Aenictus fuchuanensis Zhou, 2001

Jaitrong, Weeyawat & Yamane, Seiki, 2013, The Aenictus ceylonicus species group (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Aenictinae) from Southeast Asia, Journal of Hymenoptera Research 31, pp. 165-233 : 186-189

Aenictus fuchuanensis Zhou Fig. 8A-C

Aenictus fuchuanensis Zhou, 2001: 231, figs 74-75.

Types.

CHINA: Holotype and 19 paratype workers from Fuchaun County, Guangxi, 18.VI.1998, Shanyi Zhou leg (not examined).

Non-type material examined.

HONG KONG: New Territory, Taipo Kau, 26.VI.1999, leg. Sk. Yamane, HK99-SKY-03 (SKYC, THNHM); Victoria Park, 27.VI.1999, leg. Sk. Yamane (SKYC, THNHM). LAOS: Vientiane, Naxaythong Dist., Sivilay Village, 10.VI.2010, leg. W. Jaitrong, WJT10-LAO13 (= LA10-SKY-058, SKYC, THNHM). THAILAND: Uthai Thani Prov., Ban Rai Dist., Kan Ma Kud Village, 18.VI.2010, leg. W. Jaitrong, HKK10-06-04 (SKYC, THNHM); same loc., 17.VI.2010, W. Jaitrong leg., HKK10-06-08 (THNHM); NE. Thailand, Chaiyaphum Prov., Phu Kheao, 11.VI.1998, leg. W. Jaitrong, WJT98-TH058 (SKYC, THNHM); NE. Thailand, Chaiyaphum Prov., Phu Kheao, 30.I.1999, leg. W. Jaitrong, WJT99-TH056 (SKYC, THNHM); NE. Thailand, Nakhon Ratchasima Prov., Sakaerat, 27.VI.1998, leg. W. Jaitrong, AMK-10-03-100-51 (AMK); same loc., 9.VII.1999, leg. W. Jaitrong (SKYC, THNHM); same loc., 9.VII.1999, leg. Sk. Yamane, TH99-SKY-06 (SKYC, THNHM); C. Thailand, Nakhon Nayok Prov., Nang Rong Waterfall, 30.III.2005, leg. Sk. Yamane, TH05-SKY-04 (SKYC, THNHM); E. Thailand, Chachoengsao Prov., Thatakiab Dist., 27.VIII.2005, leg. W. Jaitrong, THNHM-I05-3461 (SKYC, THNHM; same loc., 29.V.2005, leg. W. Jaitrong, WJT05-E202 SKYC, THNHM); same loc., 22.VIII.2003, leg. Sk. Yamane, TH03-SKY-58 (SKYC, THNHM); same loc., 21.VIII.2003, leg. Sk. Yamane, TH03-SKY-29 (SKYC, THNHM); E. Thailand, Chanthaburi Prov., Pheao, 22.XI.2003, leg. D. Wiwatwitaya, TH03-DC18 (AMK, SKYC, THNHM), same loc., 4.IX.2006, leg. W. Jaitrong, WJT06-15 (SKYC, THNHM); E. Thailand, Chanthaburi Prov., Khao Soi Dao, 3.VI.2001, leg. Sk. Yamane, TH01-SKY-01 (AMK, SKYC, THNHM); same loc., leg. Sk. Yamane, TA970702-1 (SKYC, THNHM); same loc., leg. Sk. Yamane, TH99-SKY-06 (SKYC, THNHM); S. Thailand, Ranong Prov., Khlong Naka, Ranong Prov., 12.VIII.2009, leg. W. Jaitrong, WJT09-TH2059 (SKYC, THNHM); S. Thailand, Surathani Prov., Lumpun Village, 11.X.2011, leg. W. Jaitrong, TH11-WJT-27 (SKYC, THNHM); S. Thailand, Trang Prov., Khao Chong Botanical Garden, 16.IV.2000, leg. W. Jaitrong, AMK-10-01-03-117-70 (AMK); S. Thailand, Songkhla Prov., Ton Nga Chang, 24.VII.1997, leg. H. Okido, TH97-HO-102 (SKYC, THNHM). CAMBODIA: Ratanakiri Prov., Virachey N.P., 13.X.2007, leg. Stephane De Greef, SDG433 (SKYC).

Worker measurements

(n = 10). TL 3.10-3.45 mm; HL 0.63-0.70 mm; HW 0.70-0.75 mm; SL 0.53-0.58 mm; ML 0.98-1.05 mm; PL 0.25-0.28 mm CI 107-112; SI 75-79.

Description of worker.

Head in full-face view slightly shorter than broad, anterior portion slightly broader than posterior portion, sides convex and posterior margin almost straight; occipital margin bearing a carina. Antennal scape relatively long, reaching 2/3 of head length. Frontal carina short, slightly extending beyond the level of posterior margin of torulus. Masticatory margin of mandible with 4 teeth, including a large apical tooth; basal margin feebly concave. Maximum width of gap between anterior clypeal margin and mandibles about 2 times as broad as maximum width of mandible. Promesonotum strongly convex dorsally and sloping gradually to metanotal groove that is indistinct; metapleural gland bulla relatively small, its maximum diameter about 2 times as long as distance between propodeal spiracle and metapleural gland bulla. Propodeum in profile with almost straight dorsal outline; propodeal junction acutely angulated; declivity of propodeum broad, shallowly concave, and encircled with a distinct rim. Petiole cylindrical, distinctly longer than high, with its dorsal outline slightly elevated posteriorly, posterior face of petiole flat, and encircled with a indistinct carina; subpetiolar process generally weakly developed, seen in profile its ventral outline almost straight or weakly convex, and anteroventral corner acutely angulated. Postpetiole almost as long as petiole, with its dorsal outline elevated posteriorly.

Head entirely smooth and shiny. Mandible with fine longitudinal striation. Basal half of antennal scape microreticulate; apical half smooth and shiny. Promesonotum reticulate except anteriormost portion punctate; mesopleuron, metapleuron and propodeum punctuate; in addition mesopleuron and metapleuron with approximately 10 longitudinal rugae. Petiole and postpetiole densely punctate. Femora entirely smooth and shiny except punctate basal portion; tibiae entirely smooth and shiny.

Head and mesosoma dorsally with relatively dense standing hairs; longest pronotal hair 0.23-0.25 mm long. Head and mesosoma dark reddish brown; petiole, postpetiole and antenna reddish brown; gaster and legs yellowish brown, paler than head, mesosoma and waist; mandible dark brown.

Distribution.

South China, Hong Kong, Laos and Thailand ( Fig. 24A ).

Bionomics.

Although nothing is mentioned by Zhou (2001) on the bionomics of Aenictus fuchuanensis , judging from the collection records of the non-type material this species mainly inhabits forests.

Remarks.

Aenictus fuchuanensis is similar to Aenictus maneerati , Aenictus pinkaewi , and Aenictus sundalandensis in having the long cylindrical petiole and the short head (CI 100-112). It is most similar to Aenictus pinkaewi but the sculpturing on the mesosoma is weaker than in the latter (anterior portion of pronotum densely punctate, lateral face of pronotum finely reticulate in the former, while promesonotum entirely punctate in the latter).

Figures

Figure 8. Aenictus fuchuanensis (non-type from Hong Kong). A Head in full-face view B body in dorsal view C body in profile.

Figure 24. Distribution of Aenictus ceylonicus group. A Aenictus formosensis, Aenictus fuchuanensis, Aenictus lifuiae B Aenictus brevipodus, Aenictus concavus, Aenictus thailandianus, Aenictus wiwatwitayai.