Plagiolepis exigua

Identification
Sharaf et al. (2011) - Forel mentioned that the scapes of this species reach posterior margin of head, but the scapes fail to reach the margin in the syntype. In addition, he gave the funiculus segments 2-5 x broader than long. On the syntype the fifth segment is as long as or little longer than broad.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: United Arab Emirates. Indo-Australian Region: New Guinea, Singapore. Malagasy Region: Madagascar, Seychelles. Oriental Region: India, Sri Lanka. Palaearctic Region: China.

Nomenclature

 *  exigua. Plagiolepis exigua Forel, 1894c: 417 (w.q.) INDIA. Viehmeyer, 1916a: 145 (m.). See also: Sharaf, Aldawood & Taylor, 2011: 206. Current subspecies: nominal plus quadrimaculata.

Description
Worker

Sharaf et al. (2011) - Syntype. TL 1.23, HL 0.36, HW 0.31, SL 0.26, EL 0.06, PRW 0.20, ML 0.35, SI 84, CI 86.

Mesosoma, legs, antennae, clypeus and mandibles yellow, head and gaster pale yellowish brown, the latter with a more or less longitudinal median yellowish band that interrupt the brownish tergites. Smooth and shining. Head oval, longer than broad with convex sides, nearly as broad anteriorly as posteriorly. Eyes situated in the anterior third of head sides and with 6 ommatidia in the longest row (EL 0.19 x HW). Anterior clypeal margin convex and without carinae. Scapes fail to reach the posterior margin of head. Second funicular segment distinctly shorter than third. Funicular segments 2-4 broader than long, the fifth funicular segment as long as or little longer than broad. Occiput feebly concave. Mesosoma compact, short with convex pronotum and mesonotum and distinct mesonotal and metanotal grooves. Basal face of propodeum short, while its descending face long. Pubescence yellow, fine and regularly distributed over whole body. Very few erect hairs except on anterior of clypeus.

Queen

Bingham (1903) - Very narrow, abdomen elongate. Resembles the worker, but the pubescence is thicker and more abundant. The head and thorax are of a brownish or reddish yellow. Abdomen entirely brownish or of a yellowish brown. Thorax strongly depressed above. Node of the pedicel very low, strongly inclined to the front; wings wanting.

Length: 2.5 - 3 mm

Type Material
Sharaf et al. (2011) - Syntype worker, India, Poona (Wroughton), [examined].



References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

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