Ooceraea decamera

Identification
Ooceraea decamera and Ooceraea joshii are distinctly separated from the other valid congeners by having 10-segmented antennae. Furthermore, these two species are well distinguished from each other by a combination of the following characters
 * head shape (almost as long as broad in O. joshii, rectangular, distinctly longer than broad in O. decamera)
 * presence of ommatidia (present in O. joshii and absent in O. decamera)
 * propodeal lobes (reduced versus roundly produced)
 * petiolar node in lateral view (hemiglobular versus rectangular)
 * subpetiolar process (anteroventral part sickle-shaped versus forming a rectangular and semitransparent lobe)
 * pilosity (head and body comparatively more pilose in O. joshii)
 * sculpturation (head, mesosoma, petiolar, postpetiolar node, and gaster with more pronounced foveolate sculpture in O. joshii)

Distribution
Known only from the type locality. The place has been transformed into agricultural land and is prone to anthropogenic activities. Thus, this reinforces the concept that important biodiversity components, which are already rare, are imperiled due to local extinctions.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 * . Ooceraea decamera Bharti, Rilta & Dhadwal, 2021: 171, figs. 5-9 (w.) INDIA.

Description
Worker

Head in full-face view rectangular, distinctly longer than broad (CI 74), with lateral sides weakly convex, with posterior margin concave medially, with occipital lobes/corners angulate. Anterior clypeal margin slightly projecting forward. Eyes absent. Parafrontal ridge prominent and elevated. Mandibles edentate but weakly serrate. Antennae with 10 segments; scape short, clavate, slightly surpassing the mid-length of head. Frontal lobes reduced. Antennal sockets fully exposed from above.

Mesosoma in lateral view almost flat; promesonotal suture and metanotal groove absent. Pronotum in dorsal view with anterior margin weakly and roundly convex, with humeral corner rounded. Propodeum in dorsal view with posterior margin concave; propodeal declivity in lateral view almost straight, with lateral margin marginate; propodeal lobe roundly produced. Petiolar node in dorsal view subtrapezoidal, distinctly broader than long, in lateral view rectangular with anterior and posterior margins almost straight and dorsal margin weakly convex. Subpetiolar process well-developed, with anteroventral part forming a rectangular and semitransparent lobe. Postpetiole broader than long, anterior margin weakly concave and posterior margin weakly convex, in lateral view with anteroventral part broadly and roundly produced. Gastral segment I (abdominal segment IV) large occupying the most part of gaster, in lateral view with dorsal margin almost straight, base of cinctus of first gastral tergite cross-ribbed.

Sculpture: Head, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole shallowly foveolate-reticulate; mandibles and dorsal surface of gaster sparsely foveolate, foveae somewhat smaller as compared to those present on head, mesosoma, petiole, and postpetiole. Pilosity and pubescence: Whole body covered with pale yellow erect and sub-erect hairs; appressed pubescence abundant on antennae and legs. Body coloration: Mandibles, antennae, legs, subpetiolar process and gaster light brown; head, mesosoma and gaster dark brown.

Measurements (Holotype): HL 0.62; HW 0.46; SL 0.26; MW 0.38; ML 0.78; PL 0.26; PH 0.42; PW 0.30; PPL 0.34; PPH 0.41; PPW 0.40; CI 74; SI 57; PI1 62; PI2 93; PPI1 81; PPI2 118; WI 133.

Queen

Unknown

Male

Unknown

Etymology

The species epithet decamera refers to the ten-segmented antennal count.