Nylanderia scintilla LaPolla and Fisher

Lapolla, John S., Hawkes, Peter G. & Fisher, Brian L., 2011, Monograph of Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the World, Part I: Nylanderia in the Afrotropics, Zootaxa 3110, pp. 10-36 : 22-23

Nylanderia scintilla LaPolla and Fisher , sp. nov.

( Figs. 46–48 , 83 [worker])

Holotype worker, IVORY COAST: Palmeraie Lame, no. 86, 13.ii.1976 (T. Diomande) ( BMNH); 9 paratype workers same label data as holotype; 3 paratype workers, IVORY COAST: Palmeraie Lame, no. 87; 5.iii.1976 (T. Diomande) ( BMNH, USNM).

Worker diagnosis: Head width less than 0.51 mm; brownish-yellow species, with very short, angular propodeal dorsal face; all coxae the same color.

Compare with: N. boltoni and N. umbella

WORKER. Measurements (n = 4): TL: 1.8–2.0; HW: 0.4–0.45; HL: 0.51–0.55; EL: 0.11–0.13; SL: 0.54–0.59; PW: 0.3–0.33; WL: 0.54–0.62; GL: 0.74–0.92

Indices: CI: 78–82; REL: 22–24; SI: 125–135

Overall brownish-yellow, often with slightly darker head and gaster, and always with distinctly lighter antennae and legs; coxae all the same color; cuticle smooth and shining. Head with dense layer of short pubescence; scapes surpass posterior margin by about length of first 2–3 funicular segments; scapes with scattered erect macrosetae (SMC = 13–20); head roughly quadrate in appearance with more angular-shaped posterolateral cornors present; posterior margin slightly emarginate medially. Mesosoma with macrosetae of varying lengths on pronotum (PMC = 2–5; MMC = 2); pubescence sparse with small patches on dorsum of mesonotum and propodeum; metanotal area compact; dorsal face of propodeum short and angular, slightly lower than mesonotum; declivitous face distinctly longer than dorsal face. Gaster with scattered erect macrosetae and dense layer of short pubescence giving gaster a somewhat silky appearance.

The queen and male castes are currently unknown for this species.

Etymology. The specific epithet scintilla (L. = spark) is in reference to the yellow color, shiny pubescence and small size of this species.

Non-type material examined. NIGERIA: Gambari, 18.vi.1969 (B. Bolton).

Notes. This species is most likely to be confused with N. boltoni , however there are several diagnostic morphological features that can be used to separate the two species. In N. scintilla the coxae are all the same color (not with lighter meso/metacoxae), and the head is more quadrate than in N. boltoni . Nylanderia boltoni , N. scintilla , and N. umbella appear to be closely related based on overall worker morphology. Comparing male morphology would be instructive, but at present only the male of N. boltoni is known.

Figures

FIGURES 46 – 60. Afrotropical Nylanderia species in various views: scintilla (worker, 46 – 48, CASENT 0179579, Ivory Coast); silvula (worker, 49 – 51, LACMENT 272717; queen 52 – 54, LACMENT 272721; male, 55 – 57, LACMENT 272719; all from Kenya); umbella (worker, 58 – 60, CASENT 0179583, Cameroon)

FIGURES 73 – 88. Scapes of Afrotropical Nylanderia species (workers only): boltoni (73, CASENT 0179580, Gabon); bourbonica (74, CASENT 0101309, Reunion); brevisetula (75, CASENT 0090304, Central African Republic); impolita (76, CASENT 0179589, Gabon); incallida (77, CASENT 0179576, Ivory Coast); jaegerskioeldi (78, CASENT 0179577, Kenya); lepida (79, CASENT 0179591, Gabon); luteafra (80, CASENT 0179584, Gabon); mendica (81, CASENT 0179590, Gabon); natalensis (82, CASENT 0396096, South Africa); scintilla (83, CASENT 0179579, Ivory Coast); silvula (84, LACMENT 272717, Kenya); umbella (85, CASENT 0179583, Cameroon); usambarica (86, CASENT 0235343, Tanzania); vaga (87, CASENT 0104253, U. S. A); vividula (88, CASENT 0103260, U. S. A.)