Nylanderia indica

This species seems to be generally distributed in India. It has been reported through most parts of India and Sri Lanka. The workers were collected in leaf litter, rotting wood, and underneath stones. (Wachkoo and Bharti 2015)

Identification
Wachkoo and Bharti (2015) - N. indica is similar to Nylanderia taylori, but can be separated from the latter by small eyes occupying only one-fourth of the lateral cephalic margin and subquadrate head whilst eyes are large, covering one-third of the lateral cephalic margin in N. taylori with oval head.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Nicobar Island, Sri Lanka. Palaearctic Region: China.

Nomenclature

 *  indica. Prenolepis indica Forel, 1894c: 409, fig. 4 (w.q.m.) INDIA. Imai, Baroni Urbani, et al. 1984: 9 (k.). Combination in Paratrechina (Nylanderia): Emery, 1925b: 220; in Nylanderia: LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck, 2010a: 127.

Worker
Wachkoo and Bharti (2015) - HL 0.52-0.72 mm; HW 0.43-0.63 mm; EL 0.13-0.17 mm; SL 0.53-0.81 mm; PW 0.35-0.48 mm; PrFL 0.51-0.66 mm; PrFW 0.13-0.18 mm; WL 0.56-0.90 mm. Indices: CI 82.98-87.69; SI 123.08-133.34; REL 21.43-24.07 (n = 20).

Head is subquadrate; longer than wide, equally wide anteriorly and posteriorly, lateral margins gently convex, posterior margin shallowly concave to weakly convex with rounded posterolateral corners. Clypeus carinate; anterior clypeal margin medially concave. Eyes small, oval, weakly convex; covering one-fourth of lateral cephalic margin; three small ocelli present. Antennae long, scape surpasses posterior margin by about two-fifth their length.

Metanotal groove strongly developed, in lateral view interrupts the regular promesonotal convexity from propodeum; metanotal area distinct. Dorsal face of propodeum much shorter than declivitous face, in lateral view, propodeum lower than remainder of dorsum, dorsally angular to gently rounded. Petiole low, triangular in lateral view, inclined forward, with posterior face longer than anterior face; dorsum rounded.

Cuticle feebly shining covered with fine pubescence. Scape with scattered erect macrosetae and a dense layer of pubescence (SMC = 35e50). Erect macrosetae of varying length abundant on head and gaster, relatively sparse on pro-mesonotum. Pronotum and mesonotumwith scattered erect macrosetae of varying lengths (PMC = 5-8; MMC = 2-5).

Body is yellowish brown to reddish brown with antennae and legs usually a shade lighter.

Queen
Wachkoo and Bharti (2015) - HL 0.82-0.83 mm; HW 0.75-0.79 mm; EL 0.29-0.31 mm; SL 0.92-0.93 mm; PrFL 0.81-0.83 mm; PrFW 0.21-0.23 v; WL 1.37-1.38 mm. Indices: CI 91.27-96.00; SI 117.36- 123.53; REL 37.33-37.58 (n = 8).

Generally, matches worker description, with modifications expected for caste and the following differences: head subtriangular with shallowly concave posterior margin; anterior clypeal margin nearly straight to shallowly concave; petiole concave above; color brown with antennae and legs usually a shade lighter; body covered with much dense pubescence than in workers (SMC = 44- 62; PMC = 7-11; MMC = 48-62).

Male
Wachkoo and Bharti (2015) - HL 0.60-0.62 mm; HW 0.51-0.56 mm; EL 0.25-0.26 mm; SL 0.67-0.72 mm; PrFL 0.61-0.66 mm; PrFW 0.17- 0.18 mm; WL 0.86-0.91 mm. Indices: CI 83.64-91.07; SI 127.45- 132.61; REL 40.18-41.87 (n = 8).

Head is subquadrate; longer than wide; eyes large, convex, slightly projecting beyond head outline in full-face view; three prominent ocelli present. Antennae filiform, scapes long, surpass posterior margin by about half their length. Mandibles slender with prominent, pointed apical and small preapical tooth, remainder of masticatory margin smooth, with indistinct, rounded basal angle that seamlessly blends into inner mandibular margin.

Mesosoma modified for presence of a wing; in lateral view scutum and scutellum flat; propodeum indistinct, not higher than remainder of notum with very short dorsal face and long declivitous face; petiole as in worker.

Genitalia: Parameres broadly rounded at apices curving dorsally; apical margin large finger like projection; ventral margin small triangular; long setae extending off of parameres. Cuspi bent toward digiti, long and tubular reaching digiti dorsally with short peg-like teeth; digiti weakly paddle-shaped; covered with short peg-like teeth. Penis valves projecting but not extending parameres.

Color is yellowish-brown with darker gaster; sculpture and vestiture as in worker caste (SMC = 18-22; PMC = 0; MMC = 18- 23).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

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