescence, faint reticulation on dorsum of head, pronotum with 8 to 10 erect macrosetae (PMC 4–5), and mesonotum with 4 to 6 erect macrosetae (MMC 2–3).

Measurements (n = 13 workers). MdL 0.329 –0.377; ClL 0.146 –0.181; ClW 0.423 –0.464; HL 0.68–0.713; HW 0.574 –0.613; EL 0.177 –0.199; MaD 0.110 –0.122; IoD 0.334 –0.368; SL 0.799 –0.863; ML 0.909 –0.989; PrL 0.301 –0.334; PrW 0.428 –0.461; PrFL 0.613 –0.687; MeL 0.217 –0.265; MeW 0.246 –0.270; PrpL 0.172 –0.198; PrpH 0.315 –0.367; PrpW 0.321 –0.354; PL 0.227 –0.307; AB3L 0.424 –0.561; TL 2.3–2.5; PMC 4–5; MMC 2–3; CI 83.7–88.4; DNI 54.7–62.1; IoI 57–61.9; OI 29.5–32.8; SI 134.3–144.5; REL 23.6–28.5; MaI 57.3–68.4.

Compare with: N. amia , N. flavipes , N. ryukyuensis , N. sharpii , N. vividula .

Morphology. Pubescence among N. IBBL-02 workers is variable; it can be sparsely present on the pronotum, mesonotum, mesopleuron, and propodeum. On the latter, it is present as a transverse band on the dorsum. The eye size (about 12 ommatidia in the longest row; REL 23.6–28.5), the blue iridescence, the erect macrosetae count (PMC 4–5, MMC 2–3), the transverse band of pubescence on the dorsum of the propodeum and faint reticulation on the head are very characteristic of this species, and can be used to differentiate it from other similar species (such as N. flavipes and N. sharpii ).

Ecology. This morphospecies is considered locally abundant based on the specimens studied here. Specimens of N. IBBL-02 were consistently sampled in areas below 200 m a.s.l.

Distribution. So far, this morphospecies is recorded for Hong Kong and Macao, with possible distribution in Guangdong. Nylanderia IBBL-01 could have been misidentified as N. amia or N. bourbonica (e.g., Brassard et al. 2021), although a more inclusive revisionary study would be necessary to corroborate this assumption.

Examined material. Hong Kong: (1 worker) Chek Lap Kok , 22.2952 113.9345, 24.viii.2016, AT10B30; (1 worker) same data as preceding, 23.vi.2016, AT10B55; (1 worker) same data as preceding, 3.v.2016, AT10B75; (1 worker) same data as preceding, 27.viii.2015, AT10B45; (1 worker) same data as preceding, 22.2939 113.9331, 29.vii.2016, AW14; (1 worker) same data as preceding, 22.2953 113.9354, 29.vi.2016, AW8; (1 worker) same data as preceding, 22.2898 113.9069, 6.v.2016, LW1; (1 worker) same data as preceding, 22.2953 113.9354, 12.x.2015, AW8; (1 worker) same data as preceding, 22.2952 113.9345, 31.x.2016,AT10B35; (1 worker) same data as preceding, 22.2947 113.9336, 27.vii.2016, AW9; (1 worker) same data as preceding, 22.2952 113.9345, 27.viii.2015, AT10B120; (1 worker) same data as preceding, 30.vi.2017, AT10B120; (1 worker) same data as preceding, 22.2947 113.9336, 27.vii.2016, AW9; (1 worker) same data as preceding, 22.2947 113.9336, 12.xii.2016, AW9; (1 worker) same data as preceding, 22.2953 113.9354, 12.x.2015, AW; (1 worker) Sha Lo Wan , 22.2898 113.9069, 13.xii.2016, LW1; (2 workers) same data as preceding, 22.2881 113.9013, 1.viii.2016, LW2; (1 worker) Tung Chung , 22.2907 113.9371, 16.v.2017, TCW1; (1 worker) Yuen Long , 22.44978 114.02148 ±10 m, elevation 17 m, 5.x.2016, M. Pierce col. , # IAS-0094; (1 worker) Yuen Long Park , 22.441698 114.017858, elevation 16 m, 27.ix.2021, Winkler, M. T. Hamer, YL 1T2W4; (1 worker) Kowloon Tsai Park , 22.33097 114.18502, elevation 20 m, 26.vii.2021, Winkler, A. Ibañez col. , KTP1T2W4; Chek Lap Kok , 22.2947 113.9336, 17.ix.2015, AW9; (1 worker) same data as preceding, 22.2957 113.9338, 15.xi.2016, AW7; (2 workers) same data as preceding, 22.2953 113.9354, 12.x.2015, AW8; (1 worker) same data as preceding, 22.2952 113.9345, 27.viii.2015, AT10B120; (1 worker) same data as preceding, 22.2952 113.9345, 3.v.2016, AT10B10; (1 worker) same data as preceding, 22.2952 113.9345, 23.vi.2016, AT10B40; (1 worker) same data as preceding, 22.2939 113.9331, 29.vii.2016, AW14; (1 worker) Sha Lo Wan , 22.2898 113.9069, 6.v.2016, LW1; (1 worker) Hong Kong Island , Lung Fu Shan, 22.27944 114.13867 ±500 m, elevation 174 m, 11.v.2016, Y.Luo, #ISP0013; (1 worker) King’s Park , 22.31065 114.1733, elevation 43 m, 27.ix.2021, M.T. Hamer col. , KP1T2B2; (1 worker) Yuen Long Park , 22.442291 114.018503, elevation 24 m, 27.ix.2021, M.T. Hamer col.; (1 worker) Tai Po Waterfront , 22.45187 114.1796, elevation 9 m, 17.viii.2021, M.T. Hamer col.; (1 worker) Tai Po Waterfront , 22.4519 114.1796, elevation 8 m, 17.viii.2021, M.T. Hamer col.; (1 worker) Tai Po Waterfront , 22.4518 114.1797, elevation 10 m, 17.viii.2021, M.T. Hamer col.; (1 worker) Jordan Valley Park, 22.32949 114.22197, elevation 113 m, 27.vii.2021, M.T. Hamer col. ; HK Cemetery , 22.27092 114.1799, elevation 20 m, 28.v.2021, M.T. Hamer col.; (1 worker) Ocean Park , 22.244222 114.176608, elevation 42 m, 28.ix.2021, M.T. Hamer col.; (1 worker) Tsing Yi Park , 22.35775 114.1044, elevation 27 m, 09.viii.2021, M.T. Hamer col.; (1 worker) Tsing Yi Park , 22.35697 114.1045, elevation 30 m, 09.viii.2021, M.T. Hamer col.; (1 worker) Jordan Valley Park, 22.32947 114.22194, elevation 113 m, 27.vii.2021, M.T. Hamer col.; (1 worker) Hon Man Tin East Reservoir Playground , 22.3134 114.1829, elevation 68 m, 21.x.2021, M.T. Hamer col.; (3 workers) same data as preceding, 22.3138 114.183, elevation 68 m, 21.x.2021, M.T. Hamer col.; (1 worker) Kowloon Tsai , 22.33076 114.18537, elevation 20 m, 26.vii.2021, M.T. Hamer col.; (1 worker) Yuen Long Park , 22.44176 114.017839, elevation 15 m, 27.ix.2021, M.T. Hamer col.; (1 worker) Shing Mun Valley Park, 22.37679 114.1266, elevation 42 m, 23.viii.2021, M.T. Hamer col.; (1 worker) Girl Guides Pok Hong Campsite , 22.37107 114.19591, elevation 66 m, 09.vii.2021, M.T. Hamer col.; (1 worker) Nam Chung Yeung Uk , 22.51564 114.20771, elevation 4 m, 03.vi.2021, M.T. Hamer col.; (3 workers) Chuck Farm , 22.41899402 114.079073, elevation 26 m, 22.ix.2021, A. Ibañez col.; (1 worker) Tuen Mun Park , 22.39223 113.97401, elevation 8 m, 13.vii.2021, M.T. Hamer col.; (1 worker) Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Park 22.28933 114.145934, elevation 3 m, 24-01.ix-x.2021, Malaise, M.T. Hamer col.; (1 worker) Hong Kong Velodrome Park , 22.314632 114.261461, elevation 15 m, 23.viii.2021, Bait, M.T. Hamer col. ; Macao: (1 worker) Hac Sa Reservoir , 2.viii.2017, ANTWEB1016677, B. Guénard col [ IBBL] .

Figures

FIGURE 18. Nylanderia IBBL-02.A: Lateral view of the whole body; B: Dorsal view of the head; C: Dorsal view of the whole body.

FIGURE 25. Distribution maps for seven of the thirteen Nylanderia species recorded for Hong Kong. A: Nylanderia amia; B: Nylanderia birmana; C: Nylanderia emmae; D: Nylanderia flaviabdominis; E: Nylanderia flavipes; F: Nylanderia IBBL-01; G: Nylanderia IBBL-02.