Paraparatrechina glabra

A forest species that feeds on small soil invertebrates. (Lampasona 2015)

Identification
LaPolla et al. (2010) - Elongate mesosoma (WL: 0.4–0.6), with pronotum rise of about 45° from anterior margin to dorsum; REL ≥ 20.

Compare with: Paraparatrechina myops and Paraparatrechina ocellatula. Workers of this species are easily distinguished from the other Malagasy Paraparatrechina by the presence of large eyes.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Nomenclature

 *  glabra. Prenolepis glabra Forel, 1891b: 92 (w.) MADAGASCAR. LaPolla, Cheng & Fisher, 2010: 16 (q.m.). Combination in Pr. (Nylanderia): Emery, 1914f: 422; in Paratrechina (Nylanderia): Emery, 1925b: 219; in Paraparatrechina: LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck, 2010a: 128.

LaPolla et al. (2010):

Worker
(n=39): TL: 1.38–2.22; HW: 0.35–0.48; HL: 0.41–0.58; EL: 0.1–0.129; SL: 0.47–0.64; PW: 0.25–0.33; WL: 0.44–0.66; PDH: 0.21–0.28; PrFL: 0.35–0.48; PrFW: 0.1–0.134; GL: 0.476–0.91. Indices: CI: 75–102; REL: 20–26; SI: 104–140; FI: 24–36.

Head brownish-yellow to yellowish-brown, with darker segmental and mandibular margins; head slightly longer than broad. Head pubescence variable from appressed to suberect, with a shining cuticular surface. Scapes surpass posterior margin by about the length of the first 4 funicular segments; scapes with appressed pubescence. Mesosoma brownish-yellow to yellowish-brown and elongate; fine, appressed pubescence covers entire mesosomal dorsum. Pronotum rises about 45° from anterior margin to dorsum; propodeum possesses a short, angular dorsal face with a long declivitous face. Legs are often lighter in color than the mesosoma, with the trochanters and tarsi often whitish-yellow. The gaster is similarly colored as head and mesosoma.

Queen
(n=1): TL: 5.09; HW: 1.0; HL: 0.94; EL: 0.29; SL: 0.97; PW: 1.09; WL: 1.79; PDH: 0.58; PrFL: 0.88; PrFW: 0.27; GL: 2.36. Indices: CI: 108; REL: 28; SI: 96; FI: 30.

As in worker, with modifications expected for caste. Pubescence very dense, extending from dorsum to lateral regions of the mesosoma.

Male
(n=3): TL: 2.1–2.28; HW (including eyes): 0.52–0.53; HL: 0.45–0.47; EL: 0.2–0.22; SL: 0.33–0.34; PW: 0.38–0.38; WL: 0.69–0.71; PrFL: 0.52–0.56; PrFW: 0.11–0.12; GL (including parameres): 0.94–1.1. Indices: CI: 112–115; REL: 44–46; SI: 63; FI: 6–21.

Head dark brown, with bulging large eyes that occupy most of the lateral region of the head; three prominent ocelli present. Head slightly broader than long. Palps distinctly lighter than head in color. A dense layer of pubescence covers head. Scapes surpass posterior margin by less than half of the length of the first funicular segment; scapes are slightly lighter in color than surrounding head. Antennae 13-segmented. Mandible with apical tooth and indistinct basal angle. Mesosoma dark brown as in head; pronotum short and collar-like; mesonotum large, rounded anteriorly, overarching pronotum; mesosoma dorsum flat, with suberect setae. Declivity indistinct from propodeum; propodeum lower than mesonotum and scutellum. Gaster dark brown, covered with pubescence and scattered erect setae. Parameres elongate, with scattered erect setae, especially towards apices.

Type Material
3 syntype workers examined, MADAGASCAR.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Fisher B. L. 1997. Biogeography and ecology of the ant fauna of Madagascar (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Journal of Natural History 31: 269-302.
 * Fisher B. L. 2003. Formicidae, ants. Pp. 811-819 in: Goodman, S. M.; Benstead, J. P. (eds.) 2003. The natural history of Madagascar. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, xxi + 1709 pp.
 * LaPolla J. S., C. H. Cheng, B. L. Fisher. 2010. Taxonomic revision of the ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) genus Paraparatrechina in the Afrotropical and Malagasy region. Zootaxa 2387: 1-27.
 * Lapolla, J. S., C. H. Cheng, and B. L. Fisher. "Taxonomic revision of the ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) genus Paraparatrechina in the Afrotropical and Malagasy Regions." Zootaxa 2387 (2010): 1-27.