Aenictus doryloides Wilson, 1964

Jaitrong, Weeyawat & Yamane, Seiki, 2013, The Aenictus ceylonicus species group (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Aenictinae) from Southeast Asia, Journal of Hymenoptera Research 31, pp. 165-233 : 219-221

Aenictus doryloides Wilson Fig. 28A-D

Aenictus doryloides Wilson, 1964: 460, figs 54-55; Bolton 1995: 59.

Type material examined.

Holotype and 2 paratype workers (MCZC, examined) from NC. India, Solon, 1400 m alt. near Simla, 8.VIII.1944 (L. Weatherill, acc. No. 9).

Worker measurements

(holotype and 2 paratypes). TL 2.70-2.90 mm; HL 0.58-0.63 mm; HW 0.55-0.58 mm; SL 0.38-0.39 mm; ML 0.83-0.88 mm; PL 0.25-0.28 mm CI 92-96; SI 67-68.

Worker description

(holotype and paratypes). Head in full-face view subrectangular, slightly longer than broad, sides weakly convex and posterior margin almost straight or feebly convex. Antennal scape relatively short, reaching only half length of head; antennal segment II slightly longer than broad; III-VII almost as long as broad; X almost as long as VII+VIII+IX. Frontal carinae relatively short, slightly extending beyond the level of posterior margin of torulus. Parafrontal ridge absent. Anterior clypeal margin strongly concave, concealed by curved anterior extension of frontal carinae. Masticatory margin of mandible with 3 teeth including a large apical tooth; basal margin concave. Maximum width of gap between anterior clypeal margin and mandibles almost as wide as maximum width of mandible. Promesonotum almost flat; metanotal groove indistinct; mesopleuron not clearly demarcated from metapleuron; metapleural gland bulla relatively small, its maximum diameter 2.4 times as long as distance between propodeal spiracle and metapleural gland bulla. Propodeum in profile with straight dorsal outline; propodeal junction bluntly angulate; declivity of propodeum widely and shallowly concave, encircled with a thin rim. Petiole slightly longer than high, with its dorsal outline convex; subpetiolar process large, consisting of a rectangular base, which is forward-projecting, surmounted by a thin, acute, posteriorly directed flange. Postpetiole shorter than petiole, with its dorsal outline convex.

Head including antennal scape entirely smooth and shiny. Mandible with fine longitudinal striation, except along masticatory margin smooth and shiny. Dorsa of pronotum and mesonotum smooth and shiny; lateral face of pronotum feebly microreticulate and feebly shiny; remainder of mesosoma more strongly microreticulate and opaque. Petiole and postpetiole microreticulate except dorsa smooth and shiny. Legs entirely smooth and shiny.

Head with relatively sparse standing hairs mixed with dense short hairs over surface; mesosoma dorsally with relatively sparse standing hairs mixed with sparse decumbent hairs; longest pronotal hair 0.15-0.18 mm long. Head, mesosoma, petiole, and postpetiole reddish brown; gaster and legs yellowish brown; mandible dark brown.

Distribution.

India.

Bionomics.

So far this species has been found only from the type locality located in the hinterland.

Remarks.

Aenictus doryloides is separated from the other species of the group by the following characteristics: anterior clypeal margin strongly concave, concealed by curved anterior extension of frontal carinae (the conformation of the anterior part of the head is, in fact, strongly reminiscent of some species of Dorylus ) and mesosomal dorsum flat.It is very similar to Aenictus brevipodus . See under Aenictus brevipodus .

Figures

Figure 28. Aenictus doryloides (paratype). A Head in full-face view B body in profile C body in dorsal view; labels of paratype.