Aenictus mvuvii, 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 : 33-35

Aenictus mvuvii sp. nov.

Zoobank: B41E0019-7769-44E8-9560-4A9DD8B11B70

( Figs 1 D , 18 A–E , 19 )

Holotype worker, UGANDA: • Bundibugyo, Semuliki National Park 680 m, 0.84483, 30.15052 02/08/2012 (B.L. Fisher et al.). rainforest (1w), ex soil at base of tree [ CASENT0350555 ] CASC . Paratype workers: • same series (2 pins, 1w each) [CASENT0350556, CASENT0350557].

DIAGNOSIS. The combination of mandibular shape and reclinated pilosity make this species unmistakable. Other useful characters to differentiate it from A. eugenii are its small size, smaller than eugenii minima (0.44<HW<0.59 vs. 0.59<HW<0.89, 0.72<WL<0.91 vs. 1.02<WL<1.40) and relatively shorter antennae (52<SIL<63 vs. eugenii : 69<SIL<83).

DESCRIPTION ( Figs. 1 D , 18 A–E ). WORKER. HL: 0.54 [0.49-0.62]; HW: 0.50 [0.44-0.59]; SL: 0.31 [0.26-0.40]; WL: 0.80 [0.72-0.91]; PL: 0.19 [0.16-0.24]; PH: 0.16 [0.14-0.18]; PPL: 0.15 [0.13-0.17]; PPH: 0.14 [0.12-0.16]; CS: 0.52 [0.46-0.61]; CI: 93 [89-98]; SIL: 58 [52-63]; SIW: 62 [57-67]; WL/HW: 157 [151-163]; PI: 117 [106-133]; PPI: 109 [100-123]; CSR: 130; (n=12).

Scapes short, hardly surpassing the middle of the head when laid back (SIL~60). All funicular segments shorter than wide except apical, twice longer than wide. Head slightly elongate (CI~93), widest at its middle, subrectangular with convex sides and straight occiput with rounded corners.

Mandibles armed with one long sharp apical tooth, followed by 2–5 denticles. These can become seriously eroded in some individuals, seeming edentate.

Petiole subsessile with anterolateral, anterodorsal and posterodorsal carinae present, dorsolateral carinae absent; propodeal dome rounded, elliptical and low with a posterior vertical face in lateral view; postpetiole subrectangular with almost vertical anterior and vertical posterior faces, the dorsal straight and horizontal, both angles rounded square. Subpetiolar process always very developed, elliptical, rounded and with a big rounded triangular lamella facing downwards, longer posteriorly, its whole size clearly larger than the petiolar dome.

Head, pronotum, mesonotum, gaster and legs glassy smooth. Mandibles strongly rugulose; meso and metapleurae, propodeum, petiole and postpetiole strongly reticulated, sometimes alutaceus on postpetiole.

Body reddish brown, darker at mandibles and sutures; legs and gaster lighter, yellowish in some individuals.

Whole body with relatively short, reclinated white fine setae, those on petiole and postpetiole longer; semierect in funiculus, shorter than funiculus width; legs with decumbent to adpressed setae, shorter than femora. No pubescence noted.

DERIVATIO NOMINIS. The species name mvuvii is Latinized noun in the genitive case, dedicated to Dr. Brian Fisher (“mvuvi” in Swahili), who encouraged me to revise the genus and provided exceptionally valuable material.

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: • Sangha-Mbaéré, Parc National Dzanga-Ndoki , Mabéa Bai , 21.4 km 53° NE Bayanga 510 m, 3.03333, 16.41 01- 07/05/2001. MW 50 sample transect, 5m (B.L. Fisher). rainforest (1w), sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood) [ CASENT0406730 ] CASC. GABON: • Ogooué-Maritime, Aire d'Exploit. Rationnelle de Faune des Monts Doudou , 25.2 km 304° NW Doussala 640 m, -2.2275, 10.3945 14/03/2000. MW 50 sample transect, 5m (B.L. Fisher). rainforest (1w), sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood) [ CASENT0746805 ] CASC. GHANA: • Kumasi, FORIG , nr. pond, 6.71497, - 1.52908 09/01/2019. Hand (Gomez, K.). Frag. degr. For. (9w), ex soil [ KG03931 ] KGPC • same data (3w) [ KG03931E02 ] AFRC • Tafo 26/09/1970 (Bolton, B.). Cocoa leaf litter (6 pins, 2w each) [ NHMUK012849218 to NHMUK012849223 ] BMNH. IVORY COAST: • Dent (Man) 09/03/1977 (I. Löbl). For. Litter near river (1w) [ MHNGENTO00012639 ] MHNG • Montagnes District, Site 04 (Taï N. P.) 200m, 5.83093, -7.344 10/11/2019. Winkler (Gómez, K., Kouakou, L.). Primary Forest (1w), Litter [ KGCOL00436 ] KGPC • Montagnes District, Site 06 (Taï N. P.) 200m, 5.83458, -7.34638 12/11/2019. Winkler (Gómez, K., Kouakou, L.). Primary Forest (3w), Litter [ KGCOL00002 ] KGPC, • same data (+30w eth) [ KG04363 ].

DISTRIBUTION. West and Central Africa, known from Ivory Coast to Gabon, extending its range to the East to Uganda ( Fig. 19 ).

Figures

Fig. 1. Mandibular and clypeal shapes for the different species groups. A, gr. rotundatus (Aenictus guineensis, CASENT0876634). B, gr. koloi (Aenictus koloi, sp. nov., KGCOL00552). C, gr. eugenii (Aenictus eugenii, CASENT0235822). D, gr. eugenii (Aenictus mvuvii, sp. nov., CASENT0350555). E, gr. popeyei (Aenictus popeyei, sp. nov., CASENT0810234). F, gr. decolor (Aenictus decolor, CASENT0317077). G, gr. asantei (Aenictus asantei, NHMUK012849241). H, gr. rixator (Aenictus rixator, CASENT0907030).

Fig. 18. Aenictus mvuvii sp. nov., holotype (CASENT0350555). A, head, dorsal view. B, habitus, lateral view. C, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole, lateral view. D, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole, dorsal view. E, mandibles and clypeus, dorsal view.

Fig. 19. Distribution of A. mvuvii sp. nov.