Aenictus nyuyi, Gómez, 2022

Gómez, Kiko, 2022, A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste, Belgian Journal of Entomology 124, pp. 1-86 : 71-72

Aenictus nyuyi sp. nov.

Zoobank: 8400E204-F1F1-4272-92EB-EC2A02D9BA6F

( Figs 54 A–D , 55 )

Holotype worker, SENEGAL: • Kedougou, Afia Forest ( Dindefelo ) 395m, 12.36497, -12.3049 15/07/2017. Winkler (Diallo, A.). Gallery For. (1w) [ KGCOL00560 ] BMNH.

Paratype workers: • same series (1w) [ KGCOL00561 ] BMNH; (1w) [ KGCOL00562 ] CASC; (1w) [ KGCOL00563 ] MHNG; (1w) [ KGCOL00564 ] RBINS; (1w) [ KGCOL00565 ] FHGC; (1w) [ KGCOL00566 ] SAMC; (1w) [ KGCOL00567 ] AFRC; (1w) [ KGCOL00568 ] YKPC; (1w) [ KGCOL00569 ] KGPC.

DIAGNOSIS. Exceptionally long scapes (SIL>80, against SIL<75 for the rest of species in the group) makes this species easily recognizable. Also, the lack of developed subpetiolar process separates it from the rest of species in the rotundatus complex except for A. weissi , but these two are differentiable due to the absence of propodeal ridge against a well-developed one in A. weissi .

DESCRIPTION ( Fig. 54 A–D ). WORKER HL: 0.61 [0.57-0.63]; HW: 0.51 [0.47-0.54]; SL: 0.49 [0.46-0.53]; WL: 0.98 [0.90-1.07]; PL: 0.22 [0.20-0.25]; PH: 0.15 [0.13-0.17]; PPL: 0.17 [0.15- 0.19]; PPH: 0.13 [0.12-0.15]; CS: 0.56 [0.52-0.59]; CI: 83 [82-85]; SIL: 81 [79-84]; SIW: 97 [95-100]; WL/HW: 191 [181-196]; PI: 149 [142-161]; PPI: 128 [121-133]; CSR: 112; (n=10).

Scapes relatively long, surpassing three quarters of head (SIL ~ 80). Funicular segments elongated, apical twice and a half times longer than wide. Head rectangular, longer than wide (CI~83), convex laterally and widest at the middle. Occipital line straight to slightly convex. ventrolateral margin not developing ventrally.

Mandibles triangular with a long, sharp apical tooth and 5–7 smaller denticles, usually eroded. Frontal ridges present, not fused and not projecting frontally.

Pronotum convex, mesonotum a straight line, propodeum slightly elevated over mesonotum, with a small anterior straight face and flat dorsum, mesopropodeal suture weak. Transverse mesopleural and mesometapleural sutures present but weak; propodeal ridge present as a thin ridge, conspicuous; propodeal declivity concave.

Petiole subsessile with anterolateral and anterodorsal ridges present, dorsolateral ridge present, weak and short, reaching the petiolar spiracle. Petiole with an anterior slope straight to rounded, dorsally rounded and vertical posteriorly, posterodorsal angle straight and rounded. Postpetiole subrectangular, rounded, with vertical anterior and posterior faces, without carinae or ridges. Subpetiolar process poorly developed as an ellipse clearly longer than high without lamella with a small triangular extension anteriorly, similar in size to prora.

Mandibles finely horizontally rugulose, shagreened; whole body glassy smooth except for; the reticulated mesopleurae, propodeum, lateropetiole and lateropostpetiole from alutaceus to reticulated. Some workers with smooth propodeum patches dorsally and laterally. Some short rugulae may appear on meso-metapleural suture and continue on lateropropodeum. Overall colour light brown to brown.

White, scattered, moderately long, decumbent to semierect setae present at head, scapes, dorsum of pronotum, petiole, postpetiole, gaster and legs. Dorsopropodeum bare. No pubescence noted.

DERIVATIO NOMINIS. The species name nyuyi is a non-Latin noun used in apposition and is the Fula word for ‘small ant’.

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. SENEGAL: • Kedougou, Afia Forest ( Dindefelo ) 395m, 12.36497, -12.3049 15–21/11/2018. Winkler (Diallo, A.). Gallery For. (+20w) [ KG03862 ] KGPC • same data (4w) [ KGCOL00570 ] KGPC.

DISTRIBUTION. West Africa, known only from South Eastern Senegal ( Fig. 55 ).

Figures

Fig. 54. Aenictus nyuyi sp. nov., paratype (KGCOL00562). A, head, dorsal view. B, habitus, lateral view. C, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole, lateral view. D, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole, dorsal view.

Fig. 55. Distribution of A. nyuyi sp. nov.