Nylanderia luteafra

Identification
LaPolla et al. (2011) - Overall yellow in color with contrasting, darker, erect setae and a conspicuously domed propodeum.

Compare with: Nylanderia incallida and Nylanderia usambarica

The only species N. luteafra easily might be confused with are N. incallida, which has different mesosomal macrosetae (thinner, lighter, and longer), and N. usambarica, which has a much higher PSC and lacks a domed propodeal dorsum. The darker macrosetae contrast strongly with the yellow cuticle, a character state seen only in one other species, N. usambarica, but these two species can be separated by the characters noted above.


 * Key to Afrotropical Nylanderia workers

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Cameroun, Gabon.

Castes
The queen and male castes are currently unknown for this species.

Nomenclature

 *  luteafra. Nylanderia luteafra LaPolla & Fisher, in LaPolla, Hawkes & Fisher, 2011: 20, figs. 34-36, 80 (w.) GABON.

Worker
Measurements (n = 4): TL: 2.3–2.8; HW: 0.54–0.65; HL: 0.66 = 0.74; EL: 0.13–0.16; SL: 0.83–0.89; PW: 0.39–0.44; WL: 0.87–1.0; GL:0.81–1.04

Indices: CI: 81–89; REL: 21–22; SI: 137–155

Overall yellow to brownish-yellow, with darker, erect macrosetae across body; cuticle shining, rugulose on head, mesonotum (on some specimens, pronotum is slightly rugulose), and propodeum. Posterior margin of head with rounded posterolateral corners, slightly emarginate medially. Scapes surpass posterior margin by about length of the first 3–3.5 funicular segments; scape with erect setae and abundant appressed to decumbent pubescence (SMC = 24–31). Mesosoma with erect macrosetae of varying lengths (PMC = 2–4; MMC = 2–3); in profile, pronotum with linear rise towards mesonotum; metanotal area elongate; dorsal face of propodeum dome-like, slightly lower to about the same height as mesonotum; dorsal face and declivitous face about the same length. Gaster shining, with abundant erect macrosetae.

Type Material
Holotype worker, GABON: Ogooue-Maritime: Reserve de la Moukalaba-Dougoua, 12.2 km 305 NW Doussala, 02°17'00" S, 010°29'50" E, elev. 110 m, 26.ii.2000 (S. van Noort) (CASENT0179584); 1 paratype worker with same label data as holotype except date: 29.ii.2000; 1 paratype worker with same label data as holotype except coordinates are: 02°17'00" S, 010°29'83" E (CASC, )

Etymology
The species epithet luteafra is a combination of luteus (L. = yellow) and afra (L. = Africa).