Prenolepis melanogaster

Identification
Williams and LaPolla (2016) - Relatively large in overall size (TL > 4.25mm); yellow-brown head and mesosoma with a dark brown to black gaster; head as broad as or broader than long (CI > 97) with round compound eyes that are spaced far apart (REL3 < 35); setae on scapes are erect.

This species is much larger and more hirsute than all other Prenolepis species and has a distinctly broad head (CI: 97–105). Prenolepis melanogaster also has a yellow-brown head and mesosoma with a dark brown to black gaster, similar to the coloration seen in Prenolepis fustinoda.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam. Palaearctic Region: China, Republic of Korea.

Nomenclature

 *  melanogaster. Prenolepis melanogaster Emery, 1893e: 223 (w.) MYANMAR.
 * [Also described as new by Emery, 1895k: 476.]
 * Status as species: Bingham, 1903: 327; Wheeler, W.M. 1927h: 106; Bolton, 1995b: 364; Wu, J. & Wang, 1995: 137; Xu, 1995c: 338 (in key).
 * Senior synonym of carinifrons, nigriflagella: Williams & LaPolla, 2016: 234.
 * carinifrons. Prenolepis melanogaster st. carinifrons Santschi, 1920g: 173 (w.) VIETNAM.
 * Subspecies of melanogaster: Wheeler, W.M. 1927h: 106; Bolton, 1995b: 363.
 * Junior synonym of melanogaster: Williams & LaPolla, 2016: 234.
 * nigriflagella. Prenolepis nigriflagella Xu, 1995c: 338, figs. 1-3 (w.) CHINA.
 * Junior synonym of melanogaster: Williams & LaPolla, 2016: 234.

Worker
Williams and LaPolla (2016) - (n=3): CMC: 46–50; EL: 0.24–0.29; EW: 0.23–0.26; HL: 1.06–1.24; HLA: 0.53–0.66; HLP: 0.41–0.47; HW: 1.03–1.30; IOD: 0.70–0.90; LF1: 0.29–0.35; LF2: 0.20–0.25; LHT: 1.92–2.29; MMC: 4–8; MTW: 0.55–0.70; MW: 0.37–0.45; PDH: 0.42–0.47; PMC: 11–16; PrCL: 0.65–0.77; PrCW: 0.39–0.45; PrFL: 1.26–1.49; PrFW: 0.22–0.26; PTH: 0.42–0.47; PTL: 0.43–0.55; PTW: 0.33–0.42; PW: 0.64–0.77; SL: 1.47– 1.70; TL: 4.28–4.93; WF1: 0.09; WF2: 0.08–0.09; WL: 1.55–1.92; BLI: 143–151; CI: 97–105; EPI: 128–139; FLI: 135–144; HTI: 171–187; PetHI: 100–101; PetWI: 75–77; PrCI: 58–60; PrFI: 17–18; REL: 21–23; REL2: 21–23; REL3: 31–33; SI: 129–144.

Relatively large in overall size (TL > 4.25mm); yellow-brown head and mesosoma with a dark brown to black gaster; cuticle of head, pronotum, mesopleuron, propodeum, and gaster smooth and shiny; abundant very long, erect setae on scapes, head, mesosoma, gaster, and legs; head slightly broader than long and round in shape with indistinct posterolateral corners and a weakly convex posterior margin; eyes moderately sized, convex, and placed far apart (REL3 < 35); compound eyes do not surpass the lateral margins of the head in full-face view; torulae overlap with the posterior border of the clypeus; anterior border of clypeus with a pair of prominent anterolateral lobes; mandibles with 6 teeth on the masticatory margin; ectal surface of mandibles smooth and shiny; in profile view, propodeum is domed with a rounded dorsal face; dorsal apex of petiole scale is sharply angled and forward-inclined.

Type Material
Williams and LaPolla (2016) - Holotype worker, Myanmar: Carin, Asciuii Cheba, 1100m, 01.xii.1887 (: CASENT0905675) [examined].