Lasius wittmeri

Identification
Seifert (2020) - The most similar Himalayan species is Lasius lawarai from which it differs by larger eyes (EYE/CS900 0.240), smaller postocular index (PoOc/CL900 0.241), longer scape (SL/CS900 0.979) and smaller torulo-clypeal distance (dClAn/CS900 3.60%). The Tibetan Lasius schaeferi differs by a much shorter frontal pubescence (PLF900 29.6 vs. 38.8 µm) and the presence of very distinct standing setae on hind tibia, the morphology of which differs clearly from neighboring pubescence hairs. Seta counts in Lasius wittmeri are not clearly reproducible because of unclear thickness differences between elongated semierect pubescence hairs and semierect setae. Yet, this missing differentiation may be used as accessory character to distinguish Lasius lawarai also from East Tibetan populations of Lasius obscuratus. Coloration: all body parts dark brown, mandibles and tarsae slightly lighter with a yellowish tinge. (The morphometric abbreviations and ratios are defined here: Seifert 2020 Lasius characters).

Distribution
Known from two sites on the southwestern flank of the Himalayas at 34.90°N, 73.75°E, 2400 m and 34.04°N, 75.33°E, 2650 m.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India, Pakistan.

Nomenclature

 *  wittmeri. Lasius (Lasius) wittmeri Seifert, 1992b: 39, fig. 29 (w.) PAKISTAN.

Description
Worker

Seifert (1992): Head: mandibles with 8 to 9 teeth (8.75 ± 0.50, n = 4). Clypeal carina blunt and incomplete, in lateral profile convex. Head long, HL/HW (900) 1.091, SL/HL (900) 0.940. Mesosoma: propodeal dome flatter and mesopropodeal depression shallower than in lawarai. Posteroventral sides of pronotum without pubescence and brilliantly shining. Surface between propodeal spiracle and opening of the metapleural gland with 4-10 setae, the longest of which measure 93.4 + 7.9 μm (79- 103 μm, n = 11). Scale: on average a little wider than in lawarai, sides not or very weakly converging dorsad, dorsal crest straight, weakly emarginate or weakly convex; in lateral view with convex anterior and straight posterior profile. Scape: pubescence rough, 10-30°, difficult to separate from the smaller setae; setae 40-80°, max. 51 μm. Hind tibia: pubescence 10-20°; setae 30-75°, max. 67 μm.

Surface characters: pubescence of frontal head a little longer than in lawarai: 30.0 + 2.9 μm), 15-30°. Microreticulum always clearly visible, the surfaces between the microrugae brilliantly shining. Micropunctures at base of pubescence hairs always visible (3-5 μm diameter, 10-14 μm central distance). Frontal pronotum with a transverse microrugosity and shining interspaces. Colour: in specimens from Naran whole body concolorous yellowish-reddish brown. Specimens from Pahalgam darker: head medium to 4ark brown, anterior portion of head capsule lighter with yellowish-reddish tinge; mesosoma medium brown with yellowish-reddish tinge, gaster brown, scape and mandibles yellowish.

Measurements (n = 11): HL 868.4 ±39.7, HL/HW 1.0974 ± 0.0163, SL/HL 0.9435 + 0.0135, CLCA 0.31 ± 0.14, PDCL 22.76 +4.00, nHS 17.23 + 5.34, nHHT 20.36 +7.15, nBH 13.05 ± 2.34, nUH 10.00 ± 3.19, UHL/HL 0.1169 XX + 0.0121, PNHL/HL 0.1462 + 0.0096.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Rasheed M. T., I. Bodlah, A. G. Fareen, A. A. Wachkoo, X. Huang, and S. A. Akbar. 2019. A checklist of ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) in Pakistan. Sociobiology 66(3): 426-439.
 * Seifert B. 1992. A taxonomic revision of the Palaearctic members of the ant subgenus Lasius s.str. (Hymenoptera: Formicidae). Abhandlungen und Berichte des Naturkundemuseums Görlitz 66(5): 1-67.