Parasyscia ganeshaiahi

The type (and only known) specimen of this species was collected from the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary at an elevation of 1400 m above sea level. The collection site has a canopy cover of about 90% with low light penetration. The soil had a pH of 6.83 and temperature 17°C at the time of collection. The single worker specimen was collected using a Winkler extractor from sifted leaf litter taken from 1 m2, which accounted for 760 ml of leaf litter. We captured three additional ant genera (Aphaenogaster, Carebara and Paratrechina) in the same trap.

Identification
Parasyscia ganeshaiahi is similar to the Palearctic Parasyscia piochardi in general appearance and 11-segmented antennae. Parasyscia piochardi is known from Israel, Lebanon, Syrian Arab Republic and Turkey (AntWeb 2021; Bolton 2021). Parasyscia ganeshaiahi is distinguished from P. piochardi by the following characteristics:
 * 1) head in full-face view, rectangular with weakly convex lateral sides in P. ganeshaiahi (head nearly oval shaped with strongly convex lateral sides in P. piochardi)
 * 2) strong sculpturing with relatively larger foveolae in P. ganeshaiahi (weakly sculptured with shallow, small foveolae in P. piochardi)
 * 3) head in full-face view, fovea larger in size and comparatively closely spaced in P. ganeshaiahi (fovea smaller with distinct unsculptured area present in P. piochardi)
 * 4) frontal carinae united posteriorly and extended behind in P. ganeshaiahi (frontal carinae not united and extended behind in P. piochardi)
 * 5) mesosoma in dorsal view, with nearly straight lateral margins in P. ganeshaiahi (mesosoma in dorsal view, medially concave in P. piochardi)
 * 6) petiole in profile view, with straight anterior slope in P. ganeshaiahi (weakly convex anterior margin in P. piochardi)
 * 7) anterior margin of petiole in dorsal view, with a distinct carina in P. ganeshaiahi (carina absent in P. piochardi)
 * 8) P. ganeshaiahi is a smaller species, HW 0.46, TL 2.82 (P. piochardi is larger, HW 0.53, TL 3.40)
 * 9) P. ganeshaiahi has comparatively bigger eyes in relation to head width, EI 11 (P. piochardi has smaller eyes in relation to the head width, EI 6)

China
Chen et al. (2022) - Concolorous species, whole body yellow brown. Head distinctly longer than broad, lateral margins convergent anteriorly and posteriorly, with straight posterior margin and angular posterolateral corners. Eyes reduced, maximum diameter smaller than basal funiculus, ommatidial edge ambiguous. Petiole in lateral view trapezoidal, with steep anterior and posterior margin. Head, dorsum of mesosoma and petiole with deep and coarse puncta; dorsum of first gastral segment deeply foveolate-reticulate.

The specimens of P. ganeshaiahi from China exactly match the original description of Aswaj et al (2021), except for the following features:
 * in full-face view head subrectangular, lateral margins convergent anteriorly and posteriorly, posterior margin straight
 * in lateral view, subpetiolar process of petiole rectangular, with anteroventral corner rounded and posteroventral corner obtuse-angulate, and ventral margin straight

This species is most likely to be confused with Parasyscia wighti, but is easily differentiated from the latter by antennae with 11 segments, subpetiolar process rectangular, anteroventral corner rounded and posteroventral corner obtuseangulate, body yellow brown.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Oriental Region: India. Palaearctic Region: China.

Nomenclature

 * . Parasyscia ganeshaiahi Aswaj et al., 2021: 63, figs. 1, 2A–F (w.) INDIA (Arunachal Pradesh).

Type Material

 * Holotype: One worker, point mounted. Original label: “India, Arunachal Pradesh, West Kameng, Eaglenest WLS, 27.0433°N, 92.4209°E, 1400m, Winkler extraction method, 14th April 2013, Aniruddha Marathe leg.” [NBAIR/ HYM-FOR/1721-1].

Description
Worker

Head: In full-face view, rectangular, distinctly longer than broad; lateral margin weakly convex; posterior margin weakly concave (Fig. 2A). Antennae 11 segmented; scape short, when folded back fail to reach posterior margin of eyes; Antennal segment II almost as long as broad; segments III–X distinctly broader than long; apical segment (XI) swollen forming a distinct club, 2×longer than IX–X combined (Fig. 2F). Frontal carinae short, united and slightly extended behind the antennal socket. Eyes small; located slightly anterior to the mid-length of head (Fig. 2A). Mandibles triangular; masticatory margin with a row of denticles (Fig. 2F).

Mesosoma: In dorsal view, elongate with almost parallel lateral sides (Fig. 2C). In profile view, dorsal outline weakly convex; promesonotal suture and metanotal groove absent (Fig. 2B). Propodeal declivity in profile view, lightly concave; declivous face with distinct carina across the top and along the lateral margins; propodeal lobe in profile view, strongly convex (Fig. 2B, C). Metasoma: Petiole in dorsal view, distinctly broader than long; anterior and lateral margin with distinct nal tergite IV (first gastral tergite) in dorsal view, elongate, occupying most part of gaster; anterior margin strongly concave; lateral sides strongly convex. Base of cinctus of first gastral tergite with cross ribs (Fig. 2E).

Sculpture: Body with numerous distinct foveolae with smooth interspaces. Propodeal dorsal surface medially with a distinct unsculptured area. Postpetiole with more closely-spaced foveolae. First gastral tergite anteriorly with large foveolae and posteriorly with smaller foveolae. Remaining gastral segments anteriorly smooth and posteriorly with small foveolae. Pilosity: Body covered with erect to sub-erect hairs. Sides of head and legs with relatively shorter hairs. Apical antennal segment with abundant short decumbent hairs. Body coloration: Body mainly yellowish brown. Antennal segment III to X and mandibles reddish brown.

Measurements and indices (holotype): BL 2.82; HL 0.58; HW 0.46; EL 0.05; TL 0.31; SL 0.22; PRW 0.32; WL 0.79; PL 0.21; PH 0.39; PW 0.30; PPL 0.39; PPH 0.44; PPW 0.45. Indices. CI 79; EI 11; SI 48; PI1 54; PI2 143; PPI1 89; PPI2 115; WI 150 (all measurements in mm).

Etymology

With 2021 being the 25th anniversary of ATREE, this species is a Latin noun in the genitive case named in honour of one of its founders, Prof. K. N. Ganeshaiah, eminent ecologist and writer, who was instrumental in establishing Insect Taxonomy and Conservation Laboratory in ATREE.