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Nylanderia impolita
| Nylanderia impolita | |
|---|---|
| |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Hymenoptera |
| Family: | Formicidae |
| Subfamily: | Formicinae |
| Tribe: | Lasiini |
| Genus: | Nylanderia |
| Species: | N. impolita |
| Binomial name | |
| Nylanderia impolita LaPolla & Fisher, 2011
| |
The types were collected in a malaise trap placed in coastal lowland rainforest that was part of a forest margin along a river.
Identification
LaPolla et al. (2011) - Overall dark brown with rugulose head and mesosoma; SL ≥ 0.9 mm.
Compare with: Nylanderia lepida
This species has one of the longest scapes of any African Nylanderia. It is most likely to be confused with N. lepida, but N. lepida is generally smaller in overall size and its cuticle is typically very smooth and shining.
Keys including this Species
Distribution
Latitudinal Distribution Pattern
Latitudinal Range: 6.2° to -10.30805556°.
| North Temperate |
North Subtropical |
Tropical | South Subtropical |
South Temperate |
- Source: AntMaps
Distribution based on Regional Taxon Lists
Afrotropical Region: Angola, Central African Republic, Gabon (type locality), Ghana.
This species is widespread throughout West Africa.
Distribution based on AntMaps
Distribution based on AntWeb specimens
Check data from AntWeb
Countries Occupied
| Number of countries occupied by this species based on AntWiki Regional Taxon Lists. In general, fewer countries occupied indicates a narrower range, while more countries indicates a more widespread species. |
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Estimated Abundance
| Relative abundance based on number of AntMaps records per species (this species within the purple bar). Fewer records (to the left) indicates a less abundant/encountered species while more records (to the right) indicates more abundant/encountered species. |
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Biology
Castes
Images from AntWeb
   
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| Worker. Specimen code casent0281155. Photographer Cerise Chen, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences. | Owned by PSWC, Philip S. Ward Collection. |
   
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| Paratype of Nylanderia impolita. Worker. Specimen code casent0317039. Photographer Estella Ortega, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences. | Owned by CAS, San Francisco, CA, USA. |
   
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| Worker. Specimen code casent0405304. Photographer Estella Ortega, uploaded by California Academy of Sciences. | Owned by CAS, San Francisco, CA, USA. |
The queen and male castes are currently unknown for this species.
Nomenclature
The following information is derived from Barry Bolton's Online Catalogue of the Ants of the World.
- impolita. Nylanderia impolita LaPolla & Fisher, in LaPolla, Hawkes & Fisher, 2011: 16, figs. 10-12, 76 (w.) GABON.
Unless otherwise noted the text for the remainder of this section is reported from the publication that includes the original description.
Description
Worker
Measurements (n = 6): TL: 2.6–3.1; HW: 0.59–0.74; HL: 0.7–0.8; EL: 0.17–0.18; SL: 0.91–0.98; PW: 0.4–0.48; WL: 1.0–1.05; GL: 0.9–1.4
Indices: CI: 83–93; REL: 21–24; SI: 131–161
Overall the worker of N. impolita matches the description of Nylanderia lepida with the following differences: 1) larger overall size (TL: 2.6–3.1); 2) scape length ? 0.9 mm; 3) head and mesosoma rugulose; 4) mesopleuron with distinct rugulae; 5) mesosoma more elongated with lower pronotum than in N. lepida (WL ≥ 1.0 mm); 6) generally with more erect macrosetae present on the scapes (SMC > 20, often exceeding 30).
Type Material
Holotype worker, GABON: Prov. Ogoové-Maritime: Réserve des Monts Doudou, 24.3 km 307° NW Doussala, 2°13.35’ S, 10°24.35’ E, elev. 350 m; malaise trap, coastal lowland rainforest, forest margin along river; 9–10.iii.2000 (S. van Noort) (California Academy of Sciences) (CASENT0179589); 1 paratype worker, same label data as holotype; 1 paratype worker with same label data as holotype except date: 8.iii.2000; 1 paratype worker with same label data as holotype except date: 6–7.iii.2000 (CASC, National Museum of Natural History)
Etymology
The specific epithet impolita (L. = unpolished) is in reference to the fact this species possesses a rugulose cuticle on the head and mesosoma.
References
- LaPolla, J.S., Hawkes, P.G. & Fisher, B.L. (2011) Monograph of Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the World, Part I: Nylanderia in the Afrotropics. Zootaxa 3110: 10–36.
References based on Global Ant Biodiversity Informatics
- LaPolla J. S.; P.G. Hawkes, and B.L. Fisher. 2011. Monograph of Nylanderia (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the World, Part I: Nylanderia in the Afrotropics. Zootaxa 3110: 10-36.