Nylanderia lepida

Identification
LaPolla et al. (2011) - Overall darker brown, with distinctly smooth and shining cuticle; mesocoxae and metacoxae whitish, with trochanters and other joints of the legs similarly whitish in color.

Compare with: Nylanderia impolita

In most instances this is an easily identified species, possessing among the shiniest cuticles of any Afrotropical Nylanderia. A few specimens examined exhibited a faintly rugulose cuticle, especially on the head and mesonotum. With these specimens, the cuticular rugosity is always much less defined than is observed in N. impolita. In instances where a faintly rugulose cuticle is observed, the overall size and the length of the scape can effectively separate N. lepida from N. impolita.


 * Key to Afrotropical Nylanderia workers

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Cameroun, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda.

Nomenclature

 *  lepida. Prenolepis (Nylanderia) lepida Santschi, 1915c: 262, fig. 11 (w.) CAMEROUN. LaPolla, Hawkes & Fisher, 2011: 19 (q.m.). Combination in Paratrechina (Nylanderia): Emery, 1925b: 218; in Nylanderia: LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck, 2010a: 127. Senior synonym of fuscula, grisoni: LaPolla, Hawkes & Fisher, 2011: 19.
 * fuscula. Paratrechina (Nylanderia) grisoni var. fuscula Menozzi, 1942: 178 (w.) EQUATORIAL GUINEA (Bioko I.). [Also given as new in Eidmann, 1944: 460.] Combination in Nylanderia: LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck, 2010a: 127. Junior synonym of lepida: LaPolla, Hawkes & Fisher, 2011: 19.
 * grisoni. Prenolepis (Nylanderia) grisoni Forel, 1916: 440, fig. 5 (w.) DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO. Combination in Paratrechina (Nylanderia): Emery, 1925b: 218; in Nylanderia: LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck, 2010a: 127. Junior synonym of lepida: LaPolla, Hawkes & Fisher, 2011: 19.

Worker
LaPolla et al. (2011) - Measurements (n = 14): TL: 1.2–2.6; HW: 0.44–0.58; HL: 0.53–0.68; EL: 0.1–0.18; SL: 0.60–0.81; PW: 0.30–0.42; WL: 0.69–0.93; GL: 0.58–0.98

Indices: CI: 78–88; REL: 24–28; SI: 136–152

Overall dark brown with lighter mandibles, antennae, and legs; mesocoxae, metacoxae, trochanters, femurs distally, tibia, and tarsi yellowish to white; area around acidopore yellowish. Cuticle generally smooth and shining, except mesonotum, which is faintly rugulose. Head with scattered pubescence; posterior margin broadly rounded, with distinctly rounded posterolateral corners; scapes surpass posterior margin by about the length of the first three funicular segments; scapes with erect macrosetae (SMC = 12–30) and a layer of pubescence. Pronotum and mesonotum with scattered erect macrosetae of varying lengths (PMC = 3–6; MMC = 2); sparse pubescence on dorsum. Pronotum rounded towards mesonotum; mesonotal area distinct with prominent spiracles; metanotal area elongate; dorsal face of propodeum high and dome-like (higher than mesonotum); dorsal face slightly longer than declivitous face. Gaster shining, with erect macrosetae and occasional pubescence.

Queen
LaPolla et al. (2011) - Measurements (n = 2): TL: 4.1–5.4; HW: 0.71–0.92; HL: 0.76–0.83; EL: 0.31–0.42; SL: 0.81–0.92; PW: 0.95–1.24; WL: 1.2–1.5; GL: 2.2–3.1

Indices: CI: 93–110; REL: 40–50; SI: 100–114

As in worker but with modifications expected for caste. Entire body covered in a dense pubescence; eyes large, but not strongly convex, about half the length of the head lateral margin; scapes and pronotum with no erect setae (PMC = 0); mesonotum and metanotum with scattered erect setae (MMC = 13).

Male
LaPolla et al. (2011) - Measurements (n = 2): TL: 1.6–2.0; HW: 0.45–0.49; HL: 0.47–0.5; EL: 0.21–0.25; SL: 0.52–0.59; PW: 0.47–0.55; WL: 0.52–0.74; GL: 0.63–0.81

Indices: CI: 95–98; REL: 42–50; SI: 117–121

Overall brown, with lighter brown to yellow mandibles, antennae and legs (lightest on trochanters); cuticle smooth and shining. Head with suberect to erect macrosetae and a dense layer of pubescence. Compound eyes large (more than half the length of head lateral margin), strongly convex, surpassing lateral margin in full-frontal view, with ocelli large and raised. Scapes surpass posterior margin by about the length of the first 4 funicular segments; scapes with sparsely scattered, erect macrosetae (SMC = 2–4). Mandible masticatory margin edentate, except for distinct apical tooth; basal angle of mandible distinct. Mesosoma enlarged and modified to accommodate flight muscles; with dense layer of pubescence and scattered erect setae (PMC = 0; MMC = 10); declivity with scattered pubescence, largely smooth and shining. Gaster with pubescence and erect macrosetae. Genitalia: parameres broadly rounded at apices curving dorsally covering most of the dorsal opening; apical margin of parameres emarginate; ventral margin of parameres at an acute angle; cuspi elongated, apices rounded with peg-like teeth on ental surface where they meet digit; digiti apices broad; peg-like teeth at apices dorsally, ventrally coming to a narrow point that curves towards parameres.

Type Material
Holotype worker, CAMEROON: Victoria (Dr. Reichensperger) [examined].

Prenolepis (Nylanderia) grisoni 4 syntype workers, D.R. CONGO [examined].

Paratrechina (Nylanderia) grisoni var. fuscula Holotype worker, EQUATORIAL GUINEA: Fernando Po Island [not examined, depository unknown].

Additional References

 * LaPolla, J.S., Hawkes, P.G. & Fisher, B.L. (2011) Monograph of Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the World, Part I: Nylanderia in the Afrotropics. Zootaxa 3110: 10–36.