Aenictus decolor ( Mayr, 1879 )

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 : 22-23

Aenictus decolor ( Mayr, 1879)

( Figs 1 F , 7 A–E , 8 )

Typhlatta decolor MAYR, 1879: 668 (diagnosis in key) (w.)

Syntype EAST AFRICA. (Smith) (1w) [ CASENT0919639 ] NMHW: Coll. Mayr [Examined]; Syntypes, same data (1w each) [ NHMUK 012849174 to NHMUK 012849177 ] BMNH [Examined].

Aenictus decolor DALLA TORRE, 1893: 7 [Combination in Aenictus ]. Aenictus batesi FOREL, 1911: 255 (w.) Syntype NIGERIA: Alt. Calabar (H. N. Bates) (1w) [CASENT0907024] NHMB [Examined]; Syntype, same series (1w) [Examined]; Syntype, same data, MHNG Coll. Forel (4 pins, 1w each) [Examined] [Junior synonym of decolor: GOTWALD & LEROUX, 1980: 600].

Aenictus decolor Mayr ; GOTWALD & LEROUX, 1980: 602 (Q.) IVORY COAST.

DESCRIPTION ( Figs 1 F , 7 A–E ). WORKER HL: 0.69 [0.67-0.72]; HW: 0.65 [0.60-0.70]; SL: 0.60 [0.57-0.63]; WL: 1.16 [1.12-1.21]; PL: 0.25 [0.23-0.26]; PH: 0.19 [0.18-0.21]; PPL: 0.20 [0.18-0.22]; PPH: 0.18 [0.15-0.19]; CS: 0.67 [0.63-0.71]; CI: 93 [87-98]; SIL: 86 [83-89]; SIW: 93 [87-100]; WL/HW: 179 [170-190]; PI: 127 [119-138]; PPI: 113 [100-133]; CSR: 111; (n=9).

The workers of this species answer to the A. bidentatus description, except for its more developed mesosomal sculpture, consistently larger size and relatively longer scapes. (See discussion under A. bidentatus ).

OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. GABON: • Ogooué-Maritime, Réserve des Monts Doudou 370 m, -2.2225, 10.40583 05–12/03/2000, yellow pan trap (S. van Noort), coastal lowland rainforest (1w), sifted within forest [ CASENT0317077 ] CASC • Ogooué-Maritime, Reserve de la Moukalaba-Dougoua , 12.2 km 305° NW Doussala 110 m, -2.28333, 10.49717 24/02- 03/03 /2000. yellow pan trap (S. van Noort). coastal lowland rainforest (1w), sifted within forest [ CASENT0746807 ] CASC . GHANA: • Kade (Majer, J. D.) (2w), on cocoa [ NHMUK 012849180 ] BMNH . GUINEA: • Nzérékoré, Seringbara , Near camp (Nimba) 674m 29/11/2017. Canopy fogging (D. Van der Spiegel). Primary Forest, Canopy cover 80% (2w) [ MRACFOR000856 ] MRAC • same data (2w) [ KGCOL 00584 ] KGPC .

DISTRIBUTION. Western and Central Africa, from the Guinean mountains to Gabon ( Fig. 8 ).

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. 7. Aenictus decolor, worker (CASENT0317077). 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. 8. Distribution of A. decolor. Type locality for A. decolor is “East Africa”.