Lordomyrma curvata, Sarnat, E. M., 2006

Sarnat, E. M., 2006, Lordomyrma (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) of the Fiji Islands., Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 90, pp. 9-42 : 15-17

Lordomyrma curvata Sarnat, sp. n.

(Figs. 2, 3)

Description. Worker. TL 3.32-3.86, HL 0.72-0.73, HW 0.59-0.62, CI 0.83-0.86, SI 0.71- 0.73, REL 0.22-0.25, PSLI 1.25-1.30, MFLI 0.93-0.97, DPWI 1.05-1.10 (3 measured). A small reddish brown species with long upcurved spines, long hair and a broad well-defined antennal scrobe. In full face view, posterior margin of head evenly convex with rounded corners. Clypeus with one pair of carinae extending from posterior margin to anterior margin. Frontal carinae distinct, extending posteriorly behind eyes and curving back anteriorly to form both the upper and lower margins of the antennal scrobes. Eyes relatively large. In lateral view promesonotum modestly sized, convex. Propodeal spines acute, upcurved and divergent, one and one third times as long as width of procoxa in lateral view as measured from propodeal spiracle. Propodeal lobes strong, long and upturned. Petiole robustly built; in lateral view anterior face of node concave and steeply sloped, posterior face convex and gently sloped. Postpetiole with anterior and dorsal faces both evenly convex, apex occurring near midline, anterodorsally compressed. Mandibles smooth and shining with sparse setigerous foveolae. Middorsum of head smooth and shining with scattered setigerous foveolae; carinae present mesad of frontal carinae. Frontal lobes with one pair of carinae in addition to the frontal carinae. In oblique lateral view, rugoreticulum behind, above and below the eye; posterior corners of head rugoreticulate. Promesonotum smooth and shining with a few weak rugae on sides; smooth and shining on dorsum with scattered smaller foveolae laterally and larger foveolae near apex. In dorsal view, propodeum smooth and shining with a distinct transverse carina proximal to the metanotal groove; declivitous face smooth and shining. Sides of mesonotum, metapleuron and propodeum overlain by coarse, widely spaced and occasionally intersecting rugae. Petiole and postpetiole coarsely rugoreticulate. All dorsal surfaces with acuminate yellowish hairs, the longest of which exceed the length of the eye. Head, mesosoma and gaster reddish brown, appendages lighter.

Type Material. Holotype. Worker, FIJI: Vanua Levu: Kasavu Village, 16°42'S 179°39'E, 300 m, 28.viii.2003 (A. Rakabula) (FNIC). Paratype. 1 worker, same data as holotype (NMNH). Holotype will be deposited in FNIC.

Other Material Examined. FIJI: Vanua Levu: nr. Nakanakana Village, 16°37'S 179°50'E, 300 m, 28.viii.2003, from sifted litter (A. Rakabula); Ndreketi Village, 25.X.1977 (G. Kuschel).

Discussion. One of the smallest species of Fijian Lordomyrma , in general appearance L. curvata is most similar to L. levifrons and L. polita . Like these species it has relatively large eyes, long propodeal spines and lobes, and a reddish brown integument. Two characters that separate curvata from the aforementioned species are the upturned shape of the propodeal spines and the well-developed rugoreticulum present posterior to the eyes. While L. rugosa and L. striatella both possess rugoreticulate occipital corners, only in L. curvata are the antennal scrobes and area between the frontal carinae covered by a smooth and shining surface. The only other species that possesses strongly upcurved spines is L. stoneri , from which L. curvata can be readily differentiated by the rugoreticulate posterior corners of the head and substantially smaller size.

Distribution and Biology. The three known collections of L. curvata are restricted to the island of Vanua Levu, two of which were taken by litter sifting. Thus far, L. curvata is the only species of Lordomyrma that is endemic to Vanua Levu.