Prenolepis nepalensis

Identification
Williams and LaPolla (2018) - Posterolateral borders of the clypeus are shallow, making the cuticle of the clypeus appear continuous with that of the gena. Three small ocelli present. Mesosoma is robust and compact. Pronotum is rounded and discontinuous with the mesonotum, which forms a dorsal hump anteriorly. Petiole is forward-inclined, subtriangular, and not elongate. A distinct sparsity of long macrosetae on the head and mesosoma. Scapes and legs with an abundance of smaller, decumbent setae and pubescence.

This species most strongly resembles the other three that are known from Nepal and nearby regions (Prenolepis darlena, Prenolepis fisheri, and Prenolepis fustinoda) but can most readily be distinguished by its lack of long, erect macrosetae and distinct body shape. Of these four species, P. nepalensis is the only one to have: (1) relatively shallow posterolateral clypeal borders, making the cuticle of the clypeus and gena appear continuous; (2) a sparse layer of pubescence or decumbent hairs across the mesosoma, rather than an abundance of erect macrosetae; (3) scapes that are densely covered in pubescence and lack erect macrosetae; (4) a distinctly more robust and compact mesosoma, with the mesonotum rounded and rising above the pronotum; and (5) a forward-inclined triangular petiole that is relatively short in length.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Nepal.

Nomenclature

 *  nepalensis. Prenolepis nepalensis Williams & LaPolla, 2018: 178, figs. 13-15 (w.) NEPAL.

Worker
(n=1): CMC: 2; EL: 0.19; HL: 0.72; HW: 0.67; MMC: 0; PMC: 2; PrMC: 2; SL: 0.75; TL: 2.86; WL: 0.92; CI: 93; REL: 26; REL2: 28; SI: 112.

Uniformly medium to dark brown head, mesosoma, gaster, legs, and antennae; entire cuticle smooth and shiny, with some light reticulation on head and gaster; sparse erect macrosetae on head and mesosoma; longer erect macrosetae on gaster; no erect macrosetae on scapes or legs, except for long, erect hairs on lateral margins of procoxae; decumbent setae and sparse pubescence cover entire head, mesosoma, and gaster; scapes and legs covered in dense pubescence; head about as broad as long and subtriangular in shape, with indistinct posterolateral corners; three small ocelli present; eyes moderately large and convex, but do not surpass lateral margins of head in full-face view; torulae overlap with posterior border of clypeus; clypeus without prominent anterolateral lobes; posterolateral borders of clypeus also relatively shallow, so that cuticle of clypeus and gena appears continuous; mandibles with 5 teeth on masticatory margin; ectal surface of mandibles smooth and shiny; in profile view, mesosoma is overall robust and compact; pronotum is rounded and discontinuous with mesonotum, which is also rounded and abruptly rises above pronotum, and declines posteriorly; metathoracic spiracles abruptly rise above the mesonotum at the point of mesosomal constriction; propodeum is slightly rounded with a flattened dorsal face; dorsal apex of petiole scale is low in profile and forward-inclined.

Type Material
Holotype worker, Nepal: 4 km SSW Pokhara; 28°12'N, 83°58'E; elev. 900 m; Schima-Castanopsis forest; low vegetation; 10.xii.1988; P.S. Ward 9670-7 (ANTWEB CASENT0281462).

Etymology
The specific epithet is named after the country of Nepal, where the holotype was collected.