Nylanderia flaviabdominis (Wang, 1997), comb. nov.

(Figs 127–129)

Prenolepis flaviabdominis Wang, 1997: 88 (w.). Holotype worker, CHINA: Hubei Province, Lichuan City, 29°42.23’N 108°21.21’E, 103.6m, 8.viii.1993 (HUN) [examined].

Prenolepis sphingthoraxa Zhou & Zheng 1998: 42 (w.). Holotype worker, CHINA: Guangxi Province, Huaping Nature Reserve, 25°10.10’N 109°48.54’E, 534m, 5–9.vii.1995 (GNUC) [examined]. syn. nov.

Morphology. Worker. Measurements (n=4): CMC: 30–31; EL: 0.20–0.24; EW: 0.16–0.17; HL: 0.83–0.92; HLA: 0.37–0.42; HLP: 0.36–0.44; HW: 0.67–0.83; IOD: 0.44–0.47; LF1: 0.22–0.24; LF2: 0.11–0.13; LHT: 1.30–1.32; MMC: 2–3; MTW: 0.45–0.48; MW: 0.29–0.35; PDH: 0.35–0.38; PMC: 2–3; PrCL: 0.59–0.64; PrCW: 0.32–0.35; PrFL: 1.03–1.30; PrFW: 0.21–0.24; PTH: 0.38; PTL: 0.33–0.35; PTW: 0.21–0.24; PW: 0.51– 0.57; SL: 1.32–1.36; TL: 3.26–3.77; WF1: 0.07–0.08; WF2: 0.07; WL: 1.38–1.54; BLI: 184–206; CI: 81–90; EPI: 91–103; FLI: 178–205; HTI: 176–196; PetHI: 101–102; PetWI: 63–69; PrCI: 54–56; PrFI: 18–21; REL: 24–28; REL2: 28–35; REL3: 45–50; SI: 164–196.

Medium to dark orange-brown; cuticle of head finely reticulate; cuticle of pronotum smooth and shiny; cuticle of mesonotum, metanotum, mesopleura, and propodeum rugoreticulate; long, erect macrosetae with thick setal bases on head, pronotum, mesonotum, gaster, and legs; erect setae on scapes; macrosetae darker in color than rest of the cuticle; light, decumbent hairs on the dorsal face of the propodeum; head longer than broad and rectangular in shape with rounded posterolateral corners and a slight medial concavity in the posterior margin; compound eyes are positioned anterior to the midline of the head (EPI <100); compound eyes are moderately sized and convex, but do not surpass the lateral margins of the head in full-face view; mandibles with 6 teeth on the masticatory margin; cuticle of ectal surface of mandibles smooth and shiny; mesosoma is gracile (Fig 30); in profile view the dorsal surface of the mesonotum is flat and elongate; in profile view, propodeum is highly domed with a rounded dorsal face; dorsal apex of petiole scale is sharply angled and forward-inclined; mesonotal and metanotal sutures are deep and complete.

Notes. This species has deep and complete mesonotal and metanotal sutures (Fig 30), anteriorly-placed eyes, and macrosetae with thick setal bases all of which are characteristic of Nylanderia . Nylanderia flaviabdominis bears a strong morphological resemblance to N. emmae and has a similar distribution, but can be distinguished from N. emmae by its rectangular head shape with rounded posterolateral corners, dark orange-brown coloration, dark macrosetae, and rugoreticulation instead of longitudinal striations on the propodeum. Like P. emmae, this species was likely thought to be a Prenolepis because its elongate mesosoma appears to be constricted. Both of these species however do not have the depression in the dorsal surface of the mesonotum that is seen in Prenolepis species.

Other material examined. CHINA: Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden, 580m, 5.vii.2011, 22.42335N 114.12600E ± 30m (P.S. Ward). In: USNM .