Paratrechina usambarica (LaPolla & Fisher)
  Type location Tanzania (Nylanderia usambarica LaPolla,
Hawkes & Fisher, 2011: 24, illustrated, worker) Tange, P S
Hawkes, 1-4.xi.2005  .
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Holotype worker,
TANZANIA:
Tanga Region, Nilo Forest Reserve, 1006 m, 4.91456 S, 38.67712 E,
1–4.ix.2005,
CEPF-4.4-F24, (P. Hawkes, J. Makwati, R. Mtana) (SAMC)
(SAM-HYM-C020684); 11 paratype workers, 9 same label data as holotype,
1 same data but CEPF-4.2-F35, 1 same data but
CEPF-4.4-F33 (USNM, CASC, NMKE, SAMC)
Worker diagnosis: Abundant macrosetae of varying lengths on pronotum
(PSC = 10–22); macrosetae on head, mesosoma and legs dark and
contrasting strongly with the much
lighter cuticle; propodeal dorsum not domed (Figs. 61–63, 86).
Compare with: N. luteafra,
N. natalensis and N. jaegerskioeldi
WORKER. Measurements (n = 6): TL: 2.3–2.8; HW: 0.55–0.64; HL:
0.67–0.74; EL: 0.14–0.16; SL: 0.73–0.80; PW: 0.41–0.47; WL: 0.77–0.90;
GL: 0.90–1.4
Indices: CI: 82–87; REL: 20–22; SI: 123–133
Overall golden yellow-brown, with lighter golden yellow antennae and
legs; head and gaster slightly darker than mesosoma; legs nearly
uniform in color, with coxae and trochanters
slightly lighter than the remaining segments; cuticle smooth and
shining but with faint, almost effaced shagreening,
which is more noticeable on lateral propodeum and gaster; macrosetae on
head, mesosoma and legs dark and
contrasting strongly with the much lighter cuticle; macrosetae on
scapes lighter. Head dorsally with
abundant macrosetae and a layer of fine pubesence which becomes sparse
anterolaterally; posterior margin distinctly
emarginate medially; posterolateral corners strongly rounded and sides
convex, giving the head a distinctly rounded
appearance in full face view; scapes surpass posterior margin of head
by about the length of the first 3–4 funicular
segments; scapes with scattered erect macrosetae and a dense layer of
pubescence (SMC = 24–32). Mesosoma with
erect macrosetae of varying lengths on pronotum and mesonotum (PMC =
10–22; MMC = 3–4); pubescence sparse
and scattered on pronotum and mesonotum; metanotal area compact; dorsal
face of propodeum short and
low (lower than mesonotum), rounding broadly into the longer
declivitous face; propodeal dorsum and sides
with pubescence; declivity smooth and shining with no pubescence.
Gaster with erect macrosetae and a layer of sparse
pubescence.
The queen and male castes are currently unknown for this species.
Etymology. The specific epithet usambarica
refers to the East Usambara
mountain range in which the type series was collected.
Notes. This species is currently known only from its type locality in
Tanzania. It is most likely to be confused
with callows of N. natalensis
and N. jaegerskioeldi but it
can be separated from these by the higher PMC and the
distinctly indented posterior margin of the head. While the color of N. usambarica is similar to that of
N. luteafra,
these species can be readily distinguished by the strongly domed
propodeal profile of the latter. N.
usambarica has
the highest PMC of any Afrotropical Nylanderia
species currently known.
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The
photomontage of what I presume to be the type worker is collated from