Aenictus mariae Emery, 1895

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 : 54-56

Aenictus mariae Emery, 1895

( Figs 37 A–D , 38 )

Aenictus mariae EMERY, 1895: 18 , pl. 2, figs. 5–7 (w.)

Syntype, SOUTH AFRICA: Transvaal, Makapan ( Limpopo ) (E. Simon) (1w). [ CASENT0903760 , seen on web] MSNG, Genoa, Italy .

Aenictus mariae var. natalensis Forel, in EMERY, 1901: 49 (w.)

Syntypes, SOUTH AFRICA: Natal ( Haviland ) 3 pins with 2w, 2w, and 1w MNHB [Examined] ; Syntypes, same data (3 pins, 2w each) MHNG [Examined] ; same data (17 pins, 3w each) MHNG [ CASENT0907029 , Examined]. Syn. nov.

DIAGNOSIS. This species can be separated from the rest of the mariae complex species as the dorsopropeum is mainly smooth (reticulated in A. hitai sp. nov.) and does not present the lateropropodeal pubescence characteristic to A. steindachneri. Separation of minors from A. boltoni sp. nov. can be difficult at first sight, but the petiole is clearly lower (PPI: 138 [130- 150], PPI: 113 [107-127] in A. boltoni sp. nov.) and hemispherical while it’s subquadrate with straight parallel anterior and posterior sides in A. boltoni sp. nov. The metapropodeal suture is almost non-existent in A. mariae minors but clearly visible in A. boltoni sp. nov., both laterally and dorsally.

DESCRIPTION ( Fig. 37 A–D ). WORKER HL: 0.49 [0.42-0.55]; HW: 0.41 [0.34-0.49]; SL: 0.25 [0.21-0.3]; WL: 0.65 [0.53-0.77]; PL: 0.17 [0.15-0.20]; PH: 0.12 [0.09-0.14]; PPL: 0.13 [0.11- 0.15]; PPH: 0.09 [0.08-0.11]; CS: 0.45 [0.38-0.52]; CI: 83 [78-88]; SIL: 52 [47-55]; SIW: 62 [58-66]; WL/HW: 159 [154-167]; PI: 143 [121-166]; PPI: 138 [130-150]; CSR: 137; (n=16).

Scapes short, just reaching the median line of the head when laid back (SIL~0.52). Funicular segments wider than long, the subapical quadrate, apical about twice longer than wide. Head variable from elongate and rectangular in the minor workers, slightly wider at major workers (CI 77-88). Occipital line straight. Frontal carinae small, not surpassing the torulus and fused between the antennal sockets. Frontal ridges developed distally and projecting over the clypeus in frontal view. Long, sharp apical tooth followed by 3–5 smaller triangular denticles.

Almost flat in lateral view, and subrectangular in dorsal view, mesopropodeal suture very weak, with propodeum and metanotum almost forming a continuous line. Transverse mesopleural groove present. Mesometapleural suture present but very weak. Propodeal declivity flat; propodeal ridge absent, sometimes a very faint line present in biggest workers.

Petiole sessile with anterolateral ridges present, anterodorsal and dorsolateral ridges absent. Petiolar dome elliptical with a short anterior face vertical. Postpetiole rounded, semispherical. Both domes without carinae or ridges of any kind. Subpetiolar process developed and variable, with a bulky rounded rectangular to elliptical process followed by a triangular lamellae oriented from forward to downward. Lamella very variable intranidally, from a very small triangle present in the anterior face of the process and pointing forward to covering the whole process and pointing downwards.

All body surfaces smooth and shining except for the slightly punctuated meso and metapleurae. Mandibles smooth and concolorous with head. Overall colour from light yellow to light brown.

Whole body covered with a short decumbent to reclinated small white setae. Dorsum of propodeum bare except for its anterior and posterior borders. The length of the setae smaller than petiole height. Another layer of longer, sparser erect setae present in upper half of head, mesosoma, metasoma and gaster, clearly longer than petiole height. Scapes and funiculus with decumbent to semierect pilosity, shorter than scape width. No pubescence noted.

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. SOUTH AFRICA: • Natal ( Haviland ) (1 pin with 2w, 4 pins 3w each) MHNG • Free State Province, Bloemfontein Botanical Garden 1400m, -29.05167, 26.21333 24/10/2011. hand collected (L. Almeida). bushveld & riparian vegetation (1w) [ CASENT0764134 ] FHGC; (8 pins, 1w each) [ CASENT0790582 to CASENT0790589 ] • Mpumalanga, Songimuelo NR , Kromdraai Camp . Komati River 800 m, -26.04278, 31.00139 19–23/03/2001. Pitfalls (D. Ubick) (1w) [ CASENT0006346 ] CASC • same data (3 pins, 1w each) [ CASENT0006348 ], [ CASENT0009118 ], [ CASENT0009121 ] • Zolouland ( Trogarth ) (2w) MNHB. ZIMBABWE: • Bulawayo ( Arnold ) (1w) MHNG • same data (3w) MHNG • Burthorne Mine (Bulawayo) 17/11/1912 (Arnold, G.) (2w) [ NHMUK012849267 ] BMNH.

DISTRIBUTION. Southern African, ranging to the North to Southern Zimbabwe ( Fig. 38 ).

Figures

Fig. 37. Aenictus mariae, worker (CASENT0256570). A, head, dorsal view. B, habitus, lateral view. C, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole, lateral view. D, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole, dorsal view.

Fig. 38. Distribution of A. mariae.