Lordomyrma mewasinghi

The type specimens of this species were collected from Pampadum Shola National Park and Karian Shola National Park, India, by Winkler extraction. These parks are located between elevations of 600 m to 1800 m with a daily temperature of 35C and have a dense canopy and leaf litter.

Identification
Lordomyrma mewasinghi shows resemblance to Lordomyrma bhutanensis and Lordomyrma nima. However, it can be distinguished from L. nima based on the following combination of characters:
 * pronotum reticulate rugose (longitudinally rugose in L. nima)
 * metanotal suture weakly impressed (strongly impressed in L. nima)
 * petiole and postpetiole densely punctate laterally (laterally transversely rugose in L. nima)
 * dorsum smooth except for few scattered punctures (reticulate rugose in L. nima)
 * smooth mandibles (longitudinally striated in L. nima)

Lordomyrma mewasinghi differs from Lordomyrma bhutanensis by the following characteristics:
 * petiolar node is thick, generally trapezoidal, and narrowed dorsally, with a roundly convex dorsum (broadly triangular, longer than the anterior peduncle, the anterior border is almost straightin L. bhutanensis)
 * postpetiolar node with a sharply toothed anteroventral corner (properly angled anteroventral corner in L. bhutanensis)
 * mesopleuron obliquely-rugose (reticulate-rugose in L. bhutanensis)
 * petiole and postpetiole densely punctate and dorsally smooth with surrounding punctures (finely reticulate-rugose petiole and postpetiole, sides of petiolar node finely obliquely rugose in L. bhutanensis)
 * smooth mandibles (striated in L. bhutanensis)

Lordomyrma bhutanensis is densely decumbent or subdecumbent hairs are present on the body. In contrast, L. mewasinghi is less pilose and pubescent compared to both the above-mentioned allied species.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 * . Lordomyrma mewasinghi Dhadwal & Bharti, 2023: 2, figs. 1-3 (w.) INDIA (Kerala).

Type Material

 * Holotype worker: India, Kerala, Pampadum shola National Park, 10.12660N, 77.25820E, Winkler extraction, 1300m, 25.i.2017, Tarun Dhadwal leg. [PUAC-T04] (“Punjabi University Patiala Ant Collection” at Department of Zoology and Environmental Sciences, Punjabi University, Patiala, Punjab, India).
 * Paratypes: 7 workers with same data as holotype [PUAC]; 2 workers, Kerala, Karian shola National Park, 10.38330N, 77.08330E, Winkler extraction, 650m, 1.ii.2017, Tarun Dhadwal Leg.