Lordomyrma hmong, Taylor, Robert W., 2012

Taylor, Robert W., 2012, six new species from India, Viet Nam and the Philippines (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae), Zootaxa 3282, pp. 45-60 : 52

Lordomyrma hmong sp. n.

( Figs 13–20 )

Type locality: VIETNAM: LAO CAI: Ban Khoang, Sa Pa. (22°21' 0 N, 103°52' 0 E)

Type deposition: Holotype, paratype gyne: IEBR. Paratype worker: ANIC.

Distribution, material examined. Known only from the holotype, a single paratype worker and paratype dealate gyne, collected together at the type locality in the Hoang Lien Son mountains in far northern Vietnam (K. Eguchi Acc Eg 07x06-09, 07/x/2006, 1600- 1700m.).

Worker: General features as illustrated. Conformationally very similar to L. azumai . The sculpturation and pregastral pilosity essentially as described for that species. Pronotal humeral nodules equivalent to those of L. azumai present. Gaster with pilosity as in L. azumai ; smooth and strongly reflective, with minute very finely incised microstriate stellae at the base of each hair. These structures become slightly larger and more dense posteriad. Color more-or-less uniformly dark reddish-brown, the gaster more blackish-brown than elsewhere; legs and antennae, lighter, brighter orange-brown. Dimensions: (holotype, paratype): TL 4.2, 4.4; HW 0.86, 0.87; HL 0.91, 0.93; CI 94, 94; EL 0.19, 0.18; OI 22, 21; SL 0.62, 0.63; SI 72, 72; PW 0.65, 0.0.63; WL 1.22,1.21; DPW 0.28, 0.27; DPpW 0.36, 0.37; GW 1.02, 1.04.

Gyne: Generally as illustrated. Differing from the worker similarly to L. azumai . Eyes proportionately larger than in that species (OI 25 versus 20). Dimensions: TL 4.6; HW 0.84; HL 0.89; CI 94; EL 0.21; OI 25; SL -; SI -; PW 0.68; SW 0.69; WL 1.29; DPW 0.25; DPpW 0.36; GW 1.11.

Diagnosis: L. hmong is distinguished from the Japanese L. azumai by its darker, more uniform coloration, lessintensively sculptured gastral dorsum and proportionately large eyes in the gyne (see Figs). These taxa are doubtless closely related. They could represent geographical variants of a single species, and this should be considered when future collections from intermediate Chinese localities are assessed. Approximately 2,800 km separate the hmong type locality from extreme southern Japan.

Etymology: Named for the Hmong people of northern Vietnam.

Figures

FIGURES 13 – 16. Lordomyrma hmong, holotype worker, HW 0.86 mm, PW 0.65 mm, WL 1.22 mm, GW 1.02 mm.

FIGURES 17 – 20. Lordomyrma hmong, paratype gyne, HW 0.84 mm, PW 0.68 mm, WL 1.29 mm, GW 1.11 mm.