Paraparatrechina sohryngkham

Quick Summary

• Difficulty: Unknown
• Origin & Habitat: Only known from a single collection in a tea garden in Sohryngkham, East Khasi Hills, Meghalaya, India (25.544486N,91.95313E). The type specimens were collected from soil litter at an elevation around 1,500m in the subtropical northeastern Indian region ^[1][2].
• Colony Type: Unknown, only workers have been collected ^[1].
• Size & Growth:
  • Queen: Unknown, no queen specimens have been collected ^[1].
  • Worker: 1.70-1.77 mm total length ^[1].
  • Colony: Maximum colony size unknown, only eight workers have been collected ^[1].
  • Growth: Unknown
  • Development: Unknown, this species has never been kept in captivity ^[1]. (No development data exists for this newly described species.)
• Antkeeping:
  • Temperature: Unknown, no thermal studies exist. Based on the subtropical highland location of Meghalaya, expect moderate temperatures around 20-25°C ^[1][2].
  • Humidity: Unknown, collected from soil litter suggests moderate moisture. Keep substrate slightly damp but not waterlogged ^[1][2].
  • Diapause: Unknown, no seasonal data exists ^[1].
  • Nesting: Unknown, collected from soil litter suggests ground-nesting. Use small test tubes or nests with excellent escape prevention due to tiny size ^[1].
• Behavior: Unknown, no behavioral observations exist for this species ^[1].
• Common Issues: this species has never been kept in captivity, no husbandry guidance exists., extreme small size (1.7mm) creates serious escape risk requiring fine mesh barriers., only eight specimens have ever been collected, wild colonies are extremely rare., no information on diet, temperature tolerance, or humidity preferences exists., newly described in 2025 means no established care protocols from the antkeeping community.

Species Discovery and Rarity

Paraparatrechina sohryngkham was described in 2025 ^[1]. The entire scientific knowledge comes from just eight worker specimens collected in March 2023 from a tea garden in Meghalaya, India ^[1]. No queens, males, or colony structures have ever been documented. This means no captive care history exists, you would be pioneering the husbandry of a species that has never been kept alive by anyone ^[1]. The species was named after its type locality (Sohryngkham) and differs from its closest relative Paraparatrechina aseta in having five mandibular teeth instead of six, among other morphological differences ^[1].

Size and Morphology

This is a tiny ant species, workers measure only 1.70-1.77 mm in total length ^[1]. They are light brown overall with a lighter-colored metasoma and darker head. Their antennae and legs are pale yellow with a brownish tint at the base. The most distinctive features include large oval hairy eyes, five teeth on each mandible, and antennae that extend well beyond the posterior margin of the head ^[1]. Their body is covered in pinnate setae, and the clypeus is very convex and dome-like ^[1].

Natural Habitat and Distribution

Paraparatrechina sohryngkham is currently known only from its type locality in the East Khasi Hills of Meghalaya, India, at approximately 25.5°N latitude and 91.9°E longitude ^[1]. The region sits at around 1,500m elevation in the subtropical belt of northeastern India. The specimens were collected from soil litter in a tea garden, suggesting they nest in soil or decaying organic matter at ground level ^[1][2]. This extremely restricted distribution makes wild colonies exceptionally rare ^[1].

Housing and Escape Prevention

Given their extreme small size (1.7mm), housing presents unique challenges. Standard test tube setups may work, but you must use excellent escape prevention, these ants can squeeze through gaps that larger species cannot. Use tight-fitting lids, fine mesh barriers (at least 0.5mm or smaller), and reliable barrier methods like fluon. Because no captive observations exist, start with a simple test tube setup with a water reservoir and keep the colony in a small, enclosed outworld. Monitor constantly for escape attempts ^[1].

Feeding and Diet

Diet is completely unknown, no observations of feeding behavior exist for this species ^[1]. Start with standard ant foods: a sugar source (honey water or sugar water) and small protein sources (fruit flies, pinhead crickets, or other tiny arthropods). Observe carefully for acceptance. Because they are so small, any prey items must be appropriately sized, essentially micro-prey ^[1].

Temperature and Humidity

No specific temperature or humidity data exists for this species. The type locality in Meghalaya has a subtropical highland climate with moderate temperatures and high humidity ^[1][2]. As a starting point, keep them at room temperature (20-25°C) with moderate humidity. The substrate should be slightly damp but not waterlogged ^[1][2]. Because no captive data exists, observe colony behavior and adjust accordingly ^[1].

Frequently Asked Questions

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References