Paraparatrechina myops

Paraparatrechina myops has been collected in montane forest and rainforest.

Identification
LaPolla et al. (2010) - Small eyes (REL: <20); scapes with decumbent pubescence.

Compare with: Paraparatrechina glabra and Paraparatrechina ocellatula. There are two species of Malagasy Paraparatrechina that possess small eyes, P. myops and P. ocellatula. Interestingly, both appear to be montane species. These two species are difficult to separate, their main distinguishing feature being the different sizes of various anatomical structures. P. myops is a much larger species and also possesses decumbent pubescence on the scapes; P. ocellatula is a smaller species overall, and possesses appressed pubescence on the scapes. Given the propensity of Prenolepis genus-group species to evolve worker polymorphism (LaPolla et al., 2010), we at first considered P. myops to be larger workers of P. ocellatula. However, plots of their corresponding morphological data clearly indicate the presence of two groups rather than continuous variation.

Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Malagasy Region: Madagascar.

Castes
Known only from the worker caste.

Nomenclature

 *  myops. Paraparatrechina myops LaPolla & Fisher, in LaPolla, Cheng & Fisher, 2010: 21, figs. 13,16,17 (w.) MADAGASCAR.

Worker
(n=27): TL: 1.8–2.4; HW: 0.42–0.51; HL: 0.51–0.64; EL: 0.07–0.11; SL: 0.55–0.74; PW: 0.31–0.36; WL: 0.56–0.78; PDH: 0.21–0.3; PrFL: 0.43–0.62; PrFW: 0.1–0.14; GL: 0.61–1.05. Indices: CI: 77–89; REL: 13–17; SI: 121–162; FI: 20–25.

Head yellow, with slightly lighter yellow antennae; cuticular surface shining. Pubescence covering head appressed, but long, giving it a shaggy appearance. Scapes surpass posterior margin by about the length of the first 3–4 funicular segments; scapes covered in short, decumbent pubescence. Mesosoma yellow and compact; a fine pubescence covers entire mesosomal dorsum. Metanotal area distinct, with prominent mesonotal spiracles. Pronotum rises steeply from anterior margin to dorsum. Propodeum possesses a short, slightly rounded dorsal face, with a long declivitous face. Legs yellow and in some specimens the trochanters and tarsi are slightly lighter yellow; gaster yellow.

Type Material
Holotype worker, MADAGASCAR: Prov. Antsiranana; P.N. Marojejy; 26.6 km 31° NNE Andapa; 18–21.xi.2003; elev. 1325 m; 14°26.2’ S, 49°44.6’E; Fisher et al. (BLF 9080) ; 6 paratype workers, same locality as holotype (CASC, ).

Etymology
The species epithet is a Greek noun in apposition for mouse eye, in reference to the small eyes found in this species.

References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics

 * LaPolla J. S., C. H. Cheng, B. L. Fisher. 2010. Taxonomic revision of the ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) genus Paraparatrechina in the Afrotropical and Malagasy region. Zootaxa 2387: 1-27.
 * Lapolla, J. S., C. H. Cheng, and B. L. Fisher. "Taxonomic revision of the ant (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) genus Paraparatrechina in the Afrotropical and Malagasy Regions." Zootaxa 2387 (2010): 1-27.