Pachycondyla pilidorsalis Yamane, 2007

Yamane, S., 2007, Pachycondyla nigrita and related species in Southeast Asia., Advances in ant systematics (Hymenoptera: Formicidae): Homage to E. O. Wilson - 50 years of contributions. (Memoirs of the American Entomological Institute 80), pp. 650-663 : 655-656

Pachycondyla pilidorsalis Yamane , sp. nov.

Figures 7, 9 - 11

Worker. Measurements (mm) holotype in parentheses: HW 0.96 - 0.98 (0.96); HL 1.00 - 1.05 (1.00); SL 1.07 - 1.09 (1.08); EL 0.19 - 0.20 (0.19); MSL 0.11 - 0.13 (0.11). SL / HL 1.03 - 1.08 (1.08);

Number of ommatidia along long axis of eye ca. 12.

Very similar to P. nigrita and P. batak . Mesopleuron usually with a transverse groove. Posterior faces of propodeum and petiole constantly punctate. Dorsum of mesosoma usually with more than ten standing hairs, some of which are longer than width of antennal segment 2. Gastral tergites 1 and 2 each with more than ten long standing hairs.

Queen. Similar to P. batak in body size and distinctly punctate metapleuron (in P. nigrita metapleuron almost smooth). Specimens from Malay Pen. tend to be larger than those from Borneo (HW: 0.83 - 0.91 vs. 1.04 - 1.06 mm). Mesosoma dorsally and gastral tergites with numerous long standing hairs.

TYPE MATERIAL

Holotype: worker, Ulu Gombak (ca. 250 m alt.), Selangor Prov., Malaysia., 5 vii 1999, F. Ito (FI 99 - 291). Paratypes: 10 w, 2 q, from the same colony as holotype. The holotype is deposited in the Entomological Collection at Forest Research Institute, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and paratypes in SKY Collection, Kagoshima University, Natural History Museum ( NHMK), London ( BMNH), Museum of Comparative Zoology, Harvard University (MCZC) and Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County ( LACM).

ADDITIONAL MATERIAL

MALAY PENINSULA. 2 w, Ulu Gombak, 24 - 29 x 1996, F. Ito; 10 w, Bunga Buah (ca. 1000 m alt.), nr Genting Highland, 6 vii 1999, Sk. Yamane. JAVA. 2 w, Cidaon, Ujung Kulon, 10 iii 1997, F. Ito. BORNEO. 5 w, Poring (550 - 700 m alt.), Sabah, 16 iii 1995, Sk. Yamane; 54 w, Poring (600 - 900 m alt.), Sabah, 1996 - 97, T. Kikuta; 3 w, 1 q, Sayap Kinabalu (ca. 1000 m alt.), 15 vii 1996, K. Eguchi (Eg 96 - BOR- 47); 6 w, same loc., 14 - 15 vii 1996, K. Eguchi & Sk. Yamane; 10 w, 3 q, G. Rara, Tawau, Sabah, 11 xii 1996, K. Eguchi (Eg 96 - BOR- 375); 11 w, 1 q, Tasek Merimbun, Brunei, 17 ii 1999, K. Eguchi (Eg 99 - BOR- 148).

ETYMOLOGY

The name refers to the presence of numerous standing hairs on the dorsum of the bodies of the queen and worker.

REMARKS

Diagnostic characteristics separating this species from two related species are given in the keys. Since the male has not been collected the status of this species is still inconclusive. This species nests in rotting wood in good forests.