Syllophopsis cryptobia ( Santschi, 1921 )

Sharaf, Mostafa R., Fisher, Brian L., Collingwood, Cedric A. & Aldawood, Abdulrahman S., 2017, Ant fauna (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Socotra Archipelago (Yemen): zoogeography, distribution and description of a new species, Journal of Natural History (J. Nat. Hist.) 51 (5 - 6), pp. 317-378 : 352-354

Syllophopsis cryptobia ( Santschi, 1921)

( Figure 19 (a–c))

Monomorium cryptobium Santschi, 1921: 119 , fig. 2 (w.) Democratic Republic of Congo. Afrotropic.

Heterick, 2006: 162 (q.). Combination in Monomorium : Bolton, 1987: 421; in Syllophopsis: Ward, Brady, Fisher & Schultz, 2015: 13.

Diagnosis

Worker. Eyes minute and consisting of a single ommatidium, located in front of midlength of head; promesonotum in profile with its dorsal outline evenly convex, not strongly dome-shaped; metanotal groove deeply and distinctly impressed in a U-shape; highest point of propodeum immediately behind the metanotal groove, without a sharp central peak or narrow transverse crest; propodeal dorsum meeting declivity with a small dent; body smooth and shining except for cross-ribbing at mesopleural–propodeal junction; all body surfaces covered with sparse, fine hairs, cephalic and gastral pilosity denser than mesosomal pilosity; uniform clear yellow, first gastral tergite light brown, some specimens pale brown-yellow.

Measurements of workers

EL 0.02; HL 0.42–0.48; HW 0.31–0.39; ML 0.49–0.55; PH 0.12–0.14; PL 0.11–0.15; PPH 0.09– 0.12; PPL 0.07–0.09; PPW 0.11–0.14; PRW 0.17–0.28; PW 0.09–0.14; SL 0.31–0.38; TL 1.64– 2.14; CI 69–87; SI 89–106 (N = 16).

Material examined

Yemen, Socotra Island, Dehejamo , 12.59049°N, 54.05205°E, 563 m. 22 April 2014, (M.R. Sharaf Leg.) (16 workers, KSMA, 1 w, CASC) .

Geographic range

This species is originally described from Democratic Republic of Congo and is widespread throughout the forests of west and central Africa ( Bolton 1987). It is recorded for the first time from Socotra Archipelago.

Ecological and biological notes

Workers of Syllophopsis cryptobia were found on a mountainside near former drainage of the mountain crest. The area has a high plant diversity dominated by Adiantum capillus-veneris L. ( Pteridaceae ). This species was collected from leaf litter using a sifting tray where the soils were moist. This ant was found coexisting with Brachyponera sennaarensis . In Africa, this species has been report to be abundant in layers of topsoil and leaf litter ( Bolton 1987).

Figures

Figure 19. Syllophopsis cryptobia. (a) Body in profile. (b) Head in full-face view, CASENT0746603, AntWeb.org, (Zach Lieberman). (c) Distribution map.