First record of genus Protanilla (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Leptanillinae) from India with description of a new species

• First record of the genus Protanilla from India
• Only the 9th known species of the rare genus to be described
• Revised key to known species of Protanilla of the World is provided.

Protanilla wardi sp. nov. from Kerala, India is described and illustrated, which also confirms first record of the genus from this country. The new species is somewhat close to P. rafflesi Bolton, 1990 for its anteriorly concave petiolar node but differs from the latter by its vertical, not anteriorly inclined postpetiolar node. The new species represents only the 9th known species of this rare ant genus to be described.

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