Euprenolepis wittei, Lapolla, John S., 2009

Lapolla, John S., 2009, Taxonomic Revision of the Southeast Asian Ant Genus Euprenolepis, Zootaxa 2046, pp. 1-25 : 20

Euprenolepis wittei , sp. nov.

( Figures 12A–D [worker]; 13A–I [queen and male])

Holotype worker, MALAYSIA: West Malaysia, Ulu Gombak Field Station, 3°19’N, 101° 54’E, nest series, 10.iv.2006 (V. Witte) ( USNM); 5 paratype workers, same locality as holotype ( ANIC; USNM).

Worker. Measurements (n=3): TL: 3.13–3.61; HW: 0.80–0.86; HL: 0.82–0.89; SL: 1.06–1.12; WL: 1.1–1.18; GL: 1.21–1.54. Indices: CI: 96–98; SI: 130–132

Generally matching the description of E. variegata with the following differences: 1) Overall darker brown in color, especially the head and gaster which are darker than mesosoma, 2) in profile, pronotal margin more rounded dorsoanteriorly, 3) scapes with a dense layer of pubescence distally, and 4) erect setae on gaster shorter than those of E. variegata .

Queen. Measurements (n=1): TL: 6.74; HW: 1.14; HL: 1.22; SL: 1.4; WL: 2.26; GL: 3.26. Indices: CI: 93; SI: 123.

As in worker, with modifications expected for caste and the following differences: Head, pronotum+mesonotum, and gaster darker brown with lighter yellowish-brown funiculi, legs, and propodeum+petiole. Entire body covered in a dense layer of pubescence; short erect setae cover head, mesosoma notum, legs and gaster.

Male. Measurements (n=2): TL: 3.32–3.37; HW: 0.59–0.6; HL: 0.73; SL: 1.06–1.18; WL: 1.41–1.42; GL: 1.17–1.23. Indices: CI: 82–83; SI: 176–199.

Overall color brown to brownish-yellow, lighter brown to yellow on legs and funiculi; head longer than broad. Cuticular surface shiny, covered in a dense layer of pubescence. Scapes long, surpassing posterior margin by about length of first four funicular segments; scapes with scattered erect setae and a dense layer of pubescence. Clypeus broad, with anterior margin emarginated. Mandible with a basal angle and a distinct apical tooth that curves inward toward midline of body. Mesosoma enlarged to accommodate flight muscles; covered in a layer of pubescence, with erect setae present dorsally and along legs. Pronotum small and collarlike; mesonotum flat dorsally with scattered erect setae; propodeum indistinct from remainder of mesonotum, but declivity steep. Petiole triangular, inclined forward, with posterior face longer than anterior face. Gaster with a dense layer of pubescence and many erect setae; terminalia especially setose. Parameres roughly triangular, turning slightly inward toward midline of body posteriorly; long setae extend off of parameres. Cuspi small and tubular, reaching digiti dorsally; digiti anvil-shaped, ventrally directed; digiti visible in lateral view. Volsellar lobes flat and indistinct. Penis valves with apodeme projecting dorsally; in lateral view the valves extend dorsally.

Etymology: The species epithet is given to honor Volker Witte for his insightful contributions to Euprenolepis natural history.

Additional material examined: INDONESIA: West Sumatra, Ulu Gadut near Padang, 18.ii.2007, under stone in soil (S. Yamane); THAILAND: S. Thammarat Prov., Papra Station, Khao Nan Nat. Park, Nakhou.

Discussion: Workers of this species are most likely to be confused with E. variegata , but can be separated based on the characters listed above. This appears to be a monomorphic species, for V. Witte (pers. comm.) has collected large nest series of this species and major workers have yet to be discovered.

Figures

FIGURE 12 A – D. E. wittei worker. A) lateral view; B) gaster in dorsal view; C) head in full-frontal view; D) scape. Holotype, Malaysia, West Malaysia (USNM)