Prenolepis angularis

Nothing is known about the biology of .

Identification
Zhou (2001) - Resembles Prenolepis naoroji, but differs from the latter in clypeus without median carinae and not ridged; mesopleuron longitudinally striate; declivous face of propodeum steeply oblique, conjunction between basal face and declivous face angular.

Williams and LaPolla (2016) - Obtusely angled propodeum with flat dorsal and posterior faces; erect setae on scapes and legs; light blue cuticular iridescence.

This species and Prenolepis naoroji are the only Prenolepis to have a light blue cuticular iridescence. Prenolepis angularis can most easily be distinguished from P. naoroji by its obtusely angled propodeum, smaller compound eyes that do not surpass the lateral margins of the head in full-face view, and erect setae on the scapes. Prenolepis angularis is also much less hirsute than P. naoroji and its macrosetae are shorter in length.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Palaearctic Region: China.

Nomenclature

 *  angularis. Prenolepis angularis Zhou, 2001b: 173, 242, fig. 344 (w.) CHINA.

Worker
Holotype: TL 3.0, HL 0.79, HW 0.75, CI 94, SL 0.98, SI 130, PW 0.44, AL 1.00, ED 0.20.

Head oval, slightly longer than broad, occipital border slightly convex. Masticatory margin of mandibles with 6 teeth, apical, 4th, basal teeth longer. Middle clypeus convex but not carinate; anterior border sinuate. About 1/2 length of antennal scapes extending beyond the occipital border. Eyes slightly convex, situated behind the midlength of the sides of head. Promesonotum formed a single convexity, distinctly longer than the propodeal convexity; mesothorax constrict; basal face of propodeum flat, declivity steeply oblique, conjunction between them distinctly angular. Petiolar node high, not hung over by gaster, dorsal margin straight. Gaster shortly wide, dorsum convex, base of first gastral segment declined forward, lower than the petiolar node.

Smooth and shining. Mesopleuron with longitudinal striations. Propodeum sparsely feebly punctate.

Erect hairs yellow, relatively dense. Pubescence sparse.

Color yellowish brown. Antennae and legs slightly lighter. Gaster contaminated brown.

Paratypes 29: TL 2.9~3.1, HL 0.75~0.79, HW 0.72~0.75, CI 94~96, SL 0.93~0.98, SI 129~130, PW 0.42~0.47, AL 0.91~1.06, ED 0.19~0.20.

Williams and LaPolla (2016) - Worker. Measurements (n=4): CMC: 9–10; EL: 0.20–0.24; EW: 0.18–0.20; HL: 0.72–0.83; HLA: 0.38–0.41; HLP: 0.25–0.27; HW: 0.69–0.76; IOD: 0.48–0.50; LF1: 0.17–0.19; LF2: 0.10–0.11; LHT: 0.92– 0.95; MMC: 1–2; MTW: 0.40–0.44; MW: 0.24–0.29; PDH: 0.28–0.32; PMC: 5–8; PrCL: 0.45–0.47; PrCW: 0.24– 0.28; PrFL: 0.71–0.78; PrFW: 0.16–0.19; PTH: 0.31–0.35; PTL: 0.33–0.36; PTW: 0.23–0.26; PW: 0.45–0.49; SL: 0.92–1.03; TL: 2.80–3.17; WF1: 0.07–0.08; WF2: 0.06–0.07; WL: 0.98–1.12; BLI: 139–143; CI: 91–98; EPI: 145–153; FLI: 169–174; HTI: 126–134; PetHI: 109–112; PetWI: 70–73; PrCI: 55–57; PrFI: 23–24; REL: 27–30; REL2: 29–31; REL3: 43–47; SI: 131–136.

Medium to dark brown, with cuticle having a light blue iridescence; cuticle of head and pronotum smooth and shiny; cuticle of mesopleuron, propodeum, and gaster lightly reticulate; abundant erect setae on scapes and legs; abundant long, erect macrosetae on head, mesosoma, and gaster; head about as broad as long and square in shape with indistinct posterolateral corners and a weakly convex posterior margin; compound eyes moderately large and convex, but do not surpass the lateral margins of the head in full-face view; torulae overlap with the posterior border of the clypeus; anterior border of clypeus with a pair of prominent anterolateral lobes; mandibles with 6 teeth on the masticatory margin; ectal surface of mandibles with light longitudinal striations; in profile view, propodeum is obtusely angled with a flat dorsal face; dorsal apex of petiole scale is sharply angled and forward-inclined

Type Material
Holotype worker, Mao Er Shan Natural Reserve, Guangxi, 10.VII.1994, Shanyi Zhou leg. Paratypes: 9 workers, data as holotype. 20 workers, location as holotype, 1.VII.1996, Shanyi Zhou leg.

Williams and LaPolla (2016) - Holotype worker, China: Guangxi Province, Mao’er Mt. Nature Reserve, 25°44.21’N 110°19.25’E, 934.5m, 10.vii.1994 [examined].