Nylanderia lepida

Identification
LaPolla et al. (2011) - Overall darker brown, with distinctly smooth and shining cuticle; mesocoxae and metacoxae whitish, with trochanters and other joints of the legs similarly whitish in color.

Compare with: Nylanderia impolita

In most instances this is an easily identified species, possessing among the shiniest cuticles of any Afrotropical Nylanderia. A few specimens examined exhibited a faintly rugulose cuticle, especially on the head and mesonotum. With these specimens, the cuticular rugosity is always much less defined than is observed in N. impolita. In instances where a faintly rugulose cuticle is observed, the overall size and the length of the scape can effectively separate N. lepida from N. impolita.

Distribution
This taxon was described from Cameroon. It is widespread throughout West Africa.

Nomenclature

 *  lepida. Prenolepis (Nylanderia) lepida Santschi, 1915c: 262, fig. 11 (w.) CAMEROUN. LaPolla, Hawkes & Fisher, 2011: 19 (q.m.). Combination in Paratrechina (Nylanderia): Emery, 1925b: 218; in Nylanderia: LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck, 2010a: 127. Senior synonym of fuscula, grisoni: LaPolla, Hawkes & Fisher, 2011: 19.
 * fuscula. Paratrechina (Nylanderia) grisoni var. fuscula Menozzi, 1942: 178 (w.) EQUATORIAL GUINEA (Bioko I.). [Also given as new in Eidmann, 1944: 460.] Combination in Nylanderia: LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck, 2010a: 127. Junior synonym of lepida: LaPolla, Hawkes & Fisher, 2011: 19.
 * grisoni. Prenolepis (Nylanderia) grisoni Forel, 1916: 440, fig. 5 (w.) DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO. Combination in Paratrechina (Nylanderia): Emery, 1925b: 218; in Nylanderia: LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck, 2010a: 127. Junior synonym of lepida: LaPolla, Hawkes & Fisher, 2011: 19.

Worker
LaPolla et al. (2011) - Measurements (n = 14): TL: 1.2–2.6; HW: 0.44–0.58; HL: 0.53–0.68; EL: 0.1–0.18; SL: 0.60–0.81; PW: 0.30–0.42; WL: 0.69–0.93; GL: 0.58–0.98

Indices: CI: 78–88; REL: 24–28; SI: 136–152

Overall dark brown with lighter mandibles, antennae, and legs; mesocoxae, metacoxae, trochanters, femurs distally, tibia, and tarsi yellowish to white; area around acidopore yellowish. Cuticle generally smooth and shining, except mesonotum, which is faintly rugulose. Head with scattered pubescence; posterior margin broadly rounded, with distinctly rounded posterolateral corners; scapes surpass posterior margin by about the length of the first three funicular segments; scapes with erect macrosetae (SMC = 12–30) and a layer of pubescence. Pronotum and mesonotum with scattered erect macrosetae of varying lengths (PMC = 3–6; MMC = 2); sparse pubescence on dorsum. Pronotum rounded towards mesonotum; mesonotal area distinct with prominent spiracles; metanotal area elongate; dorsal face of propodeum high and dome-like (higher than mesonotum); dorsal face slightly longer than declivitous face. Gaster shining, with erect macrosetae and occasional pubescence.

Queen
LaPolla et al. (2011) - Measurements (n = 2): TL: 4.1–5.4; HW: 0.71–0.92; HL: 0.76–0.83; EL: 0.31–0.42; SL: 0.81–0.92; PW: 0.95–1.24; WL: 1.2–1.5; GL: 2.2–3.1

Indices: CI: 93–110; REL: 40–50; SI: 100–114

As in worker but with modifications expected for caste. Entire body covered in a dense pubescence; eyes large, but not strongly convex, about half the length of the head lateral margin; scapes and pronotum with no erect setae (PMC = 0); mesonotum and metanotum with scattered erect setae (MMC = 13).

Male
LaPolla et al. (2011) - Measurements (n = 2): TL: 1.6–2.0; HW: 0.45–0.49; HL: 0.47–0.5; EL: 0.21–0.25; SL: 0.52–0.59; PW: 0.47–0.55; WL: 0.52–0.74; GL: 0.63–0.81

Indices: CI: 95–98; REL: 42–50; SI: 117–121

Overall brown, with lighter brown to yellow mandibles, antennae and legs (lightest on trochanters); cuticle smooth and shining. Head with suberect to erect macrosetae and a dense layer of pubescence. Compound eyes large (more than half the length of head lateral margin), strongly convex, surpassing lateral margin in full-frontal view, with ocelli large and raised. Scapes surpass posterior margin by about the length of the first 4 funicular segments; scapes with sparsely scattered, erect macrosetae (SMC = 2–4). Mandible masticatory margin edentate, except for distinct apical tooth; basal angle of mandible distinct. Mesosoma enlarged and modified to accommodate flight muscles; with dense layer of pubescence and scattered erect setae (PMC = 0; MMC = 10); declivity with scattered pubescence, largely smooth and shining. Gaster with pubescence and erect macrosetae. Genitalia: parameres broadly rounded at apices curving dorsally covering most of the dorsal opening; apical margin of parameres emarginate; ventral margin of parameres at an acute angle; cuspi elongated, apices rounded with peg-like teeth on ental surface where they meet digit; digiti apices broad; peg-like teeth at apices dorsally, ventrally coming to a narrow point that curves towards parameres.

Type Material
Holotype worker, CAMEROON: Victoria (Dr. Reichensperger) [examined].

Prenolepis (Nylanderia) grisoni 4 syntype workers, D.R. CONGO [examined].

Paratrechina (Nylanderia) grisoni var. fuscula Holotype worker, EQUATORIAL GUINEA: Fernando Po Island [not examined, depository unknown].

Additional References

 * LaPolla, J.S., Hawkes, P.G. & Fisher, B.L. (2011) Monograph of Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the World, Part I: Nylanderia in the Afrotropics. Zootaxa 3110: 10–36.