Paraparatrechina kongming

This species is confined to the altitudes higher than 3,000 m.

Identification
Terayama (2009) - Resembles Paraparatrechina sauteri, by the small body size, short antennal scape, and a pair of erect hairs on the dorsum of propodeum, however, easily separated from the latter by the blackish brown body and larger body size (body yellowish brown and HL ca. 0.40 mm, HW ca. 0.32 mm, TL ca. 1.1 mm in sauteri).

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Taiwan.

Nomenclature

 *  kongming. Paratrechina kongming Terayama, 2009: 212, fig. 327 (w.) TAIWAN.
 * Combination in Paraparatrechina: Williams & LaPolla, 2016: 250.

Taxonomic Notes
This species was described before LaPolla et al. (2010a) revived Paraparatrechina and was never formally moved to the appropriate genus. It bears a strong resemblance to Paraparatrechina sauteri and has morphological features consistent with other Paraparatrechina species, including the distinct 2, 1 (pronotum, mesonotum) pattern of pairs of macrosetae on the mesosoma and shallow and incomplete mesosomal sutures. (Williams & LaPolla, 2016)

Worker
Holotype. HL 0.53, HW 0.51, SL 0.56, WL 0.65, PL 0.13, PH 0.13, DPW 0.10, TL 1.7.

Head almost as long as wide, with straight posterior margin and convex sides in full face view. Mandible with 5 teeth. Antenna relatively short; scape short, exceeding posterior margin of head by 1/5 its length, with short decumbent hairs, but without long erect or sub erect hairs; 3rd segment as long as wide; 4th and 5th segments each wider than long. Eye 0.10 in maximum diameter.

Pronotum with weakly convex dorsal margin, and with 2 pairs of erect hairs; mesonotum with 2 pairs of erect hairs; metanotal groove shallowly incised dorsally; popodeum with convex dorsal margin and with a pair of erect hairs. Petiole small and low, scale acute triangular in profile.

Color. Blackish brown; antennal 1-3 segments yellowish brown, 4-12 segments brown; legs yellowish brown.

Etymology
The specific epithet is the Chinese noun Kongming, which is the name of a Taiwanese god.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Ran H., and S. Y. Zhou. 2012. Checklist of chinese ants: formicomorph subfamilies (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) II. Journal of Guangxi Normal University: Natural Science Edition 30(4): 81-91.
 * Terayama M. 2009. A synopsis of the family Formicidae of Taiwan (Insecta: Hymenoptera). Research Bulletin of Kanto Gakuen University. Liberal Arts 17:81-266.
 * Terayama Mamoru. 2009. A synopsis of the family Formicidae of Taiwan (Insecta, Hymenoptera). The Research Bulletin of Kanto Gakuen University 17: 81-266.
 * Terayama, M. 2009. A synopsis of the family Formicidae of Taiwan (Insecta; Hymenoptera). The Research Bulletin of Kanto Gakuen University 17: 81-266.