Parasyscia hashimotoi

The true status of this species is uncertain. It is similar to Parasyscia reticulata Emery from Taiwan, Parasyscia dohertyi Emery from Sumatra and Borneo, and Parasyscia salimani from Java. Very rare. (Japanese Ant Image Database)

Identification
Terayama (1996) - May most resemble Parasyscia dohertyi from Borneo. However, it is separated from the latter by the smaller eyes, smooth surface of head and propodeum, smaller punctures on head, and small body size.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: Japan.

Nomenclature

 *  hashimotoi. Cerapachys hashimotoi Terayama, 1996: 18, figs. 30-33 (w.) JAPAN.
 * Combination in Parasyscia: Borowiec, M.L. 2016: 205.
 * Status as species: Imai, et al. 2003: 210.

Worker
Holotype. HL 0.73 mm; HW 0.58 mm; SL 0.40 mm; CI 79; SI 69; WL 1.00 mm; PNL 0.38 mm; PH 0.50 mm; DPW 0.40 mm; TL 3.3 mm.

Head rectangular with subparallel sides and concave posterior margin in frontal view; posterolateral comers forming an acute angle; frons, gena and vertex smooth with large punctures coarsely; diameter of punctures ca. 0.03 mm; punctures separated by 0.2-0.4 x their own diameters. Mandibles triangular; masticatory margin with more than 10 small denticles. Antennae with 12 segments; scape 0.69 x head width, broadest at posterior end, maximum width 2.75 x minimum width; pedicel as long as wide; 3rd to 11th segments each distinctly wider than long; terminal segment 2.3 x as long as wide, longer than preceding 3 segments combined. Eyes present, 0.07 mm in maximum diameter, each consisting of relatively indistinct 10 facets.

Alitrunk smooth with large punctures coarsely like head; anterior margin carinate; posterolateral corners angulate.

Petiole subrectangular; anterior and posterior margins straight and dorsal margin very weakly convex in lateral view; sculpture as on alitrunk; in dorsal view, disc slightly wider than long, widest at posterior end with maximum width 1.36 x minimum width. Postpetiole slightly higher than long excluding presclerite and slightly longer than petiole in lateral view; in dorsal view, postpetiole 0.90 x as long as wide, with dorsal width 1.25 x petiole width.

Gaster coarsely punctate; punctures distinctly smaller than those on alitrunk and head. First gastral tergite as long as wide in dorsal view; maximum width 0.70 mm.

Body reddish brown; legs yellowish brown. Suberect golden hairs abundant on the body.

Variation. A paratype worker with the following measurements and indices: HL 0.63 mm; HW 0.50 mm; SL 0.25 mm; CI 79; SI 50; WL 0.85mm; AW 0.38 mm; PL 0.35 mm; PH 0.30 mm; DPW 0.75 mm; TL 3.0 mm.

Type Material
Holotype. Worker, Iriomote-jirna, Okinawa Pref., 14.II.1985, Y. Hashimoto leg.

Paratype. 1 worker, same data as holotype.

Etymology
This species is named in honor of Dr. Y. Hashimoto, for his contributions to the knowledge of the ant fauna of Japan.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Terayama M. 1996. Taxonomic studies on the Japanese Formicidae, part 2. Seven genera of Ponerinae, Cerapachyinae and Myrmicinae. Nature & Human Activities 1: 9-32.
 * Terayama M., S. Kubota, and K. Eguchi. 2014. Encyclopedia of Japanese ants. Asakura Shoten: Tokyo, 278 pp.
 * Yamane S., S. Ikudome, and M. Terayama. 1999. Identification guide to the Aculeata of the Nansei Islands, Japan. Sapporo: Hokkaido University Press, xii + 831 pp. pp, 138-317.
 * Yamane S.; Ikudome, S.; Terayama, M. 1999. Identification guide to the Aculeata of the Nansei Islands, Japan. Sapporo: Hokkaido University Press, xii + 831 pp. pp138-317.