Paraparatrechina concinnata LaPolla and Cheng, sp. nov.

(Fig. 4, 16, 17)

Holotype worker, GABON: Prov. Ogooue-Martime; Res. Monts Doudou; 25.2 km 304° NW Doussala; 2°13.6’ S, 10°23.7’E; 14.iii.2000; elev. 640 m (B.L. Fisher #2246) (CASC); 1 paratype worker, same locality as holotype; 6 paratype workers, GABON: Prov. Ogooue-Martime; Res. Moukalabala; 2.2 km 305° NW Doussala; 2°17.0’S, 10°29.8’E; 24.ii.2000; elev. 110 m (B.L. Fisher #2124). (CASC; USNM)

Worker diagnosis: mesosoma elongate (WL: 0.62–0.67); head distinctly longer than broad with long scapes;

head brown, contrasting with yellowish-brown antennae and mandibles.

Compare with: P. splendida

WORKER. Measurements (n=12): TL: 1.73–2.16; HW: 0.38–0.43; HL: 0.49–0.53; EL: 0.12–0.15; SL: 0.63–0.69; PW: 0.27–0.32; WL: 0.62–0.67; PDH: 0.23–0.27; PrFL: 0.49–0.55; PrFW: 0.11–0.13; GL: 0.6– 1.05. Indices: CI: 75–86; REL: 23–28; SI: 158–173; FI: 22–25

Head brown, with contrasting yellowish-brown antennae and mandibles; cuticular surface shining; head distinctly longer than broad. Golden pubescence covers head in neat longitudinal rows. Scapes surpass posterior margin by about the length of the first 3–4 funicular segments. Mesosoma brown and elongate; golden pubescence covers entire dorsum of mesosoma in neat rows. Pronotum rise shallow, less than 45° from anterior margin to dorsum; propodeum low, with a long, rounded dorsal face; declivitous face longer. Procoxae brown, with meso/metacoxae typically whitish-yellow, although some specimens have completely brown coxae; trochanters white; femurs are lighter brown, with white tarsi; gaster brown.

Etymology. The species epithet is a Latin adjective for skillfully put together, in reference to the elongated, graceful mesosoma and head of this species.

Non-type material examined: CAMEROON: Abongmbang, 27.xi.1988 (A. Dejean); Bakundu, 8.xi.1990 (A. Dejean); Mbalmayo, xi.1991 (N. Stork); Mbalmayo, xi.1993 (N. Stork); Nkoemvon, viii.1979 (D. Jackson); Nkoemvon, 27.ii.1980 (D. Jackson); CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: PN Dzanga-Ndoki, 21.4 km 53° NE Bayanga, 16° 24.57’ E, 3° 2.1’ N, 6.v.2001, elev. 510 m (S. van Noort); PN Dzanga-Ndoki, 38.6 km 173° S Lidjombo, 16° 3.20’ E, 3° 21.60’ N, 26–27.v.2001, elev. 350 m (S. van Noort); PN Dzanga- Ndoki, Mabea Bai, 21.4 km 53 0 NE Bayanga, 16° 24.36’ E, 3° 2.0’ N, 4.v.2001, elev. 510 m (S. van Noort); PN Dzanga-Ndoki, 38.6 km 173° S Lidjombo, 16° 3.20’ E, 2° 21.60’ N, 25.v.2001, elev. 350 m (S. van Noort); PN Dzanga-Ndoki, Mabea Bai, 21.4 km 53° NE Bayanga, 16° 25’ E, 3° 2’ N, 1–7.v.2001, elev. 510 m (B.L. Fisher); PN Dzanga-Ndoki, Mabea Bai, 21.4 km 53° NE Bayanga, 16° 25’ E, 3° 2’ N, 17.v.2001, elev. 510 m (B.L. Fisher); Res. Dzanga-Sangha, 12.7km 326° NW Bayanga, 16° 11.55’ E, 3° 0.27’ N, 12– 13.v.2001, elev. 420 m (S. van Noort); Res. Dzanga-Sangha, 12.7 km 326° NW Bayanga, 16° 12’ E, 3° 0’ N, 10–17.v.2001, elev. 420 m (B. L. Fisher); Res. Dzanga-Sangha, 12.7 km 326° NW Bayanga, 16° 11.55’ E, 3° 0.27’ N, 13.v.2001, elev. 420 m (S. van Noort); GABON: La Makande, Forêt des Abeilles, i.–ii.1999 (S. Lewis); Prov. Ogooue-Maritime, Reserve des Monts Doudou, 24.3 km 307° NW Doussala, 10° 24.35’ E, 2° 13.35’ S, 8–9.iii.2000, elev. 350 m (S. van Noort); Prov. Ogooue-Maritime, Res. Monts Doudou, 25.2 km 304° NW Doussala, 10° 23.7’ E, 2° 13.6’ S, 14.iii.2000, elev. 640 m (B.L. Fisher); Prov. Ogooue-Maritime, Res. Monts Doudou, 25.2 km 304° NW Doussala, 10° 23.67’ E, 2° 13.63’ S, 15.iii.2000, elev. 660 m (S. van Noort); Prov. Ogooue-Maritime, Res. Des Monts, 10° 23.40’ E, 2° 13.38’ S, 16.iii.2000, elev. 660 m (S. van Noort); Prov. Ogooue-Maritime, Res. Moukalaba, 12.2 km 305° NW Doussala, 10° 29.8’ E, 2° 17.0’ S, 24.ii.2000, elev. 110 m (B.L. Fisher); Prov. Ogooue-Maritime, Res. De la Moukalaba Dougoua, 12.2 km 305° NW Doussala, 10° 29.83’ E, 2° 17.0’ S, 29.ii.2000, elev. 110 m (S. van Noort)

Notes. This species is probably closely related to P. s p l e n d i d a, with whom it is most likely to be confused. See notes for P. splendida for further discussion.