Nylanderia yerburyi

This species is spread throughout tropical and subtropical India. It has also been reported Sri Lanka (Bingham 1903). The workers were collected in leaf litter and underneath stones. (Wachkoo and Bharti 2015)

Identification
Wachkoo and Bharti (2015) - Bicolored body of N. yerburyi resembles most to Nylanderia taylori and Nylanderia indica but can be distinguished from the latter by distinctly rounded dorsal face of propodeum, about the same length as declivitous face whilst in latter dorsal face of propodeum is dorsally angular much shorter than declivitous face.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Indo-Australian Region: Singapore. Oriental Region: India, Nicobar Island, Sri Lanka. Palaearctic Region: China.

Nomenclature

 *  yerburyi. Prenolepis yerburyi Forel, 1894c: 409, fig. 1 (w.q.m.) SRI LANKA. Combination in Pr. (Nylanderia): Viehmeyer, 1916a: 147; in Paratrechina (Nylanderia): Wheeler, W.M. 1921e: 112; in Nylanderia: LaPolla, Brady & Shattuck, 2010a: 127..

Worker
Wachkoo and Bharti (2015) - HL 0.65-0.75 mm; HW 0.55-0.66 mm; EL 0.19-0.22 mm; SL 0.75-0.85 mm; PW 0.42-0.45 mm; PrFL 0.58-0.65 mm; PrFW 0.16-0.18 mm; WL 0.80-0.99 mm. Indices: CI 82.81-88.24; SI 128.79-137.74; REL 28.12-29.41 (n = 20).

Head is subquadrate; longer than wide, narrowed anteriorly, lateral margins strongly convex, posterior margin weakly concave to gently convex with rounded posterolateral corners. Clypeus subcarinate in the middle; anterior clypeal margin shallowly concave. Eyes oval, weakly convex, large, covering one-third of lateral cephalic margin; three small ocelli present. Antennae long, scape surpasses posterior margin by 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 rounded, about the same length as declivitous face; in lateral view, its highest part on the same plane to remainder of dorsum, dorsally dome-like. Petiole low triangular, inclined forward with posterior face longer than anterior face, dorsum rounded.

Head and gaster dull covered with a fine layer of pubescence; mesosoma relatively shiny with sparse pubescence. Scape with scattered erect macrosetae and a dense layer of pubescence (SMC = 35e55). Erect macrosetae of varying length abundant on head and gaster, relatively sparse on pro-mesonotum. Pronotum and mesonotum with scattered erect macrosetae of varying lengths (PMC = 3-7; MMC = 3-5).

Mesosoma are yellow brown to reddish brown, head and gaster darker brown; antennae and legs yellow brown to reddish brown.

Queen
Wachkoo and Bharti (2015) - HL 0.82 mm; HW 0.81 mm; EL 0.30 mm; SL 0.91 mm; PrFL 0.81 mm; PrFW 0.23 mm; WL 1.30 mm. Indices: CI 98.78; SI 112.35; REL 36.48 (n = 1).

Generally matches worker description, with modifications expected for caste and the following differences: head subtriangular with concave posterior margin; petiole concave above; pubescence denser than in workers; color yellowish-brown (SMC 55 = 59; PMC = 14; MMC = 57).

Male
Wachkoo and Bharti (2015) - HL 0.62 mm; HW 0.55 mm; EL 0.28 mm; SL 0.77 mm; PrFL 0.67 mm; PrFW 0.17 mm; WL 0.94 mm. Indices: CI 88.71; SI 140.00; REL 44.64 (n = 1).

Head is subtriangular; longer than wide; eyes relatively larger, subglobulose, projecting well 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, curved strap like with prominent, pointed apical and a small preapical tooth, remainder of masticatory margin smooth, without any teeth or denticles. Basal angle rounded, indistinct and seamlessly blends into inner mandibular margin.

Mesosoma modified for presence of a wing; propodeum indistinct, lower than remainder of notum with very short dorsal face and long declivitous face; petiole as in worker.

Genitalia: Parameres broadly rounded at apices; apical margin large finger like projection; ventral margin triangular; long setae extending off of parameres. Cuspi long and tubular with short peg-like teeth, strongly bent toward and covering digiti dorsally; digiti weakly paddle-shaped; strongly curved outward and covered with short peg-like teeth; penis valves projecting past parameres.

Head, scutum, and gaster brown remainder yellowish; sculpture and vestiture as in worker caste (SMC = 20-22; PMC = 0; MMC = 23).

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

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