Paratopula andamanensis

This species is only known from the male caste and is limited to the Andaman Islands, India.

Identification Keys including this Taxon

 * Key to Paratopula species

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 * . Sima andamanensis Forel, 1903d: 403 (m.) INDIA (Andaman Is).
 * Type-material: holotype male.
 * Type-locality: India: Andaman Is., Petite Andaman, Bumila Creek (Bingham?).
 * Type-depository: MHNG.
 * Combination in Sima (Sima): Emery, 1921f: 23;
 * combination in Tetraponera (Tetraponera): Chapman & Capco, 1951: 78;
 * combination in Paratopula: Bolton, 1988b: 134.
 * Status as species: Emery, 1921f: 23; Bolton, 1988b: 134 (redescription); Bolton, 1995b: 312; Mohanraj, et al. 2010: 7; Bharti, Guénard, et al. 2016: 41.
 * Distribution: India (Andaman Is)

Description
Male

Bolton (1998) - P. andamanensis is closely related to oculata, the two sharing the same form of depressed rectangular head capsule (fig. 8), characteristic overall shape of petiole and postpetiole (figs 16, 17), and alitrunk structure. The two differ in the following respects. In andamanensis the middle and hind tibiae lack projecting hairs, whereas in oculata long fine tapering projecting hairs are conspicuous. In andamanensis the fifth gastral tergite is broadly triangular, enlarged and shield-like, and conceals the elongate genital parameres from dorsal view. Conversely, in oculata the fifth gastral tergite is a narrow transverse sclerite and the elongate parameres project freely from the gastral apex. The propodeal declivity is more nearly vertical in andamanensis and the dorsum and declivity round together through a narrower curve than in oculata, where the declivity is not so steeply sloped (figs 16, 17). With the alitrunk in profile the propodeal spiracle is closer to the margin of the declivity in oculata than in andamanensis, and comparison of figs 16 and 17 will show the differences in shape and relative dimensions of the petiole and postpetiole.

Worker & Queen

Unknown

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Bolton B. 1988. A review of Paratopula Wheeler, a forgotten genus of myrmicine ants (Hym., Formicidae). Entomologist's Monthly Magazine 124: 125-143
 * Chapman, J. W., and Capco, S. R. 1951. Check list of the ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of Asia. Monogr. Inst. Sci. Technol. Manila 1: 1-327
 * Forel A. 1903. Les fourmis des îles Andamans et Nicobares. Rapports de cette faune avec ses voisines. Rev. Suisse Zool. 11: 399-411.
 * Mohanraj P., M. Ali, and K. Veerakumari. 2010. Formicidae of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Indian Ocean: Bay of Bengal). Journal of Insect Science 10: Article 172
 * Mohanraj, P., M. Ali and K. Veenakumari. 2010. Formicidae of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (Indian Ocean: Bay Of Bengal). Journal of Insect Science 10:172.