Lepisiota layla

This species seems to be rare, the only known specimens being found in the Shivalik range of Western Himalaya, India. The specimens were collected by hand from the trunk of an Acacia tree.

Identification
Lepisiota layla is a medium-sized ant. It is superficially similar to Lepisiota lunaris and Lepisiota modesta, but its body is abundantly covered with long, erect white setae while L. lunaris and L. modesta have a body covered with usual short erect setae.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India.

Nomenclature

 * . Lepisiota layla Wachkoo et al., 2021: 232, 243 (in key), figs. 13-15 (w.) INDIA (Himachal Pradesh).

Type Material

 * Holotype worker. India, Himachal Pradesh, Kotla, 31.8821° N, 75.9963° E, 500 m, 22.x.2010.
 * Paratype, 1 worker, same data as for holotype, Aijaz A. Wachkoo leg.

Description
Worker

Wachkoo et al. (2021): Head subquadrate; as long as wide, as wide posteriorly as in front; lateral margins convex, posterior margin transverse with strongly rounded posterolateral corners; clypeus subcarinate in the middle; anterior clypeal margin complete and convex; eyes broadly oval, weakly convex, placed at the middle-line of head, covering about one-third of lateral cephalic margin; three small ocelli present; antennal scape surpassing posterior head margin by about one-third its length. In lateral view promesonotum convex, metanotum low, almost straight; mesometanotum demarcated; metanotal area distinct; mesometanotum constricted; propodeum armed with a pair of posteriorly diverging thick blunt spines; propodeal declivity steep. Petiole upright with angular sides, dorsally without distinct teeth or spines, shallowly emarginate; apical corners with acute angles pointing upward.

Overall body polished, smooth and shining; mesometanotal suture cross-ribbed; mesometapleuron longitudinally striate. Body abundantly covered with long, erect white setae; scape and legs with relatively shorter erect setae than on body; antennal funiculus with dense suberect pubescence. Color black; scape and tarsi yellow brown.

Measurements (n = 2). HL 0.57–0.58; HW 0.57– 0.58; EL 0.18–0.19; SL 0.64–0.65; PW 0.40–0.41; PFL 0.50–0.51; PFW 0.12–0.13; ML 0.86–0.87 mm. Indices: CI 100; SI 112; REL 33.

Harshana and Dey (2022):

Head: Head slightly longer than broad, subquadrate, sides weakly convex, posterior margin almost straight, posterolateral corners rounded (Fig. 7F); palp formula 6,4 and third maxillary segment from base longest of all segments while sixth segment distinctly longer than the fifth segment; mandible with five teeth on masticatory margin, third tooth from apex smaller than the fourth tooth; antennae 11 segmented, antennal scape extending to posterior margin of head not more than 1/3rd of its length, antennal insertions touching posterior clypeal margin; clypeus dorsally convex, subcarinate at the middle, having sub-erect comparatively long pubescent hairs, posterior margin with a pair of long erect setae, anterior margin with two pairs of long erect setae with a median seta, anterior clypeal margin weakly convex; eyes broadly oval, weakly convex, placed little behind mid-length of the head; three ocelli present.

Mesosoma: Promesonotum convex, higher than remaining mesosoma in profile view (Fig. 7D); propodeum with broad, thick, posteriorly diverging spines and propodeal declivity steep; fore tibiae having pectinate spur at the distal end, basitarsus having a hairy notch at the proximal end. Metasoma: Petiole dorsally with angular sides, without distinct teeth or spines, shallowly emarginated, and sides slightly convex; acidopore well-developed and fringed with hairs.

Head, mesosoma, and metasoma covered with abundant whitish long erect setae (Fig. 7D–F); legs with sub-erect to erect comparatively short whitish setae; antennal scape with sub-erect to erect setae while funicular segments with sub-erect to decumbent pubescence; mandibular surfaces with fine setae. Sculpture and colour: Head, mesosoma, and metasoma are smooth and shining except for rugose mesometapleuron. Body uniformly black; antennal scape (except the distal end), tarsi of legs yellowish-brown; mandible, the distal end of antennal scape, funicular segments of antennae brown.

Measurements and indices (n = 2). EL: 0.19; HL: 0.59–0.61; HW: 0.57–0.60; MML: 0.32; PH: 0.26–0.27; PRW: 0.41–0.42; SL: 0.62–0.65; TL: 2.76–2.81; WL: 0.87–0.89; CI: 97–98; OI: 33–32; REL: 31–32; SI: 108–109.

Etymology

The species epithet is an Arabic noun meaning dark beauty, in reference to the shining black color of this species.