Aenictus diclops Shattuck

Jaitrong, Weeyawat & Yamane, Seiki, 2011, Synopsis of Aenictus species groups and revision of the A. curra x and A. laeviceps groups in the eastern Oriental, Indo-Australian, and Australasian regions (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Aenictinae), Zootaxa 3128, pp. 1-46 : 15-16

Aenictus diclops Shattuck

( Figs. 15–16 )

Aenictus diclops Shattuck, 2008: 8 , figs. 9–10, 26.

Types. Holotype and 29 paratype workers from Queensland, Cape York, Jardine River, Telegraph Line, G. Monteith, 15–17 VI 1969, (ANIC, ANIC32-023689). Three paratypes were examined.

Measurements. Worker paratypes (n = 3): TL 4.80–4.95 mm; HL 0.90–0.95 mm; HW 0.75–0.83 mm; SL 0.78–0.83 mm; ML 1.53–1.58 mm; PL 0.33–0.35 mm; CI 83–89; SI 97–103.

Redescription of worker (paratypes). Head in full-face view clearly longer than broad, with sides convex and posterior margin almost straight; occipital margin bearing a distinct carina. Antennal scape extending beyond 2/3 of head length, but not reaching occipital corner of head. Frontal carina short, slightly extending beyond the level of posterior margin of torulus. Parafrontal ridge absent (although a sharp angle is present immediately posterior to the lateral clypeal margin). Masticatory margin of mandible with a large apical tooth followed by a medium-sized subapical tooth and 4-ca. 10 ill-defined crenulations. Promesonotum in profile convex dorsally and sloping gradually to metanotal groove. Propodeum in profile with convex dorsal outline; declivity of propodeum short, shallowly concave, and encircled with a thin rim. Petiole slightly longer than high, with its dorsal outline convex; subpetiolar process absent or at most a thin carina. Postpetiole almost as long as petiole, but rounder than petiole. Head including mandible entirely smooth and shiny; antennal scape superficially shagreened, partly smooth and shiny. Posterior pronotum smooth, anterior pronotum and entire mesonotum with weak, fine punctations; mesopleuron with longitudinal rugae; propodeum similar to mesonotum but sculpturing less well developed, especially anteriorly. Petiole smooth and shiny dorsally, its anterior and posterior portions punctate, lateral face microreticulate or shagreened with smooth and shiny bottoms. Postpetiole entirely smooth and shiny. Entire body dark reddish-brown, with a relatively small typhlatta spot on each occipital corner.

Distribution. Australia (Queensland).

Bionomics. Shattuck (2008) reported that this species is one of the rarest Australian Aenictus , being known from only two collections on northern Cape York Peninsula.

Remarks. This species is most similar to A. currax . See under A. currax for details.

Figures

FIGURES 11 – 16. Workers of Aenictus currax group. 11, 12, A. currax, lectotype; 13, 14, A. huonicus, holotype; 15, 16, A. diclops, paratype. 11, 13, 15, Head in full-face view; 12, 14, 16, habitus in profile.