Meranoplus periyarensis

The species seems to be of rare occurrence as it was encountered only once during the extensive surveys conducted in the area. The workers of this species were collected near the roots of a tree while they were foraging.

Identification
Bharti and Akbar (2014) - Aberrant in many characters and can be easily separated from other Indian  Meranoplus species on the basis of lighter brown body colouration and smaller size. The new species shares most characters with Meranoplus boltoni from which it can be separated on the basis of combination of following characters. In M. boltoni the anterior margin of clypeal mid-portion is produced into a narrow shelf with a row of blunt denticles, posterior corners of promesonotal shield are having short, acute spine on each side, pointing in a ca. 45° angle from the shield and hind margin of mesonotum with paramedian short, blunt spines, lateral propodeal spines situated rather high above middle of propodeal length, sculpture of head predominately rugo-reticulate and eyes smaller, while M. periyarensis is having clypeal mid portion strongly excavated without row of blunt denticles, posterior corners of promesonotal shield are having distinct spines on each side, which are not pointing in a ca. 45° angle from the shield and hind margin of mesonotum with paramedian prominent, blunt spines, lateral propodeal spines situated much higher above middle of propodeal length, sculpture of head posteriorly rugo-reticulate while anterior portion is mainly having longitudinal rugae without any reticulation and eyes are much larger.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 *  periyarensis. Meranoplus periyarensis Bharti & Akbar, 2014: 813, figs. 1A, 2-4 (w.) INDIA.

Worker
(holotype in brackets) HL 0.74–0.79(0.77); HW 0.69–0.77(0.69); HLA 0.25–0.30(0.30); CW 0.22–0.24(0.22); CDD 0.09–0.12(0.12); SL 0.47–0.52(0.52); EL 0.18–0.21(0.21); EW 0.12–0.13(0.12); PML; 0.52–0.57(0.53); PWA; 0.73–0.76(0.73); PWP 0.50–0.55(0.50); SPL 0.21–0.22 (0.22); WL 0.63–0.68(0.63); PTL 0.18–0.22(0.22); PTH 0.33–0.35(0.35); PPL 0.17–0.19(0.19); PPH 0.31–0.35(0.35); ATW 1.05–1.12(1.05); ATL 1.02–1.08 (1.08); CI 89–97(89); SI 68–75(75); OMI 70–72(70); CDI 41–54 (54); SEI 340–400(340); PMI 113–115(115); PWI2 94–96(94); CS 0.71–0.78(0.73); EYE 41–43(41). PPI 54–54.3(54.3); PTI 54–62(62) (n= 8).

Head. Head almost as long as broad (CI 89–97). Mandibles armed with four teeth. Anterior margin of clypeus with bilobed lamina; lobes relatively wideset (CDI 41–54).Middle portion of clypeus excavated and smooth. Scrobal carina well developed, strong. Eyes large (EYE N 41). Maximum eye length about ¾ the length of the malar area (OMI 60–70).

Mesosoma. Promesonotal shield broader than long (PMI 113–115); distinctly margined, lamellate and overhanging sides of mesosoma laterally and propodeum posteriorly. Anterior corners of pronotum with prominent tooth, posteriorly the sides of the shield distinctly sinuate and constricted at about the level of (invisible) promesonotal suture. Posterior corners of promesonotal shield provided with a distinct, acute spine on each side. Hind margin of mesonotum with distinct paramedian spines, between them a translucent lamella. Anterolateral denticles set wide relative to posterolateral denticles. Metapleural lobes well developed. Propodeal spines narrow and curved. Dorsomedian carina of propodeal spine curves medially across the posterior face of the propodeum.

Metasoma. Petiole cuneate in lateral view;without pedicel. Postpetiole globular in lateral view, taller than broad (PPI 54–54.3). Gaster oval shaped.

Sculpture. Mandibles striated. Head below antennae with longitudinal rugae while above eyes with reticulations. Dorsum of promesonotum with rugo-reticulate sculpture. Lateral face of pronotum with a few haphazardly oriented fine rugae. Lateral face of mesonotum (beneath overhanging shield) with weak foveate sculpture. Dorsal and lateral face of postpetiole rugulose. Gaster smooth and shining.

Vestiture. Body covered with moderate, decumbent or subdecumbent hairs prominent throughout the body. Large fine whitish hairs most prominent along lateral sides of head; apical funicular segments and legs also with erect hairs.

Color. Bright yellowish orange.

Type Material
Holotype worker. INDIA: Kerala, Periyar tiger reserve, 9°46′N, 77°14′ E, 1005 m, 10.x.2011, hand picking. Paratypes. 7 workers the same data as that of holotype (coll. Shahid A. Akbar).

Etymology
The species is named after its type locality Periyar Tiger Reserve.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * Dad J. M., S. A. Akbar, H. Bharti, and A. A. Wachkoo. 2019. Community structure and ant species diversity across select sites ofWestern Ghats, India. Acta Ecologica Sinica 39: 219–228.