Nylanderia lazulina, Williams & Williams & Lapolla & Lucky, 2025

Williams, Jason L., Williams, John F., Lapolla, John S. & Lucky, Andrea, 2025, Nylanderia of the World, Part IV: Taxonomic contributions to the American Clade I of New World Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 5569 (3), pp. 549-593 : 571-576

Nylanderia lazulina , sp. nov

Figs. 35–37 (worker); Figs. 38–39 (queen); Figs. 40–43 (male)

Holotype worker, MEXICO: Oaxaca, Uluapan, 4km NE San Bartolomé Ayautla, 18.05817 -96.64624 ±20m, elev. 390m, 9.vi.2016, lowland rainforest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-03-2-36, ( USNM: USNMENT01131154 ). 5 paratype workers with same locality data as holotype ( USNM: USNMENT01131308 , USNMENT01131309 ; MNCR: USNMENT01131310 , USNMENT01131311 , USNMENT01131312 ). 1 paratype worker, 2 paratype males, and 1 paratype queen, MEXICO: Oaxaca, Uluapan , 4km NE San BartoloméAyautla, 18.0593 -96.64624 ±20m, elev.420m, 9.vi.2016, lowland rainforest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-03-2-13, ( USNM: USNMENT01131339 , USNMENT01131866 ; MNCR: USNMENT01131865 ).

Worker diagnosis: Antennae relatively long, with scapes surpassing posterior margin by nearly half their length; medium to dark reddish-brown and with strongly contrasting whitish meso- and metacoxae; microsculpture very finely matte, causing intense blue iridescence on head, mesosoma, and gaster; erect setae on all parts of body thick, long, and dark; sparse thick erect setae on scapes that strongly contrast with relatively fine appressed pubescence; moderate cephalic pubescence; metatibiae relatively long (HTI> 125).

Compare with: N. contraria , N. luceata

WORKER. Measurements (n=12): TL: 1.99–2.52; EL: 0.12–0.16; EW: 0.09–0.12; IOD: 0.29–0.33; HE: 0.00– 0.01; HL: 0.56–0.69; HW: 0.46–0.55; HLA: 0.17–0.25; HLP: 0.25–0.29; SL: 0.68–0.83; PW: 0.35–0.42; MW: 0.18–0.28; PrW: 0.24–0.31; PDH: 0.22–0.25; PTW: 0.11–0.15; LHT: 0.60–0.76; WL: 0.71–0.88; GL: 0.69–1.00; SMC: 3–6; PMC: 2–4; MMC: 2. Indices: BLI: 147–162; CI: 80–83; EPI: 65–87; HTI: 125–146; REL: 20–24; SI: 143–156.

Color: medium to dark reddish-brown and with strongly contrasting whitish meso- and metacoxae; black macrosetae strongly contrasting with overall color; overall cuticle with very fine microsculpture, giving cuticle matte appearance and resulting in strong blue iridescence on head, mesosoma, and gaster. Pilosity: erect setae on all parts of body thick, long, and dark; moderate cephalic pubescence, found laterally and concentrated around compound eyes; pubescence sparse to absent between compound eyes; mesosoma pubescence sparse to absent, limited at most to scattered hairs on pronotum and propodeum, and a fringe of hairs concentrated just posterior to the metanotal groove; gaster pubescence sparse to absent; no erect setae on apex of petiole. Head: longer than broad and quadrate with distinct posterolateral corners and flattened posterior margin, with little to no medial emargination; scapes long, surpassing posterior margin by nearly half their length; median ocellus small, but often apparent; lateral ocelli small and often absent or not apparent. Mesosoma: posterior margin of pronotum forming obtuse angle with anterior margin of mesonotum in profile view; propodeum low and evenly rounded, with posterior face about same length as dorsal face.

QUEEN. Measurements (n=1): TL: 3.74; EL: 0.21; HL: 0.71; HW: 0.71; SL: 0.81; WL: 1.18; GL: 1.85. Indices: BLI: 165; CI: 99; REL: 30; SI: 114.

Relatively large. Color: Dark brown, with meso- and metacoxae somewhat lighter. Pilosity: most of body covered in moderate to dense pubescence; lacking pubescence on posterior face of propodeum; 1-2 small, erect setae on anepisternum.

MALE. Measurements (n=2): TL: 1.98–2.06; EL: 0.17–0.18; HL: 0.50–0.51; HW: 0.44–0.45; SL: 0.62–0.63; WL: 0.74; GL: 0.74–0.82. Indices: BLI: 165–167; CI: 87–89; REL: 33–35; SI: 140–142.

Color: uniformly medium brown with meso- and metacoxae at most somewhat lighter than mesosoma. Pilosity: dense pubescence on head, mesoscutum, and mesoscutellum; pubescence sparse to absent on pronotum, anepisternum, katepisternum, propodeum, and gaster. Head: as broad as long; compound eyes surpass lateral margins of head in full-face view; scapes surpass posterior margin of head by about half their length. Mesosoma: In profile view, propodeum angled with dorsal face twice as long as posterior face. Genitalia: gonopod triangular and very broad at base, tapering strongly with apex steeply upturned and coming to a point ( Fig. 71 ); in ventral view, ventromedial edge of basivolsella weakly and evenly curved ( Fig. 42 ); gonossiculus straight and nearly three times longer than cuspis.

Other material examined: GUATEMALA: Retalhuleu, Finca los Chicharros, SW Zunil, 14.6946 -91.53792 ± 50m, elev. 1273m, 3.vi.2015, mixed hardwood, sifted litter, R.S. Anderson #RSA2015-102; Zacapa, 2km SE La Unión, 14.94654 -89.276 ± 55m, elev. 1550m, 12.v.2009, 2° cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wm-B-03-1-01; Zacapa, 2km SE La Unión, 14.94758 -89.27751 ± 28m, elev. 1530m, 12.v.2009, cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wm-B-03-1-02; Zacapa, 2km SE La Unión, 14.94654 -89.276 ± 305m, elev. 1550m, 12.v.2009, cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wm-B-03-1-06; HONDURAS: Comayagua, Montana Comayagua, 14.53448 - 87.55155 ± 100m, elev. 1360m, 16.v.2009, mixed liquidambar forest, sifted litter, R.S. Anderson #RSA2009-031; Olancho, Parque Nacional La Muralla, 15.0943 -86.7387 ± 50m, elev. 1420m, 2.v.2010, cloud forest, sifted litter, R.S. Anderson #RSA2010-002; Olancho, Parque Nacional La Muralla, 15.09387 -86.73934 ± 50m, elev. 1410m, 2.v.2010, cloud forest, sifted litter, R.S. Anderson #RSA2010-003; Olancho, 9km N Catacamas, 14.93693 -85.90535 ± 20m, elev. 1360m, 10.v.2010, mixed hardwood forest, sifted litter, R.S. Anderson #RSA2010-020; Comayagua, PN Cerro Azul Meambar, 14.86937 -87.89583 ± 20m, elev. 1140m, 20.v.2010, ridgetop cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-C-04-2-48; Comayagua, PN Cerro Azul Meambar, 14.86932 -87.89576 ± 20m, elev. 1140m, 20. v.2010, ridgetop cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-C-04-2-50; Cortés, PN Cusuco, 15.48683 -88.2343 ± 20m, elev. 1330m, 30.v.2010, mesophyll forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-C-06-1-24; Cortés, PN Cusuco, 15.48683 - 88.23425 ± 20m, elev. 1330m, 30.v.2010, mesophyll forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-C-06-1-25; Cortés, PN Cusuco, 15.48686 -88.23402 ± 20m, elev. 1330m, 30.v.2010, mesophyll forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-C-06-1- 30; Cortés, PN Cusuco, 15.48686 -88.23398 ± 20m, elev. 1330m, 30.v.2010, mesophyll forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-C-06-1-31; Cortés, PN Cusuco, 15.4894 -88.2363 ± 20m, elev. 1290m, 30.v.2010, mesophyll forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-C-06-2-14; Cortés, PN Cusuco, 15.4894 -88.23639 ± 20m, elev. 1290m, 30.v.2010, mesophyll forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-C-06-2-16; Cortés, PN Cusuco, 15.48932 -88.23752 ± 20m, elev. 1290m, 30.v.2010, mesophyll forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-C-06-2-43; Cortés, PN Cusuco, 15.48915 -88.23745 ± 20m, elev. 1290m, 30.v.2010, mesophyll forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-C-06-2-47; Olancho, PN La Muralla, 15.09734 -86.73912 ± 20m, elev. 1490m, 2.v.2010, cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wm-C-01-1-01; Olancho, PN La Muralla, 15.09803 -86.7399 ± 20m, elev. 1500m, 2.v.2010, cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wm-C-01-1- 02; Olancho, PN La Muralla, 15.09859 -86.74216 ± 10m, elev. 1510m, 2.v.2010, cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wm-C-01-1-03; Olancho, PN La Muralla, 15.09911 -86.74067 ± 125m, elev. 1530m, 2.v.2010, cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wm-C-01-1-05; Olancho, PN La Muralla, 15.09489 -86.73944 ± 125m, elev. 1420m, 2.v.2010, cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wm-C-01-2-01; Comayagua, PN Cerro Azul Meambar, 14.87112 - 87.89938 ± 300m, elev. 1100m, 20.v.2010, ridgetop cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wm-C-04-1-01; Comayagua, PN Cerro Azul Meambar, 14.86951 -87.89701 ± 300m, elev. 1150m, 20.v.2010, ridgetop cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wm-C-04-1-02; Comayagua, PN Cerro Azul Meambar, 14.87236 -87.90098 ± 20m, elev. 1040m, 22. v.2010, cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wm-C-04-1-05; Comayagua, PN Cerro Azul Meambar, 14.87209 - 87.90187 ± 20m, elev. 1000m, 22.v.2010, montane rainforest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wm-C-04-1-06; Comayagua, PN Cerro Azul Meambar, 14.87314 -87.90297 ± 30m, elev. 890m, 22.v.2010, montane rainforest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wm-C-04-1-07; Comayagua, PN Cerro Azul Meambar, 14.87238 -87.90332 ± 20m, elev. 870m, 22. v.2010, montane rainforest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wm-C-04-1-08; Comayagua, PN Cerro Azul Meambar, 14.86993 -87.90479 ± 110m, elev. 770m, 21.v.2010, montane rainforest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wm-C-04-2-01; Atlántida, 10km SSW Tela, 15.69652 -87.47636 ± 20m, elev. 660m, 17.vi.2010, tropical wet forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wm- C-08-2-01; MEXICO: Puebla, 1.4km WSW Hueytamalco, 19.93725 -97.30273 ± 50m, elev. 760m, 12.vi.2019, mesophyl forest, sifted litter, J.T. Longino #JTL10644-s; Veracruz, 10km NNW Sontecomapan, 18.58333 -95.08333 ±m, elev. 500m, 21.iii.1985, rainforest, P.S. Ward #PSW7369-41; Veracruz, 10km NNW Sontecomapan, 18.58333 -95.08333 ±m, elev. 500m, 21.iii.1985, rainforest, sifted litter, P.S. Ward #PSW7369-41; Veracruz, Road to Ruiz Cortinez, 18.51999 -95.16196 ± 30m, elev. 1054m, 5.vi.2016, liquidambar forest, sifted litter, R.S. Anderson #RSA2016-104; Veracruz, Road to Ruiz Cortinez, 18.5229 -95.15441 ± 30m, elev. 1114m, 5.vi.2016, mixed hardwood forest, sifted litter, R.S.Anderson #RSA2016-105; Veracruz, hills above Ruiz Cortinez, 18.5304 -95.14127 ± 30m, elev. 1239m, 7.vi.2016, hilltop hardwood forest, sifted litter, R.S. Anderson #RSA2016-110; Oaxaca, Cafetal Carlota, 18.04756 -96.69252 ± 30m, elev. 1011m, 12.vi.2016, liquidambar/cloud forest, sifted litter, R.S. Anderson #RSA2016-138; Oaxaca, Cafetal Carlota, 18.04773 -96.68953 ± 30m, elev. 1041m, 14.vi.2016, liquidambar/cloud forest, sifted litter, R.S. Anderson #RSA2016-145; Oaxaca, Cafetal Carlota, 18.04784 -96.69198 ± 30m, elev. 1019m, 14.vi.2016, liquidambar/cloud forest, sifted litter, R.S.Anderson #RSA2016-146; Oaxaca, Cafetal Carlota, 18.04791 -96.69076 ± 30m, elev. 1035m, 14.vi.2016, liquidambar/cloud forest, sifted litter, R.S. Anderson #RSA2016-147; Veracruz, Est. Biol. Los Tuxtlas, 18.5863 -95.07665 ± 20m, elev. 180m, 29.v.2016, tropical rainforest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-01-2-17; Veracruz, Est. Biol. Los Tuxtlas, 18.58557 -95.07665 ± 20m, elev. 180m, 29.v.2016, tropical rainforest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-01-2-33; Veracruz, Est. Biol. Los Tuxtlas, 18.58539 -95.07665 ± 20m, elev. 180m, 29.v.2016, tropical rainforest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-01-2-37; Veracruz, Ruiz Cortínez, 12 km NE San Andrés Tuxtla, 18.53399 -95.14888 ± 20m, elev. 1130m, 3.vi.2016, montane wet forest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-02-1-10; Veracruz, Ruiz Cortínez, 12 km NE San Andrés Tuxtla, 18.53412 -95.14974 ± 20m, elev. 1130m, 3.vi.2016, montane wet forest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-02-1-27; Veracruz, Ruiz Cortínez, 12 km NE San Andrés Tuxtla, 18.53399 -95.14765 ± 20m, elev. 1130m, 3.vi.2016, montane wet forest, sifted litter,ADMAC#Wa- F-02-1-44; Veracruz, Ruiz Cortínez, 12 km NE San Andrés Tuxtla, 18.53399 -95.14734 ± 20m, elev. 1130m, 3.vi.2016, montane wet forest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-02-1-50; Veracruz, Ruiz Cortínez, 12 km NE San Andrés Tuxtla, 18.53231 -95.14302 ± 20m, elev. 1130m, 3.vi.2016, montane wet forest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-02-2- 23; Oaxaca, Uluapan, 4km NE San Bartolomé Ayautla, 18.06001 -96.64345 ± 20m, elev. 430m, 9.vi.2016, lowland rainforest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-03-1-02; Oaxaca, Uluapan, 4km NE San Bartolomé Ayautla, 18.06001 - 96.6435 ± 20m, elev. 430m, 9.vi.2016, lowland rainforest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-03-1-03; Oaxaca, Uluapan, 4km NE San Bartolomé Ayautla, 18.06001 -96.64355 ± 20m, elev. 430m, 9.vi.2016, lowland rainforest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-03-1-04; Oaxaca, Uluapan, 4km NE San Bartolomé Ayautla, 18.06001 -96.64458 ± 20m, elev. 430m, 9.vi.2016,lowland rainforest, sifted litter,ADMAC#Wa-F-03-1-24; Oaxaca, Uluapan, 4km NE San Bartolomé Ayautla, 18.06001 -96.64463 ± 20m, elev. 430m, 9.vi.2016, lowland rainforest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-03-1- 25; Oaxaca, Uluapan, 4km NE San Bartolomé Ayautla, 18.05957 -96.64579 ± 20m, elev. 430m, 9.vi.2016, lowland rainforest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-03-2-02; Oaxaca, Uluapan, 4km NE San Bartolomé Ayautla, 18.05952 - 96.64588 ± 20m, elev. 430m, 9.vi.2016, lowland rainforest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-03-2-04; Oaxaca, Uluapan, 4km NE San Bartolomé Ayautla, 18.05939 -96.64615 ± 20m, elev. 420m, 9.vi.2016, lowland rainforest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-03-2-10; Oaxaca, Uluapan, 4km NE San Bartolomé Ayautla, 18.05936 -96.64619 ± 20m, elev. 420m, 9.vi.2016, lowland rainforest, sifted litter,ADMAC#Wa-F-03-2-11; Oaxaca, Uluapan, 4km NE San Bartolomé Ayautla, 18.05934 -96.64624 ± 20m, elev. 420m, 9.vi.2016, lowland rainforest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-03-2- 12; Oaxaca, Uluapan, 4km NE San Bartolomé Ayautla, 18.05925 -96.64624 ± 20m, elev. 420m, 9.vi.2016, lowland rainforest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-03-2-14; Oaxaca, Uluapan, 4km NE San Bartolomé Ayautla, 18.05889 - 96.64624 ± 20m, elev. 410m, 9.vi.2016, lowland rainforest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-03-2-22; Oaxaca, Uluapan, 4km NE San Bartolomé Ayautla, 18.05866 -96.64624 ± 20m, elev. 400m, 9.vi.2016, lowland rainforest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-03-2-25; Oaxaca, Uluapan, 4km NE San Bartolomé Ayautla, 18.0583 -96.64624 ± 20m, elev. 400m, 9.vi.2016, lowland rainforest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-03-2-33; Oaxaca, Uluapan, 4km NE San Bartolomé Ayautla, 18.05821 -96.64624 ± 20m, elev. 390m, 9.vi.2016, lowland rainforest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-03-2- 35; Oaxaca, Cafetal Carlota, 3km NW Ayautla, 18.0486 -96.69106 ± 20m, elev. 1040m, 13.vi.2016, 2° liquidambar forest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-04-1-39; Oaxaca, Cafetal Carlota, 3km NW Ayautla, 18.0486 -96.69127 ± 20m, elev. 1040m, 13.vi.2016, 2° liquidambar forest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-04-1-43; Oaxaca, Cafetal Carlota, 3km NW Ayautla, 18.0486 -96.69147 ± 20m, elev. 1040m, 13.vi.2016, 2° liquidambar forest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa- F-04-1-47; Oaxaca, Cafetal Carlota, 3km NW Ayautla, 18.04736 -96.6903 ± 20m, elev. 1040m, 13.vi.2016, 2° liquidambar forest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-04-2-01; Oaxaca, Cafetal Carlota, 3km NW Ayautla, 18.04745 - 96.69018 ± 20m, elev. 1040m, 13.vi.2016, 2° liquidambar forest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-04-2-04; Oaxaca, Cafetal Carlota, 3km NW Ayautla, 18.04753 -96.69006 ± 20m, elev. 1040m, 13.vi.2016, 2° liquidambar forest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-04-2-07; Oaxaca, Cafetal Carlota, 3km NW Ayautla, 18.04762 -96.68995 ± 20m, elev. 1040m, 13.vi.2016, 2° liquidambar forest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-04-2-10; Oaxaca, Cafetal Carlota, 3km NW Ayautla, 18.04804 -96.68954 ± 20m, elev. 1040m, 13.vi.2016, 2° liquidambar forest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-04-2-24; Oaxaca, Cafetal Carlota, 3km NW Ayautla, 18.04807 -96.68957 ± 20m, elev. 1040m, 13.vi.2016, 2° liquidambar forest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wa-F-04-2-25; Veracruz, Est. Biol. Los Tuxtlas, 18.5862 -95.07964 ± 20m, elev. 260m, 30.v.2016, tropical rainforest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wm-F-01-1-02; Veracruz, Est. Biol. Los Tuxtlas, 18.583 - 95.08223 ± 20m, elev. 360m, 30.v.2016, tropical rainforest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wm-F-01-1-04; Veracruz, 8km NNE Soteapan, 18.30208 -94.85354 ± 20m, elev. 1020m, 30.v.2016, liquidamber-oak forest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wm-F-01-1-07; Veracruz, Ruiz Cortínez, 12 km NE San Andrés Tuxtla, 18.53456 -95.13976 ± 20m, elev. 1070m, 2.vi.2016, montane wet forest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wm-F-02-1-01; Veracruz, Volcan San Martín, 18.53438 -95.19025 ± 20m, elev. 1020m, 5.vi.2016, mature forest edge near pasture, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wm-F- 02-1-04; Veracruz, Volcan San Martín, 18.54332 -95.19177 ± 20m, elev. 1110m, 5.vi.2016, mature wet forest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wm-F-02-1-05; Oaxaca, Uluapan, 4km NE San Bartolomé Ayautla, 18.05845 -96.64414 ± 20m, elev. 380m, 8.vi.2016, lowland rainforest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wm-F-03-1-01; Oaxaca, Uluapan, 4km NE San Bartolomé Ayautla, 18.05678 -96.64841 ± 20m, elev. 540m, 8.vi.2016,lowland rainforest, sifted litter,ADMAC#Wm- F-03-1-02; Oaxaca, Uluapan, 4km NE San Bartolomé Ayautla, 18.06188 -96.64635 ± 20m, elev. 640m, 11.vi.2016, lowland rainforest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wm-F-03-1-05; Oaxaca, 8km E Huautla, 18.11663 -96.7695 ± 20m, elev. 1380m, 15.vi.2016, 2° liquidambar forest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wm-F-04-1-10; Oaxaca, 10km ENE Huautla, 18.15269 -96.75035 ± 20m, elev. 1150m, 15.vi.2016, vegetated karst pinnacle, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wm-F-04-2- 01; Puebla, Cascada Las Brisas, 2km SE Cuetzalan, 20.00549 -97.50801 ± 20m, elev. 930m, 2.vii.2016, montane wet forest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wm-F-08-1-02; Puebla, Cascada Las Brisas, 2km SE Cuetzalan, 20.00545 - 97.50789 ± 20m, elev. 930m, 2.vii.2016, montane wet forest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wm-F-08-1-03; Puebla, Presa La Soledad; 11km SE Cuetzalan, 19.96599 -97.45082 ± 20m, elev. 760m, 3.vii.2016, mixed pine-hardwood forest, sifted litter, ADMAC#Wm-F-08-1-04; NICARAGUA: Matagalpa, RN Cerro Musún, 12.97283 -85.23419 ± 50m, elev. 1170m, 2.v.2011, wet montane forest, sifted litter, R.S. Anderson #RSA2011-011; Matagalpa, RN Cerro Musún, 12.97608 -85.23299 ± 50m, elev. 1250m, 2.v.2011, wet montane forest, sifted litter, R.S. Anderson #RSA2011-012; Jinotega, PN Cerro Saslaya, 13.77172 -85.01277 ± 10m, elev. 1110m, 12.v.2011, ridgetop cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-D-03-1-05; Jinotega, PN Cerro Saslaya, 13.76689 -85.02472 ± 10m, elev. 1040m, 12.v.2011, montane wet forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-D-03-2-10; Jinotega, PN Cerro Saslaya, 13.76749 - 85.02452 ± 13m, elev. 1040m, 12.v.2011, montane wet forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-D-03-2-24; Jinotega, PN Cerro Saslaya, 13.76792 -85.02438 ± 10m, elev. 1040m, 12.v.2011, montane wet forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa- D-03-2-34; Jinotega, PN Cerro Saslaya, 13.76818 -85.02429 ± 10m, elev. 1040m, 12.v.2011, montane wet forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-D-03-2-40; Jinotega, RN Datanlí El Diablo, 13.10417 -85.86806 ± 10m, elev. 1400m, 18.v.2011, cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-D-04-2-14; Jinotega, RN Datanlí El Diablo, 13.10436 -85.86787 ± 10m, elev. 1400m, 18.v.2011, cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-D-04-2-20; Jinotega, RN Datanlí El Diablo, 13.10474 -85.86748 ± 10m, elev. 1400m, 18.v.2011, cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-D-04-2-32; Jinotega, RN Cerro Kilambé, 13.56942 -85.69745 ± 10m, 1500m, 23.v.2011, cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-D-05-1- 07; Jinotega, RN Cerro Kilambé, 13.56755 -85.69695 ± 10m, elev. 1420m, 23.v.2011, cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-D-05-2-06; Jinotega, RN Cerro Kilambé, 13.56746 -85.69746 ± 10m, elev. 1400m, 23.v.2011, cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-D-05-2-18; Jinotega, RN Cerro Kilambé, 13.56745 -85.69676 ± 10m, elev. 1440m, 23.v.2011, cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-D-05-2-32; Jinotega, RN Cerro Kilambé, 13.56747 -85.69667 ± 10m, elev. 1440m, 23.v.2011, cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-D-05-2-34; Jinotega, RN Cerro Kilambé, 13.5675 -85.69644 ± 15m, elev. 1440m, 23.v.2011, cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-D-05-2-39; Jinotega, RN Cerro Kilambé, 13.56751 -85.6964 ± 10m, elev. 1440m, 23.v.2011, cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-D-05-2- 40; Jinotega, RN Cerro Kilambé, 13.56754 -85.69621 ± 10m, elev. 1440m, 23.v.2011, cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wa-D-05-2-44; Jinotega, PN Cerro Saslaya, 13.771 -85.02538 ± 30m, elev. 1140m, 13.v.2011, montane wet forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wm-D-03-2-08; Jinotega, RN Datanlí El Diablo, 13.10754 -85.86831 ± 40m, elev. 1450m, 19.v.2011, cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wm-D-04-1-07; Jinotega, RN Datanlí El Diablo, 13.10436 -85.86787 ± 150m, elev. 1400m, 18.v.2011, cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wm-D-04-2-01; Nueva Segovia, 9km NW Jalapa, 13.97735 -86.18887 ± 20m, elev. 1420m, 29.v.2011, oak cloud forest, sifted litter, LLAMA#Wm- D-06-1-05.

Etymology: The species epithet is derived from ‘ lazulum ’ (L. = sky), referring to the intensity of the brilliant blue iridescence found across the entire cuticle of this species.

Notes: Nylanderia lazulina workers have whitish meso- and metacoxae like those of N. contraria and N. luceata but are otherwise distinct and not likely to be confused with other species. Unlike all other species, it is medium to dark reddish brown with dense microsculpture that gives the overall surface of the cuticle a matte appearance. It also has a very strong blue iridescence, perhaps more intense than any other known Nylanderia species. This species is primarily found in moderate to high elevation forests ranging from Veracruz, Mexico to Nicaragua ( Fig. 2B ), and is relatively common across this range compared to other Nylanderia species.

Figures

FIGURE 2. Distributions of species: (A) N. austroccidua in the United States and northern Mexico, (B) species found across southern Mexico and Mesoamerica, and (C) N. docilis in South America. Maps were created using GPS coordinates listed in Table S1 and from the Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics (GABI; Guénard et al. 2017) database.

FIGURE 71. Line drawings of male gonopods of N. austroccidua, N. breviscapa, N. contraria, N. cf. docilis, N. lazulina, and N. usul.

FIGURES 35–37. Nylanderia lazulina holotype worker (USNMENT01131154). Lateral, full-face, and dorsal view of the body.

FIGURES 38–39. Nylanderia lazulina paratype queen (USNMENT01131866). Full-face and lateral view of the body.

FIGURES 40–43. Nylanderia lazulina paratype male (USNMENT01131339). Full-face and lateral view of the body; ventral and dorsal view of the genital capsule.