Prenolepis darlena

Identification
Williams and LaPolla (2016) - Three small ocelli present; petiole low in profile and very narrow and elongate (PetWI < 55) with a rounded dorsal apex of the scale); erect setae on scapes; head square in shape.

Similar species. Prenolepis fisheri, Prenolepis fustinoda. This species is most similar to P. fustinoda in that the petiole is elongate with a scale that is low in profile. The scale however does not have the distinct club-like shape that is seen in P. fustinoda. The head in this species is also square in shape with a straight posterior margin, while in P. fisheri and P. fustinoda the head is subtriangular with a weakly convex posterior margin.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Nepal, Thailand.

Nomenclature

 *  darlena. Prenolepis darlena Williams & LaPolla, 2016: 219, figs 63-65 (w.) NEPAL.

Worker
(n=3): CMC: 28–34; EL: 0.23–0.26; EW: 0.18–0.21; HL: 0.70–0.78; HLA: 0.38–0.42; HLP: 0.17–0.19; HW: 0.69–0.78; IOD: 0.45–0.49; LF1: 0.16–0.18; LF2: 0.07; LHT: 0.79–0.95; MMC: 1–3; MTW: 0.37–0.45; MW: 0.27–0.31; PDH: 0.31–0.32; PMC: 2–6; PrCL: 0.39–0.45; PrCW: 0.24–0.29; PrFL: 0.66–0.75; PrFW: 0.19–0.22; PTH: 0.21–0.25; PTL: 0.35–0.47; PTW: 0.18–0.24; PW: 0.48–0.52; SL: 0.78– 0.91; TL: 2.64–3.10; WF1: 0.05–0.07; WF2: 0.05–0.06; WL: 0.93–1.04; BLI: 133–136; CI: 98–100; EPI: 195– 233; FLI: 242–258; HTI: 114–123; PetHI: 67–69; PetWI: 51–54; PrCI: 60–69; PrFI: 28–30; REL: 32–34; REL2: 33–34; REL3: 51–54; SI: 113–120.

Light brown; cuticle of head lightly reticulate; cuticle of pronotum smooth and shiny; cuticle of gaster lightly reticulate; long, erect setae on scapes, head, mesosoma, and legs; head as broad as long and square in shape with rounded posterolateral corners; posterior margin straight; three small ocelli present; eyes moderately large and convex, but do not surpass the lateral margins of the head in full-face view; torulae do not touch the posterior border of the clypeus; clypeus strongly medially convex and without prominent anterolateral lobes; mandibles with 5–6 teeth on the masticatory margin; ectal surface of mandibles smooth and shiny; in profile view, propodeum is domed with a rounded dorsal face; petiole low in profile and very narrow and elongate (PetWI < 55) with a rounded dorsal apex of the scale.

Type Material
Holotype worker. NEPAL: 16km ENE Baglung, 28°18’N 83°46’E, 1100m, Schima-Castanopsis forest, 27.xi.1988 (P.S. Ward) (: USNMENT00755129); 2 paratype workers, same locality as holotype (: USNMENT00755162).

Etymology
The specific epithet is named after the first author’s mother, Darlene.