Paraparatrechina oreias

Paraparatrechina oreias has been collected from montane rainforest.

Identification
LaPolla et al. (2010) - Metanotal area distinct, with raised metanotal spiracles; head and scapes with appressed pubescence.

Compare with: Paraparatrechina gnoma and Paraparatrechina subtilis. The layer of appressed pubescence covering the head and scapes effectively separates this species from P. subtilis, the species most likely to be confused with P. oreias.

Key to Paraparatrechina of the Afrotropical and Malagasy Regions

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Cameroun.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  oreias. Paraparatrechina oreias LaPolla & Cheng, in LaPolla, Cheng & Fisher, 2010: 11, figs. 6,16,17 (w.) CAMEROUN.

Worker
(n=10): TL: 1.4–1.75; HW: 0.37–0.39; HL: 0.45–0.46; EL: 0.105–0.112; SL: 0.41–0.45; PW: 0.26–0.28; WL: 0.48–0.51; PDH: 0.21–0.23; PrFL: 0.34–0.36; PrFW: 0.098–0.14; GL: 0.45–0.83. Indices: CI: 80–87; REL: 23–25; SI: 105–120; FI: 28–40.

Head yellow, with darker segmental and mandibular margins; slightly longer than broad. A fine, short pubescence covers the head. Scapes surpass posterior margin by about the length of the first 2 funicular segments; scapes with appressed pubescence. Mesosoma compact, yellow to slightly brownish-yellow laterally; fine pubescence covers dorsum. Pronotum rises very steeply from anterior margin to dorsum. Mesonotal area distinct, with prominent mesonotal spiracles. Propodeum possesses a short, angular dorsal face, with a long declivitous face. Legs yellow, with trochanters sometimes whitish-yellow; gaster brownish-yellow becoming lighter yellow around segmental margins.

Type Material
Holotype worker, CAMEROON: Prov. Sud-Ouest; Mnt. Cameroon; 3.8 km 330° NNW Mapanja; elev. 1440 m; 4°6.5’N, 9°9.1’E; 16.iv.2000 (B.L. Fisher #2326) ; 8 paratype workers, same locality as holotype (CASC, ).

Etymology
The species epithet is a Greek noun in apposition for mountain nymph, in reference to the type locality on Mt. Cameroon.