Cardiocondyla allonivalis Seifert 2023

Seifert, Bernhard, 2024, A taxonomic revision of the ants of the Cardiocondyla wroughtonii group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with a checklist of the Cardiocondyla species of the world, Soil Organisms (London, England) 96 (2), pp. 113-144 : 133-134

Cardiocondyla allonivalis Seifert 2023

[type investigation]

This taxon has been described from Papua New Guinea. Investigated was the Holotype and one paratype worker on separate pins, both labelled ‘PNG: 5.25°S, 145.267°N, Wanang, Sogeram riv. 95 m, Bait trap – ground – D4, coll. Janda 2007.10.23 ’; depository SMN Görlitz.

All material examined. Examined were four samples with five workers from Papua New Guinea – three samples through direct stereomicroscopic evaluation and one sample through photo evaluation of the specimen CASENT0914964 in www.antweb.org. For details see supplementary information SI1, SI2 .

Geographic range. The species is so far only known from sea level up to 350 m in four sites in Papua New Guinea: Cape Wom (3.533°S, 143.583°E) ; Wanang (5.250°S, 145.267°E) , Goldie River (9.30°S, 147.42°E) and Popondetta (8.77°S, 148.24°E) .

Diagnosis: --Worker (Figs 19–22, Tab. 1, pictures CASENT0914964 in ww.antweb.org): Very small size,

CS 380. Head moderately long (CL/CW 1.137); with maximum CL and CW in visual plane, its posterior margin straight or very slightly concave and anterior clypeal margin slightly concave. Postocular distance rather large, PoOc/CL 0.440. Scape rather long, SL/CS 0.808. Eye relatively large, EYE/CS 0.242. Frons rather narrow with short and almost parallel frontal carinae, FRS/CS 0.299, FL/FR 1.017. Mesosoma slender; dorsal profile of promesonotum and propodeum slightly convex but with a notable metanotal depression. Anterior pronotum in dorsal view rounded, without pronounced corners. Propodeal spines short (SP/CS 0.185), in dorsal view slightly diverging, in lateral view nearly straight and their axis deviating 26–28° from longitudinal axis of mesosoma. Petiole wide and high (PeW/CS 0.319, PeH/CS 0.363), in lateral view with a short peduncle, a concave anterior margin, a weakly convex dorsum of node that more or less linearly slopes down to caudal cylinder; petiole in dorsal view with a semiglobular node which is slightly wider than long. Postpetiole moderately wide and very high (PpW/CS 0.470, PpH/CS 0.356), in dorsal view much wider than long and with a concave anterior and slightly convex posterior margin when these margins are adjusted to the same focal level; the sternite anterolaterally with a rounded lobiform protrusion on each side which clearly elevates above the level of median surface of sternite; the surface of the sternite thus appearing deeply concave in frontal view. Whole surface of dorsal head with circular foveolae that show a flat central tubercle, mean dFov 15.5 µm; the interspaces between foveolae on vertex smaller than foveolar diameter and delicately longitudinally striate (Fig. 22). Microsculpture on dorsum of mesosoma weaker than on vertex, microreticulate-corrugated and without foveolae; lateral mesosoma microreticulate. Petiole laterally finely microreticulate, dorsally more microcorrugated. Postpetiole finely microcorrugated and in overall appearance matt. Basal part of 1 st gaster tergite very finely microreticulate and appearing rather shiny at lower magnifications. Pubescence on 1st gaster tergite of medium length and rather dilute (PLG/CS 6.44 %, sqPDG 4.36]. Gaster jet black and all remaining body parts excluding the eyes very pale yellowish brown.

Taxonomic comments. As a combination of high and wide postpetiole, long scape and (probably) diagnostic coloration, C. allonivalis is not to confuse.

Biology. One nest was found by P.S. Ward in soil of a semi-dry littoral forest.