Anochetus subcoecus Forel, 1912

Chen, Zhilin, Yang, Zhigang & Zhou, Shanyi, 2019, Review of the ant genus Anochetus Mayr, 1861 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) from China, with revival of the valid status of Anochetus gracilis, Journal of Hymenoptera Research 68, pp. 49-74 : 49

Anochetus subcoecus Forel, 1912

Fig. 10

Anochetus subcoecus Forel, 1912. [Type worker images examined, AntWeb, FOCOL0345, photos by Christiana Klingenberg].

Non-type material examined.

5 workers, CHINA, Tibet, Medog Country, Medog Village, 29.32N, 95.34E, 1230 m, 27.VIII.2016, leg. Zhilin Chen, No. G160632; 1 worker, CHINA, Guangxi, Fangchenggang City, Mt. Shiwandashan, 21.18N, 107.95E, 450 m, 24.VI.2014, leg. Zhilin Chen, No. G140055.

Workers.

TL 4.90-5.34, HL 1.05-1.11, HW 0.94-0.97, CI 85-87, SL 0.80-0.83, SI 82-84, ED 0.08-0.09, PW 0.54-0.56, MSL 1.16-1.19, PL 0.20-0.21, PH 0.44-0.45, DPW 0.24-0.26, LPI 246-250, DPI 118-121 (n = 5).

In full-face view head longer than broad, posterior margin strongly concave. Mandibles linear, gradually broadened apically; inner margin without denticles; apical portion with three distinct teeth. Antennae 12-segmented; scapes short, not reaching to posterior corner of head. Eyes very small.

In lateral view mesosoma stout. Pronotum moderately convex. Promesonotal suture narrowly impressed. Dorsal margin of mesonotum nearly straight, weakly sloping posteriorly. Metanotal groove weakly concave. Dorsum of propodeum almost straight, posterodorsal corner with a pair of short blunt teeth. Petiole thin and erect, long triangle shaped, narrowing apically, anterior margin straight, posterior margin weakly convex, dorsal margin acute; subpetiolar process developed, nearly rectangular and angled ventrally.

Frons and vertex longitudinally striate, remainder of head punctate, frontal lobes weakly striate, clypeus and antennal scrobes smooth and shining. Mesosoma, petiole and gaster smooth and shining, propodeum weakly punctate.

Dorsum of head with scattered suberect hairs and dense subdecumbent pubescence; dorsa of mesosoma and gaster with abundant suberect hairs and abundant decumbent pubescence; scapes and tibiae with dense subdecumbent dense subdecumbent pubescence. Body yellowish brown.

Recognition.

This species can be easily separated from other named species of this genus by its very small eyes and distinct propodeal teeth.

Distribution.

Known from China (Taiwan, Guangxi, Yunnan, Tibet).

Revival of the valid status of Anochetus gracilis

Figures

Figure 10. Anochetus subcoecus worker (No. G 160632). A head in full-face view B mandible in anterior view C body in dorsal view D body in lateral view.