Prenolepis shanialena, sp. nov.

(Figs 115–117)

Holotype worker. VIETNAM: Lai Chau Province, Mount Fansipan (K. Eguchi) (IEBR: USNMENT00755093); 2 paratype workers, same locality as holotype (USNM: USNMENT00755136).

Worker diagnosis. In profile view, the anterior border of the mesonotum bulges and rises above the pronotum (Fig 26).

Most similar species. P. mediops

Morphology. Worker. Measurements (n=20): CMC: 8–16; EL: 0.21–0.27; EW: 0.18–0.22; HL: 0.73–0.92; HLA: 0.35–0.47; HLP: 0.22–0.31; HW: 0.66–0.85; IOD: 0.46–0.59; LF1: 0.18–26; LF2: 0.09–0.15; LHT: 0.83– 1.35; MMC: 1–2; MTW: 0.39–0.48; MW: 0.26–0.35; PDH: 0.28–0.40; PMC: 1–3; PrCL: 0.43–0.56; PrCW: 0.25– 0.32; PrFL: 0.69–1.00; PrFW: 0.17–0.23; PTH: 0.30–0.42; PTL: 0.29–0.40; PTW: 0.24–0.29; PW: 0.47–0.58; SL: 0.83–1.18; TL: 3.01–4.28; WF1: 0.06–0.08; WF2: 0.06–0.07; WL: 0.94–1.30; BLI: 134–164; CI: 81–95; EPI: 142–172; FLI: 173–215; HTI: 119–149; PetHI: 97–106; PetWI: 70–82; PrCI: 55–60; PrFI: 21–26; REL: 28–33; REL2: 30–35; REL3: 43–51; SI: 122–145.

Light to medium brown; cuticle of head, pronotum, mesopleuron, and gaster smooth and shiny; abundant decumbent setae on scapes and legs; long, erect macrosetae on head, pronotum, mesonotum, propodeum, and gaster; head slightly longer than broad and round in shape with indistinct posterolateral corners and a convex posterior margin; compound eyes moderately large and convex, but do not surpass the lateral margins of the head in full-face view; torulae overlap the posterior border of the clypeus; anterior border of clypeus with a pair of prominent anterolateral lobes (Fig 49); mandibles with 6 teeth on the masticatory margin; ectal surface of mandibles smooth and shiny; in profile view, the anterior border of the mesonotum bulges above the pronotum (Fig 26); propodeum is obtusely angled with a softly rounded dorsal face; dorsal apex of petiole scale is sharply angled and forward-inclined (Fig 53).

Etymology. The specific epithet is a combination of Shani and Alena, the first and middle name of the first author’s fiancée.

Notes. This species is most similar to P. mediops but has larger compound eyes and a distinct anterodorsal bulge in the mesonotum that rises above the pronotum. Prenolepis shanialena also has a pair of prominent anterolateral lobes on its clypeus, which is not seen in P. mediops.

Other material examined. CHINA: Yunnan, Gaoligong Shan, Nujiang State Nat. Res., 2000m, 27.715°N 98.565°E, 9–14.vii.2000 (D.H. Kavanaugh et al.); Yunnan, Gaoligong Shan, Dulongiang Twp 1333m, 27.73453°N 98.35041°E, 03.xi.2004 (V.F. Lee); NEPAL: Jomsom, 28°37’N 83°38’E, 2300m, 4.xii.1988 (P.S. Ward); THAILAND: Doi Inthanon N.P., nr Chiang Mai, 2000m, 20.viii.1998 (S. Yamane); VIETNAM: Lao Cai, Sa Pa (K. Eguchi). In: CASC, MCZC, USNM.