The Aenictus ceylonicus species group (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Aenictinae) from Southeast Asia
Author
Jaitrong, Weeyawat
Natural History Museum, National Science Museum, Technopolis, Khlong 5, Khlong Luang, Pathum Thani, 12120 Thailand
Author
Yamane, Seiki
Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, 890 - 0065 Japan
text
Journal of Hymenoptera Research
2013
2013-03-20
31
165
233
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/jhr.31.4274
journal article
http://dx.doi.org/10.3897/jhr.31.4274
1314-2607-31-165
FAAB47049E2C438CBA06B4FAFC6E8CB5
FF98FFEAFF9EFFC89B701808A261E601
574807
Aenictus minipetiolus
sp. n.
Fig. 14A-C
Type material examined.
Holotype. INDONESIA:
Worker from Lombok, near Senaru, 27.X.1998, leg. I.K.T. Ginarsa, KT-100 (MZB).
Paratypes.
Four workers, same data as holotype (SKYC, THNHM).
Worker measurements
(holotype and paratypes, n = 5). TL 2.70-3.10 mm; HL 0.60-0.68 mm; HW 0.54-0.65 mm; SL 0.40-0.48 mm; ML 0.83-0.95 mm; PL 0.20-0.23 mm; CI 90-96; SI 72-74.
Worker description
(holotype and paratypes). Head in full-face view subrectangular, slightly longer than broad, sides weakly convex, posterior margin feebly concave; occipital margin bearing a distinct carina. Antennal scape relatively short, not reaching
2
/3 of head length. Frontal carina relatively short, reaching the level of posterior margin of torulus. Parafrontal ridge feeble and incomplete. Anterior clypeal margin almost straight, not concealed by curved anterior extension of frontal carina. Masticatory margin of mandible with large acute apical tooth followed by a medium-sized subapical tooth, 1-2 denticles, and a medium-sized basal tooth; basal margin bladed (distal 2/3 straight and proximal 1/3 sloping gradually to the base of mandible). Maximum width of gap between anterior clypeal margin and mandibles about 1.2 times as broad as maximum width of mandible. Promesonotum convex dorsally and sloping gradually to metanotal groove; mesopleuron relatively long, clearly demarcated from metapleuron by a groove; metapleural gland bulla relatively large, its maximum diameter about 1.6 times as long as distance between propodeal spiracle and metapleural gland bulla. Propodeum in profile with almost straight dorsal outline; propodeal junction angulate; declivity of propodeum flat, with blunt lateral carinae but not demarcated basally by a transverse carina. Petiole almost as long as high, node short, and dorsal outline convex;
subpetiolar
process low and short, its ventral outline convex. Postpetiole clearly larger than petiole, its dorsal outline slightly elevated posteriorly.
Head including mandible and antennal scape entirely smooth and shiny. Entire mesosoma smooth and shiny except for mesopleuron with relatively irregular longitudinal rugae; petiole and postpetiole entirely smooth and shiny.
Head and mesosoma dorsally with relatively sparse standing hairs; longest pronotal hair 0.23-0.25 mm long. Head, petiole, gaster, antennal scape, and legs yellowish brown; mesosoma reddish brown; mandible dark brown.
Figure 14.
Aenictus minipetiolus
(holotype).
A
Head in full-face view
B
body in dorsal view
C
body in profile.
Etymology.
The specific name refers to the small petiole.
Distribution.
Lombok (
Fig. 26A
).
Bionomics.
So far this species has been known only from the type locality.
Remarks.
Aenictus minipetiolus
is similar to
Aenictus baliensis
,
Aenictus longicephalus
and
Aenictus wiwatwitayai
(see under
Aenictus baliensis
). It is a distinct species and is easily distinguished from the other species of the group by the almost entirely smooth and shiny body and the unique mandible (distal 2/3 of basal margin straight, proximal 1/3 concave).