Nylanderia wardi

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
LaPolla and Kallal (2019) - Larger brown to light brown species (HL: 0.6–0.72); SMC typically greater than 30 (measured range: 26–38); head in full-face view distinctly ovate with rounded posterolateral corners.

Compare with: Nylanderia sierra, Nylanderia xestonota

Workers of this species are very similar to N. sierra, but N. wardi is much larger and the declivity following the mesonotum to the metanotal area is distinctly longer in N. wardi. Additionally, N. wardi has much more scape macrosetae than N. sierra. There were individuals of N. sierra collected in sympatry with N. wardi and the morphological differences between the two species were maintained.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Neotropical Region: Cuba.

Nomenclature

 *  wardi. Nylanderia wardi LaPolla & Kallal, 2019: 441, figs. 97-99 (w.) CUBA.

Worker
(n=7): TL: 2.20–2.84; HW: 0.54–0.6; HL: 0.60–0.72; EL: 0.15–0.18; SL: 0.78–0.87; WL: 0.76–0.85; GL: 0.82–1.3; SMC: 26–38; PMC: 4–6; MMC: 3–4. indices: CI: 83–90; REL: 24–25; SI: 141–152; SI2: 18–21.

Head: Sides of head in full face view rounded and slightly convergent anteriad; posterolateral corners distinctly rounded; posterior margin straight; anterior clypeal margin emarginate; median ocellus present; eye well-developed. Mesosoma: in lateral view, pronotum convex; anterior margin of mesonotum raised slightly above posterior pronotal margin; metanotal area without short flat area before spiracle; dorsal face of propodeum slightly convex; dorsal face of propodeum lower than mesonotum in lateral view. Color and pilosity: color light brown to brownish-yellow; slightly darker dorsally; mesocoxae and metacoxae slightly lighter than the mesosoma; head generally without pubescence, except some sparse pubescence laterally and underneath eyes; mesosoma generally without pubescence, except some sparse pubescence on the mesonotum and a sparse fringe along dorsal face of propodeum; gastral tergites with abundant pubescence.

Type Material
Holotype worker, CUBA: Holguin, 6 km S Yamanigüey, 20° 33’ N, 74° 44’W, 25 m, 23.viii.2001, P.S. Ward #1443723 ; 2 paratype workers same locality data as holotype (specimens are from the same nest as holotype); 3 paratype workers same locality data as holotype but different collecting code (P.S. Ward #14436) (NMNH & ).

Etymology
Named in honor of Philip S. Ward (University of California—Davis), who not only collected this species, but whose many superb contributions to myrmecology have greatly enriched the field.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * LaPolla J. S., and R. J. Kallal. 2019. Nylanderia of the World Part III: Nylanderia in the West Indies. Zootaxa 4658: 401-451.