Prenolepis fisheri

This species is rare in Shivalik range of North-West Himalaya and was found only in a single locality of Uttarakhand during the intensive surveys. This species was found under a small stone, along edge of a primary, subtropical, semi-evergreen forest with relatively high annual precipitation. (Bharti and Wahkoo 2012)

Identification
Bharti and Wahkoo (2012) - This is an intriguing species, as it possesses ocelli, a character shared only by three other species of Prenolepis known from the Antilles. However, it can be easily separated from them by shorter scapes (SL 0.67-0.69 & SI 101.51-109.68). All the Antillean species possess much longer scapes with SL 1.75-2.10 and SI 155.0-181.8.

Prenolepis of India


 * Scapes short, surpassing posterior margin of head by less than half their length (SI: 101.51-109.68), ocelli present . . . . . Prenolepis fisheri


 * Scapes very long, surpassing posterior margin of head by about half their length (SI: 153.85-182.35), ocelli absent . . . . . Prenolepis naoroji

Williams and LaPolla (2016) - Three small ocelli present; head subtriangular in shape; dark brown head and mesosoma with a dark brown to black gaster; erect setae on scapes; overall shape of petiole subtriangular with a rounded dorsal apex of the scale.

This species is most similar to Prenolepis darlena and Prenolepis fustinoda but is much darker in color. The petiole appears to be taller in profile than those of both P. darlena and P. fustinoda, and does not have the club-like shape that is seen in P. fustinoda. The overall shape of the petiole appears to be most similar to that of Prenolepis jerdoni.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India, Nepal.

Castes
Males have yet to be collected.

Nomenclature

 *  fisheri. Prenolepis fisheri Bharti & Wachkoo, 2012: 120, fig 1-6 (w.) INDIA.

Worker
Measurements: HL 0.63-0.65; HW 0.62-0.66; WL 0.75-0.8; SL 0.67-0.69. Indices: CI 95.39-104.76; SI 101.51-109.68 (n = 8).

Head. Head subtriangular, as broad as long, much broader posteriorly than in front, occipital margin straight with rounded corners, sides convex. Anterior margin of clypeus broad, entire, convex, strongly carinate in the middle. Mandibles armed with 5-6 teeth on the masticatory margin, counting from apex 3rd and 5th teeth in 6-teeth condition and only 3rd in 5-teeth condition are reduced. Eyes oval, convex, moderately large; 3 small ocelli present. Antennae long, scapes extending about 1/3rd of their length beyond occipital margin of head, flagellum incrassate towards apex. Frontal carina feeble, short and diverging.

Mesosoma. Mesosoma stout, strongly constricted in the middle; metanotal groove conspicuous; in side view pronotum and mesonotum together form a high dome, propodeum low, broadly rounded with declivous face obliquely truncate.

Petiole. Petiole low and transverse, subtriangular in profile, inclined forward, with posterior face longer than anterior face.

Gaster. Gaster short and gibbous.

Sculpture and pilosity. Cuticular surface smooth and shining, pubescence absent; mandibles weakly striate, frontal area with feeble reticulations and mesopleura with transverse rugae. Setae weak, short and more uniform than in P. naoroji. Clypeal setae longest, reaching up to 0.17 mm.

Color. Castaneous, gaster blackish.

Queen
Measurements: HL 0.89; HW 0.98; WL 1.57; SL 0.84. Indices: CI 110.11; SI 85.71 (n = 1).

As in worker, with modifications expected for the caste and the following differences: overall color darker than in workers, with thorax and gaster brown. Entire body finely punctate; covered in a dense layer of pubescence and setae of varying lengths. Antennae filiform; mandibles 6 toothed. Mesosoma massive, flat above, without any constriction. Petiole broad, strongly compressed anteroposteriorly and lower than in workers, with dorsal margin deeply emarginated. Gaster exceptionally long.

Type Material
Holotype worker, India: Uttarakhand, Forest Research Institute, 30.3476°N 77.9965°E, 640m, 11.v.2009, hand collecting, coll. Aijaz A. Wachkoo. Paratypes. 7 workers, and 1 queen, same data as holotype.

, Punjabi University Patiala Ant Collection, Patiala, India. Two paratypes will be deposited in, Natural History Museum, London, U.K.

Etymology
The species is named in the honour of Brian Fisher.