Paratrechina antsingy

This species is restricted to Madagascar were it is found in dry forest habitats.

Identification
Cuticle smooth and very shiny; brown with patches of lighter cuticle across body, giving species a mottled appearance; SI less than 195.


 * Key to Paratrechina Species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  antsingy. Paratrechina antsingy LaPolla & Fisher, 2014: 43, figs 4-6 (w.) MADAGASCAR.

Holotype worker. MADAGASCAR: Province Antsiranna, Montagne Français, 7.2 km 142° SE Diego Suarezi, 180m, 12°19'S, 49°20'E, 22–28.ii.2001, Fisher et al. CASENT0906916 (CASC).

Paratypes. 12 paratype workers with same locality information as holotype (BMNH, CASC, USNM). Worker diagnosis. Cuticle smooth and very shiny; brown with patches of lighter cuticle across body, giving species a mottled appearance; SI less than 195.

Description
''Worker. Measurements (n=6)'' TL: 2.07–2.69; HW: 0.58–0.60; HL: 0.67–0.70; EL: 0.17–0.19; SL: 1.02–1.08; PW: 0.40–0.44; WL: 0.97–1.02; GL: 0.76–1.05; PFL: 0.74–0.78 CI: 84–89; REL: 26–28; REL2: 29–32; SI: 177–180; SMC: 24–30; PMC: 4–5; MMC: 3–4.

Brown with lighter areas on mandibles, antennae, lateral portions of head, mesonotum, pronotum, mesonotum, trochanters and joints of femora; first gastral tergite with mottled lighter and darker areas; cuticle smooth and very shiny, except for mesonotum, metanotal area and propodeum being slightly rugolose; scapes, head, pronotum, mesonotum and gaster with abundant macrosetae; scapes with short, appressed pubescence. Head ovate; posterolateral corners rounded with complete posterior margin; midpoint of eyes at approximately midline of head; eyes convex; 3 small ocelli present; mandibles with 5 teeth; apical tooth the longest, 3rd tooth from apical shortest, remainder about the same size; outer mandibular surface with slight striations across surface. In lateral view, pronotum convex; pronotal/mesonotal margin with mesonotum raised slightly above margin; propodeum convex with dorsal face rising steeply to a rounded peak with steep declivitous face; metanotal suture with distinct impression that extends down along the mesopleural/metapleural margin.

Etymology
The specific epithet is derived from the name of the province where the species was found.