A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste
Author
Gómez, Kiko
Castelldefels, Barcelona, Spain
netodejulilla@gmail.com
text
Belgian Journal of Entomology
2022
2022-01-21
124
1
86
journal article
http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
6835c7bd-ee52-4d78-9c66-b91ab58b8675
2295-0214
5898821
1D61E1C2-5FF1-4E47-B6C8-74F7E50D6B29
eugenii
species group
DIAGNOSIS. This group is easily recognizable due to the linear mandibles that leave a gap against the clypeus when closed and have their clypeus reduced to two triangular denticles between (
A. eugenii
) or beneath (
A. mvuvii
sp. nov.
) the antennal sockets, exceptionally with another two–four smaller denticles outside the antennal sockets.
Pronotum convex and propodeum flat to slightly convex in lateral view; transverse mesopleural groove and mesometapleural suture present but not deeply impressed. Propodeal declivity slightly convex, encircled by a well-developed ridge. Femora and tibiae with its apical half swollen.
OVERVIEW. Two species in this group.
Aenictus eugenii
is a big species (HW 0.60-0.95) with relatively long scapes (SIL 70-85) and long, semierect to erect unequal setae, while
A. mvuvii
sp. nov.
is clearly smaller (HW
∼
0.50) with shorter scapes (SIL
∼
52) and appressed setae quite regular in size. These species seem to have different distributions, with
A. eugenii
being Southern and Eastern African and
A. mvuvii
sp. nov.
restricted to West Africa.