Nesomyrmex njengelanga, Mbanyana, N. & Robertson, H. G., 2008

Mbanyana, N. & Robertson, H. G., 2008, Review of the ant genus Nesomyrmex (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Myrmicinae) in southern Africa., African Natural History 4, pp. 35-55 : 35

Nesomyrmex njengelanga sp. nov.

Fig. 3m -o

Description of worker

Holotype. HL 0.712, HW 0.531, HW1 0.590, CI 75, SL 0.477, SI 90, PW 0.398, AL 0.792, EL 0.197, EI 37.

Mandibles with fine longitudinal striations. Clypeus smooth and shining medially, bordered by longitudinal striations. Anterior clypeal margin evenly convex medially. Scapes of moderate length (SI 90). Eyes with 11 ommatidia in longest row. With head in full face view, hind margin shallowly convex. Promesonotum in profile evenly convex. Metanotal groove conspicuously impressed. Dorsum of propodeum evenly convex in profile with only a hint of angulate corners at the junction between the dorsum and declivity. Anterior peduncle with a prominent keel-shaped subpetiolar process. Metapleural lobes low and rounded. Petiolar node roundedin profile with dorsum poorly defined; junction between anterior face and dorsum more narrowly rounded than between posterior face and dorsum. Postpetiole low and rounded. Dorsum of head predominantly smooth, with fine reticulate sculpture and a few fine longitudinal striations near the inner margin of the eyes. Promesonotal dorsum predominantly smooth with fine reticulate sculpture. Metanotal groove with cross-ribs. Propodeal dorsum with reticulate punctate sculpture, aligned to form fine transverse striations. Both nodes predominantly smooth, with fine reticulate sculpture. First gastral tergite with a ring of short costulae at the base, otherwise smooth. Dorsum of head with at least seven pairs of erect hairs, with underlying sparse pubescence. The venter of head with four straight hairs, pubescence present. Promesonotal dorsum with seven pairs of erect hairs present. Propodeal dorsum with two pairs of erect hairs. Petiolar node with four pairs of suberect hairs, postpetiole with six pairs of suberect hairs. Gastral tergite and sternite with regularly spaced suberect hairs. Colour uniformly yellow.

Paratypes. HL 0.654-0.713, HW 0.507-0.538, HW1 0.556-0.592, CI 75-77, SL 0.433-0.462, SI 85-87, PW 0.359-0.398, ML 0.711-0.816, EL 0.186-0.210, EI 35-40 (4 of 4 measured)

Same as holotype except eyes with 10-11 ommatidia in longest row. There are 3-4 hairs on the venter of head. Promesonotal dorsum with 6-7 pairs of erect hairs. Postpetiole with 5-6 pairs of suberect hairs. Promesonotal dorsum either with fine reticulate sculpture or with longitudinal

striations towards the metanotal groove and reticulate sculpture anteriorly. Propodeal dorsum either unarmed or with only a hint of angulate corners at the junction between the dorsum and declivity.

Diagnosis

Nesomyrmex njengelanga is similar looking to N. inye and distinguished from the latter species by lacking long curved hairs on the venter of head, only straight hairs present. N. inye has curved hairs on the venter of head. It is also distinguished by its uniformly yellow colour as opposed to medium brown of N. inye .

Biology

Four specimens were collected from pitfall traps in Mountain Fynbos in the Cederberg of the Western Cape and one from Succulent Karoo in the Touwsrivier Nature Reserve.

Etymology

In isi-Xhosa, njengelanga means ‘like the sun ' and is used here to refer to the yellow colouration of the species.

Material examined

Holotype: South Africa: Western Cape: Mountain Fynbos, 32°18'38"S 19°10'60"E, 11 October 2002, A. Botes, CKOct02-CWA-16.2.7 , SAM-HYM-C019387 .

Paratypes: South Africa: Western Cape: Mountain Fynbos , 32°18'38"S 19°10'60"E, 11 October 2002, A. Botes, CKOct02-CWA-16.2.7 , SAM-HYM-C019387 ; Mountain Fynbos , 32°23'45"S 19°5'14"E, 8 October 2002; A. Botes, CKOct02-CWA-5.1.3 , SAM-HYM-C019388 ; Touwsrivier Private Nature Reserve , 33°17'54"S 19°57'31"E, collected in Mosaic vegetation, 19 March 2006, B. Braschler, Iimbovane TOU190306 1.5 , SAM-HYM-C019795 .