Nylanderia pearsei

Nylanderia pearsei
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Arthropoda
Class:	Insecta
Order:	Hymenoptera
Family:	Formicidae
Subfamily:	Formicinae
Tribe:	Lasiini
Genus:	Nylanderia
Species:	N. pearsei
Binomial name
	Nylanderia pearsei; Wheeler, W.M., 1938

Identification

This species belongs to a cavernicolous, microphthalmic (cave-living, small-eyed) group that includes the Cuban species Nylanderia myops. It is distinctly larger than this species and the eyes, though small compared with those of other species of the genus, are distinctly larger (those of Nylanderia myops have only 4-5 facets in their greatest diameter) and the conformation of the thorax and petiole is quite different. (Wheeler 1938)

Distribution

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists

Neotropical Region: Mexico (type locality).

Distribution based on AntMaps

Distribution based on AntWeb specimens

Check data from AntWeb

Countries Occupied

Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species.

Estimated Abundance

Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species.

Biology

Castes

Nomenclature

The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.

pearsei. Nylanderia pearsei Wheeler, W.M. 1938: 254 (w.) MEXICO. Combination in Paratrechina: Brandão, 1991: 367; in Nylanderia: LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck, 2010a: 127.

Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.

Description

Worker

Length 2.5-2.7 mm.

Head subrectangular, as broad as long without the clypeus and mandibles and as broad in front as behind, with evenly convex sides, rounded posterior corners and slightly sinuate posterior border. Eyes slightly in front of the middle, small, with only 8-9 facets in their greatest diameter. Mandibles very narrow at the base, with oblique 5-toothed apical borders, the second and fourth tooth smaller than the others. Clypeus convex and subcarinate in the middle, depressed laterally, its anterior border projecting, entire, semicircularly rounded. Frontal area very distinct, small, transversely elliptical; frontal carinae subparallel; frontal groove replaced by a short, linear convexity. Antennae long and slender; scapes extending somewhat more than half their length beyond the posterior border of the head; first funicular joint nearly twice as long as the second, which is twice as long as broad, succeeding joints longer. Thorax elongate; pronotum with neck as long as broad, not convex; mesonotum slightly longer than broad, parallel-sided, rounded behind, flattened or even slightly concave, sloping and bounded by impressed sutures; metanotum distinct, with prominent spiracles which are somewhat farther apart than their diameter; mesoepinotal constriction pronounced; base and declivity of epinotum subequal, the former very convex, the latter flat and sloping; epinotal spiracles projecting. Petiolar scale thick, blunt, strongly inclined forward, its superior border from behind semicircular. Gaster of the usual shape. Legs long and slender.

Shining; sides of head and especially dorsal surface of gaster more opaque, the surface finely reticulate, the gaster more sharply than the remainder of the body.

Pilosity abundant, the stout erect hairs, or macrochaetae pointed, dark brown or blackish, very conspicuous on the dorsal surface, on the legs shorter and white at their tips; seapes with numerous suberect and more delicate white hairs; clypeus, dorsal surface of head and gula with conspicuous long white hairs, which are mingled with the dark macrochaetae on the front. Pubescence white, dilute and conspicuous on the funiculi, gula and sides of head; much finer, denser, more appressed and generally distributed on the remainder of the body and on the legs.

Yellow; appendages scarcely paler; head, clypeus and mandibles slightly reddish; mandibular teeth red.

Type Material

Described from 12 workers from the Muruztun Cave, Tizamin (type-locality), "from a big midden pile of a leaf-cutter mound above cave"; six workers from the Balaam Canche Cave, Chichen Itza, Temple Pool, 260 m. from mouth and six workers from the Chac Mol Cave, Tohil, under stones at top, not mouth.

References

Brandão, C. R. F. 1991. Adendos ao catálogo abreviado das formigas da região Neotropical (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Rev. Bras. Entomol. 35: 319-412 (page 367, Combination in Paratrechina)
Griebenow, Z.H., Isaia, M., Moradmand, M. 2022. A remarkable troglomorphic ant, Yavnella laventa sp. nov. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Leptanillinae), identified as the first known worker of Yavnella Kugler by phylogenomic inference. Invertebrate Systematics 36(12), 1118-1138 (doi:10.1071/is22035).
Wheeler, W. M. 1938. Ants from the caves of Yucatan. Pp. 251-255 in: Pearse, A. S. Fauna of the caves of Yucatan. Carnegie Inst. Wash. Publ. 491:1-304. (page 254, worker described)

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

Fernandes, P.R. XXXX. Los hormigas del suelo en Mexico: Diversidad, distribucion e importancia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae).
Reddell J. R., and J. C. Cokendolpher. 2001. Ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) from caves of Belize, Mexico, and California and Texas (U.S.A.) Texas. Texas Memorial Museum Speleological Monographs 5: 129-154.
Vásquez-Bolaños M. 2011. Lista de especies de hormigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) para México. Dugesiana 18: 95-133
Wheeler W. M. 1938. Ants from the caves of Yucatan. Pp. 251-255 in: Pearse, A. S. 1938. Fauna of the caves of Yucatan. Carnegie Institution of Washington Publication 491: 1-304.