Nylanderia guanyin

A high mountain species distributed at about 3,000 m in altitude. (Terayama 2009)

Identification
Terayama (2009) - Separated from Nylanderia ryukyuensis, Nylanderia flavipes, and Nylanderia yaeyamensis by the jet black body color.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Taiwan.

Nomenclature

 *  guanyin. Paratrechina guanyin Terayama, 2009: 211, fig. 328 (w.) TAIWAN.
 * Combination in Nylanderia: Williams & LaPolla, 2016: 248.

Type Material
Holotype. Worker, Tayulin (3,000 m asl), Nantou Pref., 20-21. ix. 1997, Sk. Yamane leg. Paratype. 1 w, same date as the holotype. NIAES

Taxonomic Notes
This species was described before LaPolla et al. (2010a) revived Nylanderia and was never formally moved to the appropriate genus. It has morphological features consistent with other Nylanderia species, including anteriorly placed compound eyes, 6 teeth on the masticatory margin of the mandibles, deep and complete mesosomal sutures, and abundant thick and erect macrosetae. (Williams & LaPolla, 2016: 248)

Worker
Holotype. HL 0.59, HW 0.53, SL 0.76, WL 0.75, PL 0.13, PH 0.20, DPW 0.13, TL 2.0.

Head 1.11 times as long as wide, with even concave posterior margin and convex sides in full face view; posterolateral corner round, not forming distinct angle; frons and vertex smooth and shining. Mandible with 6 teeth. Antenna relatively long; scape exceeding posterior margin of head by 2/5 its length, with several long erect or suberect hairs; 3rd to 5th segment each longer than wide. Eye 0.14 mm in maximum diameter.

Pronotum smooth and shining, with 2 pairs of erect hairs; mesonotum smooth and shining, with 2 pairs of erect hairs; the longest hair ca. 0.10 mm long; metanotal groove incised dorsally; propodeum with convex dorsal margin; posterodorsal corner well convex, posterior margin steep and straight. Petiolar node thin and high.

Gaster smooth and shining.

Color. Body jet black; mandible, antenna and legs yellowish brown.

Etymology
The specific epithet is the Chinese noun Guanyin, which is the name of a Taiwanese goddess.