Pseudolasius diversus

This species seems to be rare in Shivalik range of Northwest Himalaya and was found mostly under stones in a primary, subtropical, semi-evergreen forest with relatively high annual precipitation. It was encountered in a single locality of a reserved forest area (Rajaji Forest Area), in Uttarakhand during the intensive surveys.

Identification
Wachkoo and Bharti (2014) - Pseudolasius diversus mostly resembles the Chinese species Pseudolasius bidenticlypeus but can be easily separated from it by 5-toothed mandible whilst latter possess 6-toothed mandible. Scapes are longer in P. bidenticlypeus almost reaching posterior margin of head in major and easily surpassing posterior margin in minor and media whereas in Pseudolasius diversus scapes reach only up to three-fourths of posterior margin in major and never surpass the posterior margin in media and minor.

Key to Pseudolasius of India

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 *  diversus. Pseudolasius diversus Wachkoo & Bharti, 2014: 275, figs. 1-16 (s.w.q.m.) INDIA.

Worker
Holotype: HL 1126; HW 1108; HS 1117; EL 118; SL 681; PW 678; WL 1082; FL 743; FW 227; GL 1446; TL 3654. Indices: CI 0.98; SI 0.61; REL 0.10.

Paratypes: HL 656-1134; HW 629-1103; HS 638-1112; EL 78-118; SL 549-722; PW 454-713; WL 795-1136; FL 512-740; FW 150-234; GL 1054-1466; TL 2505-3722. Indices: CI 0.82-1.00; SI 0.61- 0.88; REL 0.07-0.14 (n=29).

Head roughly heart-like in major worker, subrectangular in media and subquadrate in minor, as long as wide in major and minor workers, distinctly elongate in media workers. Posterior margin with a strong “v” shaped impression medially in major and media, weakly concave in minor; posterolateral corners rounded; sides parallel in media and minor, in major convex anteriorly, subparallel and gently converging posteriorly. Frontal carinae, nearly parallel with sides of head, not extending past posterior margin of eyes. Anterolateral corner of clypeus bluntly toothed; scape just reaches posterolateral corner in minor worker, shorter in media reaching four-fifths and even short in major worker reaching three-fourths of posterolateral corner; antennal segments 3-9 longer than wide; mandible with five teeth, fifth one mostly reduced.

In lateral view, promesonotum convex in minor and media relatively flat in major; metanotal groove strongly developed; metanotal area short but distinct. Propodeum low, nearly flat above with sides diverging basally; propodeal spiracle rounded; declivity steep. Petiole low triangular, inclined forward with posterior face longer than anterior face, dorsum mostly emarginate, transverse in some minor workers. First gastral segment with concave anterior face, receives the petiole.

Head and gaster with abundant appressed pubescence, mesosoma sparsely pubescent; head, scape, legs and gaster with abundant short erect setae, denser on gaster; relatively longer erect setae cover clypeus and mesosoma. Mandibles with short, curved setae near masticatory borders; anterior clypeal margin with a few, longer, anteriorly directed setae medially and fringe of short setae towards mandibular bases.

Full-grown workers yellowish brown, fairly microreticulate with dull and opaque cuticle; nanitic workers light yellow with superficial sculpturing and relatively shiny cuticle.

Queen
HL 958-987; HW 918-938; HS 938-962; EL 259-279; SL 842-861; WL 1700-1762; FL 768-782; FW 198-220; GL 2748-2791; TL 5406- 5540. Indices: CI 0.95-0.96; SI 0.92; REL 0.27-0.28 (n=2).

Gyne similar to worker with usual differences indicating caste, including three ocelli, complete thoracic structure and wings. Head similar to minor worker, subquadrate with broadly emarginate posterior margin. Scape surpasses the posterior margin of head by about one-fifth its length. Propodeum indistinct. Body light yellow colored with feebler sculpture. Pubescence abundant on body including mesosoma, erect setae shorter and sparser than in conspecific worker caste.

Male
HL 525-552; HW 508- 531; HS 516-540; EL 228-240; SL 528-550; WL 972-1095; FL 637-661; FW 130-142; GL 1122-1181; TL 2620-2824. Indices: CI 0.95-0.96; SI 1.04-1.05; REL 0.43-0.44 (n=5). Head oval, as long as wide excluding large compound eyes; eyes subglobulose, bulging, projecting well beyond head outline in full-face view; three prominent ocelli present. Antennae 13 segmented, filiform, scapes long, surpass posterior margin by about three-tenths their length. Anterolateral corner of clypeus bluntly toothed. Mandibles slender, armed with three teeth, apical one prominent, large and pointed, basal tooth small, blending seamlessly into inner mandibular margin.

Mesosoma modified for presence of wing; in lateral view scutum and scutellum flat; propodeum indistinct, not higher than remainder of notum with very short dorsal face and long declivitous face. Petiole as in worker; gaster elongated.

Parameres paddle-shaped, turning slightly inward toward midline of body posteriorly; long setae extending off parameres. Cuspi long and tubular, bent toward digiti; digiti weakly anvil-shaped; curved outward and covered with short peg-like teeth. Penis valves projecting.

Body mostly smooth and shiny; erect setae shorter and sparser but pubescence as in worker caste. Color light yellow, head mostly brownish.

Type Material
Holotype (Major worker): India, Uttarakhand, Rajaji Forest Area, 30.2483°N 77.9878°E, 660m.a.s.l., 11.viii.2009, hand collecting (coll. Aijaz A. Wachkoo). Paratypes: 24 workes, 2 gynes and 6 males, with same data as holotype; 7 workers, 5.viii.2009; 55 workers 6.viii.2009; 30 workers 13.viii.2009; 62 workers 6.ix.2010, same data as holotype.

Etymology
The species is named for its morphologically diverse worker caste.