Carebara laeviceps Liu & Zhong, 2024

Liu, Zhi-yu, Zhong, Ying, Huang, Yu-yuan, Ran, Hao & Song, Fan, 2024, A new ant species of the genus Carebara Westwood, 1840 (Hymenoptera, Formicidae, Myrmicinae) with a key to Chinese species, ZooKeys 1190, pp. 1-37 : 1

Carebara laeviceps Liu & Zhong sp. nov.

Figs 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31

Type material.

SWFU; Holotype. China: 1 major worker, Sichuan Province, Dazhou City, Kaijiang County, 31°12'24"N, 107°55'43"E, alt. 1100 m, 27.VI.2022, Gui-chuan Nie, SWFU A22-955. Paratypes. China: 3 major workers and 4 minor workers, same data as holotype, SWFU A22-955.

Description of major worker.

Measurements. Holotype major worker: HL 0.84, HW 0.63, EL 0.02, SL 0.38, WL 0.73, PNW 0.42, PNH 0.29, MNH 0.48, PDH 0.32, PTL 0.30, PTH 0.23, PTW 0.22, PPL 0.21, PPH 0.18, PPW 0.25, CI 75, SI 60, EI 3, LPpI 117, DPpI 119, PpWI 114, PpLI 70, PpHI 78, PPI 60. Paratype major workers (n = 3): HL 0.88 (0.85-0.90), HW 0.68 (0.66-0.70), EL 0.03 (0.02-0.05), SL 0.36 (0.35-0.36), WL 0.76 (0.75-0.78), PNW 0.43 (0.42-0.44), PNH 0.33 (0.31-0.35), MNH 0.44 (0.43-0.44), PDH 0.33 (0.30-0.35), PTL 0.30 (0.26-0.33), PTH 0.23 (0.22-0.23), PTW 0.20 (0.19-0.20), PPL 0.17 (0.14-0.19), PPH 0.18 (0.15-0.20), PPW 0.26 (0.25-0.27), CI 78 (77-78), SI 52 (51-55), EI 4.38 (3-7.14), LPpI 107 (94-127), DPpI 144 (131-153), PpWI 132 (130-135), PpLI 59 (57-61), PpHI 75 (65-83), PPI 60 (58-61). Head. Large, subrectangular with lateral margins straight and parallel in full-face view, distinctly longer than broad, ~ 1.3 × as long as wide; posterior margin slightly concave medially; posterolateral corner rounded and without horns in lateral view. Mandible triangular with five teeth on the masticatory margin. Clypeus steep and flat in lateral view; anterior margin of clypeus nearly straight with median portion indistinctly concave. Frontal lobes concealing condylar bulb. Ocelli absent. Eyes minute, located a little behind the anterior 1/3 length of head, ~ 0.3 mm from mandibular insertions to eyes. Antenna 10-segmented with a 2-segmented club; scape short, ~ 0.4 × as long as HL; apex of scape below mid-length of distance from antennal insertion to vertexal corner when scape is laid back. Dorsum of head flat in lateral view. Mesosoma. In lateral view, promesonotum slightly convex with moderately rounded dorsum; the sides of pronotum strongly convex and rounded in dorsal view; promesonotal suture indistinct. Metanotal groove deeply impressed. Anterodorsal corner of propodeum forms an acute tooth behind the metanotal groove in lateral view; propodeum lower than promesonotum with flat dorsum; the declivity and dorsum of propodeum forming an obtuse angle in lateral view; declivitous edge of propodeum with a pair of indistinct carinae; lateral margins of propodeum strongly convex in dorsal view. Waist. Petiole ~ 0.8 × as high as long with a long peduncle; petiolar node wider than long in dorsal view. In lateral view, the peduncle without angled tooth in anteroventral corner and the ventral margin of peduncle slightly convex; dorsum of petiole rounded in lateral view; anterior and posterior surfaces of petiolar node moderately convex. Postpetiolar node slightly lower than petiolar node, roundly convex. In dorsal view, postpetiole wider than petiole (PPW 0.25, PTW 0.22), both petiolar and postpetiolar nodes with convex lateral margins. Gaster. Long and oval. Sculpture and hairs. Mandibles, Median portion of clypeus and area from frons to posterior margin of head smooth and shiny, except genae and frontal lobes longitudinally striate. Posterior area of head without striations or carinae. Dorsum and lateral face of pronotum mostly smooth and shiny; anterior face of pronotal disc with fine reticular rugae. Mesonotum smooth; anepisternum and katepisternum strongly rugose-reticulate. In dorsal view, metanotal groove with several longitudinally parallel rugulae; propodeum mostly smooth in dorsal view; lateral face and declivity of propodeum weakly rugose-reticulate and with indistinct transverse rugulae in lateral view. Dorsum of petiolar node smooth; the lateral faces of node and peduncle rugose-reticulate; postpetiole weakly reticulate in dorsal view; ventral area of petiole and postpetiole strongly reticulate in lateral view. Gaster smooth and shiny. Head capsule covered with erect to subdecumbent hairs; while hairs on scapes and mandibles mostly decumbent. Dorsum of pronotum and mesonotum with abundant long erect hairs in lateral view; hairs on lateral face of mesosoma and dorsum of propodeum much sparser. Dorsum of petiole and postpetiole, and gaster with long erect to decumbent hairs; the ventral margin of petiole and postpetiole with no hairs in lateral view. Color. Head yellowish brown with clypeus and genae slightly darker; masticatory margin of mandible black. Mesosoma and petiole yellowish brown. Color of appendages and gaster paler.

Description of minor worker.

Measurements. Paratype minor workers (n = 4): HL 0.46 (0.44-0.48), HW 0.44 (0.42-0.46), EL 0.01, SL 0.31 (0.30-0.32), WL 0.52 (0.51-0.52), PNW 0.28 (0.27-0.29), PNH 0.20 (0.20-0.21), MNH 0.29 (0.27-0.31), PDH 0.21 (0.19-0.23), PTL 0.18 (0.17-0.19), PTH 0.15 (0.14-0.15), PTW 0.13 (0.12-0.13), PPL 0.12 (0.11-0.12), PPH 0.11 (0.10-0.11), PPW 0.16, CI 94 (88-98), SI 70 (65-74), EI 2, LPpI 110 (100-120), DPpI 139 (133-145), PpWI 128 (123-133), PpLI 64 (61-71), PpHI 73 (67-79), PPI 57 (55-59). Head. Much smaller (HL 0.44-0.48, HW 0.42-0.46) than the head of major worker. In full-face view head subquadrate with lateral margins convex, slightly longer than broad and narrowed both anteriorly and posteriorly, ~ 1.1 × as long as wide. Posterior margin of head slightly concave medially, posterolateral corners rounded in full-face view. Dorsum of head broadly convex in lateral view. Anterior margin of clypeus almost straight. Mandible triangular with five teeth on masticatory margin. Eyes minute, situated at the anterior 1/2 length of head, ~ 0.2 mm from mandibular insertions to eyes. Antenna 10-segmented with a 2-segmented club; scape 0.70 × as long as HW; apex of scape reaching 3/5 of the distance from antennal insertion to vertexal corner when scape is laid back. Dorsum of head broadly convex in lateral view. Mesosoma. Promesonotum with dorsal profile slightly arched in lateral view, nearly flat; suture indistinct. Metanotum absent; metanotal groove distinct and strongly impressed; In lateral view, propodeum spineless; the dorsal face of propodeum straight, forming an obtuse angle with the declivity of propodeum; declivity nearly straight, with median portion slightly concave; anterodorsal corner forming an acute tooth behind metanotal groove in lateral view. Waist. Petiole longer than high with long peduncle (PTL 0.18, PTH 0.15) in lateral view; ventral margin of petiole slightly convex; petiolar node broader than long with anterodorsal and posterodorsal faces convex in dorsal view. In lateral view, combined profile of anterior face of node and peduncle convex distinctly. Declivity of the posterior face of petiole slightly steeper than anterior face. Postpetiole with lower node than petiole, both dorsa of petiolar and postpetiolar nodes roundly convex. Gaster. Oval, relatively short. Sculpture and hairs. In full-face view, head capsule, clypeus, and mandibles mostly smooth; only gena and frontal lobe with indistinct longitudinal rugulae; sculpture on mesosoma same as major workers. Gaster smooth and shiny. Whole head with abundant erect to suberect hairs; hairs on frons slightly sparser; scapes and lateral margin of mandibles with dense decumbent hairs. Dorsal and lateral faces of promesonotum with long erect hairs and short suberect hairs; propodeum with very sparse hairs. Hairs on waist and gaster like major worker. Color. Whole body yellowish white.

Etymology.

The specific epithet laeviceps refers to the smooth and shiny head of the major workers.

Biology.

Little known, the type material was collected in the grassland of Hanlin Village, Kaijiang City. The species nests underground and feeds on small invertebrates. Some major workers exhibit a swollen gaster, serving as a storage organ for reserves during foraging.

Remarks.

Carebara laeviceps is most similar to C. lusciosa , C. bouvardi (Santschi, 1913) and C. rectangulata Bharti & Kumar, 2013, but can be easily distinguished from these three species by combination of the following features: antenna 10-segemented (9-segmented in C. lusciosa , C. bouvardi , and C. rectangulata ); posterior margin of head without a transverse carina in major worker (with a transverse carina in C. rectangulata ); lateral profile of head in major worker parallel in full face view (subparallel in C. lusciosa ); katepisternum finely rugose-reticulate in major worker (smooth in C. lusciosa , punctured in C. rectangulata ); ventral face of petiole moderately convex (straight in C. bouvardi and C. rectangulata ); distinctly larger with TL ~ 2.8 mm ( C. lusciosa : 2 mm, C. rectangulata : 2.41 mm, C. bouvardi : ~ 2.4 mm).

Taxonomic checklist of Carebara species in China

A checklist of all known Carebara species in China is presented here based on Xu (2003), Zhou et al. (2006), and Terayama et al. (2012). The changes in taxonomic status, diagnostic features and distribution data of each species are provided. The checklist is arranged alphabetically.

C. acutispina (Xu, 2003)

Oligomyrmex acutispinus Xu, 2003: 315, figs 16-19 (s.w.) China (Yunnan). Indomalaya.

Carebara acutispina (Xu, 2003). Combination in Carebara : Guénard and Dunn 2012: 41.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Sichuan, Yunnan).

References. Xu (2003); Fontanilla et al. (2019); He et al. (2020); Liu et al. (2020); Hosoishi et al. (2022).

C. affinis (Jerdon, 1851)

Oecodoma affinis Jerdon, 1851: 110 (s.w.) India. Indomalaya.

Pheidole affinis (Jerdon, 1851). Combination in Pheidole : Smith 1858: 174.

Pheidologeton affnis (Jerdon, 1851). Combination in Pheidologeton : Roger 1863: 30.

Carebara affinis (Jerdon, 1851). Combination in Carebara : Fischer et al. 2014: 71.

Geographic distribution. Widespread in Australasia and Indomalaya region: Bangladesh, Borneo, China (Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Xizang, Yunnan), India (type locality), Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nicobar Island, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Australia, Papua New Guinea.

References. Zhou and Zheng (1997); Zhou (2001); Lin and Wu (2003); Zhou et al. (2006); Terayama (2009); Guénard and Dunn (2012); Liu et al. (2020).

C. altinodus (Xu, 2003)

Oligomyrmex altinodus Xu, 2003: 312, figs 5-8 (s.w.) China (Yunnan). Indomalaya.

Carebara altinodus (Xu, 2003). Combination in Carebara : Guénard and Dunn 2012: 41.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Hainan, Jiangxi, Xizang, Yunnan).

References. Xu (2003); Chen et al. (2011); Guénard and Dunn (2012); Liu (2012); Song et al. (2013); Liu et al. (2016); Lu and Chen (2016); Liu et al. (2017); Fontanilla et al. (2019); He et al. (2020); Lee et al. (2020); Zhang et al. (2022).

C. amia (Forel, 1913)

Solenopsis amia Forel, 1913: 191 (q.) China (Taiwan). Indomalaya.

Aneleus amia (Forel, 1913). Combination in Aneleus : Emery 1923: 60.

Oligomyrmex amia (Forel, 1913). Combination in Oligomyrmex : Ettershank 1966: 123.

Carebara amia (Forel, 1913). Combination in Carebara : Fernández 2004: 235.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Taiwan).

References. Lin and Wu (2003); Terayama (2009).

Remarks. This species only with queen caste described and not similar to any known species.

C. bihornata (Xu, 2003)

Oligomyrmex bihornatus Xu, 2003: 317, figs 24-27 (s.w.) China (Yunnan). Indomalaya.

Carebara bihornata (Xu, 2003). Combination in Carebara : Guénard and Dunn 2012: 41.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Yunnan).

References. Xu (2003); Guénard and Dunn (2012); Liu et al. (2020).

C. capreola (Wheeler, 1927)

Oligomyrmex (Hendecatella) capreolus Wheeler, 1927: 93, fig. 5 (s.w.m.) Vietnam. Indomalaya.

Carebara capreola (Wheeler, 1927). Combination in Carebara : Fernández 2004: 235.

Geographic distribution. China (Guangdong, Macao), Vietnam (type locality).

References. Xu (2003); Guénard and Dunn (2012).

C. capreola laeviceps (Wheeler, 1928)

Oligomyrmex (Hendecatella) capreolus subsp. laeviceps Wheeler, 1928: 24 (s.) China (Macao).

Carebara capreola laeviceps (Wheeler, 1928). Combination in Carebara : Guénard and Dunn 2012: 41.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Guangdong, Macao).

References. Wheeler (1930); Guénard and Dunn (2012).

C. castanea Smith, 1858

Carebara castanea Smith, 1858: 178 (q.) China (Hong Kong). Indomalaya.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Hong Kong), Laos, Thailand.

References. Xu (1999); Guénard and Dunn (2012).

C. curvispina (Xu, 2003)

Oligomyrmex curvispinus Xu, 2003: 313, figs 9-12 (s.w.) China (Yunnan). Indomalaya.

Carebara curvispina (Xu, 2003). Combination in Carebara : Guénard and Dunn 2012: 41.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Yunnan).

References. Xu (2003); Guénard and Dunn (2012).

C. diversa (Jerdon, 1851)

Oecodoma diversa Jerdon, 1851: 109 (s.w.) India (Kerala). Indomalaya.

Pheidole diversa (Jerdon, 1851). Combination in Pheidole : Smith 1858: 174.

Pheidologeton diversa (Jerdon, 1851). Combination in Pheidologeton : Roger 1863: 30.

Carebara diversa (Jerdon, 1851). Combination in Carebara : Fischer et al. 2014: 71.

Geographic distribution. Widespread species, mainly in Indomalayan region: Bangladesh, Borneo, Cambodia, China (Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, Yunnan), Guinea, India (type locality), Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam.

References. Wu and Wang (1995); Zhou and Zheng (1997); Zhou (2001); Lin and Wu (2003); Zhou et al. (2006); Terayama (2009); Guénard and Dunn (2012).

C. diversa draco (Santschi, 1920)

Pheidologeton diversus st. draco Santschi, 1920: 163 (s.w.q.) Vietnam. Indomalaya.

Pheidologeton diversus draco Santschi, 1920. Subspecies of Pheidologeton diversus : Wheeler 1929: 44.

Carebara diversa draco (Santschi, 1920). Combination in Carebara : Fischer et al. 2014: 71.

Geographic distribution. China (Guangdong, Hainan), Vietnam (type locality).

References. Wheeler (1930); Zhou et al. (2006); Guénard and Dunn (2012).

C. diversa laotina (Santschi, 1920)

Pheidologeton diversus var. laotina Santschi, 1920: 162 (s.w.q.) Laos, Vietnam. Indomalaya.

Pheidologeton diversus laotina Santschi, 1920. Subspecies of Pheidologeton diversus : Wheeler 1930: 68.

Pheidologeton laotina (Santschi, 1920). Status as species: Ettershank 1966: 119 (error).

Carebara diversa laotina (Santschi, 1920). Combination in Carebara : Fischer et al. 2014: 71.

Geographic distribution. Cambodia, China (Fujian, Guangdong, Hongkong, Macao), Laos (type locality), Vietnam (type locality).

References. Wheeler (1930); Zhou et al. (2006); Huang and Zhou (2007); Guénard and Dunn (2012).

C. hunanensis (Wu & Wang, 1995)

Oligomyrmex hunanensis Wu & Wang, 1995: 75, figs 90, 93 (s.w.) China (Hunan). Indomalaya.

Carebara hunanensis (Wu & Wang, 1995). Combination in Carebara : Guénard and Dunn 2012: 41.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Hong Kong, Hunan).

References. Xu (2003); Guénard and Dunn (2012).

C. jiangxiensis (Wu & Wang, 1995)

Oligomyrmex jiangxiensis Wu & Wang, 1995: 75, 194, figs 91, 94 (s.w.) China (Jiangxi). Indomalaya.

Carebara jiangxiensis (Wu & Wang, 1995). Combination in Carebara : Guénard and Dunn 2012: 41.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Guangdong, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang).

References. Xu (2003); Zhao et al. (2009); Guénard and Dunn (2012); Staab et al. (2014); Huang et al. (2019); He et al. (2020).

C. latinoda (Zhou & Zheng, 1997)

Pheidologeton latinodus Zhou & Zheng, 1997: 165, figs 4-6 (s.w.) China (Guangxi). Indomalaya.

Carebara latinoda (Zhou & Zheng, 1997). Combination in Carebara : Fischer et al. 2014: 72.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Guangdong, Guangxi).

References. Zhou (2001); Zhou et al. (2006); Guénard and Dunn (2012).

C. lignata Westwood, 1840

Carebara lignata Westwood, 1840: 86, pl. 2, fig. 6 (q.) Indonesia (Java). Indomalaya.

Geographic distribution. Widespread in Indomalaya region: Bangladesh, China (Yunnan), India, Indonesia (type locality), Nepal.

References. Xu (1999); Guénard and Dunn (2012); Song et al. (2013); Lu et al. (2017).

C. lusciosa (Wheeler, 1928)

Oligomyrmex lusciosus Wheeler, 1928: 22 (s.w.) China (Guangdong). Indomalaya.

Carebara lusciosa (Wheeler, 1928). Combination in Carebara : Fernández 2004: 235.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Guangdong).

References. Xu (2003); Guénard and Dunn (2012).

C. melasolena (Zhou & Zheng, 1997)

Pheidologeton melasolenus Zhou & Zheng, 1997: 163, figs 1-3 (s.w.) China (Guangxi). Indomalaya.

Carebara melasolena (Zhou & Zheng, 1997). Combination in Carebara : Fischer et al. 2014: 72.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Chongqing, Guangxi, Hainan, Henan, Hong Kong, Hubei, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan, Zhejiang).

References. Zhou (2001); Zhang and Zheng (2002); Zhou et al. (2006); Huang and Zhou (2007); Guénard and Dunn (2012); Staab et al. (2014); Liu et al. (2015); Liu et al. (2020).

Remarks. The status of this species is somewhat ambiguous, In Zhou and Zheng (1997) and Zhou et al. (2006), this species can be distinguished from C. vespillo (Wheeler, 1921) by the following characteristics: the coarse black line present in the median longitudinal groove of the head; postpetiolar node distinctly broader than long; and hairs sparser on the head and body. However, in Chen et al. (2021), C. vespillo was recorded with the presence of the black line. Accordingly, some former specimens of C. vespillo may have been misidentified as C. melasolena due to the presence of the black line. In Zhou and Zheng (1997), the authors pointed the postpetiolar node of C. melasolena is 1.5 × broader than long, in Zhou et al. (2006) the node is 2 × broader than long, maybe this ratio is a also an unstable morphological trait.

Above all, the features and separation of these two species needs further examination of the type specimens, it is possible that C. melasolena is a synonym of C. vespillo , but here we still list Carebara melasolena as a valid species based on former studies.

C. nanningensis (Li & Tang, 1986)

Pheidologeton nanningensis Li & Tang, 1986: 162 (s.w.) China (Guangxi). Indomalaya.

Carebara nanningensis (Li & Tang, 1986). Combination in Carebara : Fischer et al. 2014: 72.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Guangxi).

References. Zhou and Zheng (1997); Zhou et al. (2006); Guénard and Dunn (2012).

C. obtusidenta (Xu, 2003)

Oligomyrmex obtusidentus Xu, 2003: 316, figs 20-23 (s.w.) China (Yunnan). Indomalaya.

Carebara obtusidenta (Xu, 2003). Combination in Carebara : Guénard and Dunn 2012: 41.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Hunan, Chongqing, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan), India.

References. Xu (2003); Huang (2005); Chen et al. (2011); Guénard and Dunn (2012); Liu (2012); Song et al. (2013); Fontanilla et al. (2019); Luo et al. (2019).

C. oni (Terayama, 1996)

Oligomyrmex oni Terayama, 1996: 20, figs 38-43 (s.w.) Japan. Palearctic.

Carebara oni (Terayama, 1996). Combination in Carebara : Terayama 2009: 151.

Geographic distribution. China (Taiwan), Japan (type locality).

References. Lin and Wu (2003); Terayama (2009); Guénard and Dunn (2012); Terayama et al. (2012).

C. pseudolusciosa (Wu & Wang, 1995)

Oligomyrmex pseudolusciosus Wu & Wang, 1995: 76, 195, figs 92, 95 (s.w.q.) China (Hubei, Anhui). Indomalaya.

Carebara pseudolusciosa (Wu & Wang, 1995). Combination in Carebara : Guénard and Dunn 2012: 41.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Anhui, Guangxi, Henan, Hubei).

References. Xu (2003); Guo (2006); Guénard and Dunn (2012); Lu (2013); Guo et al. (2015).

C. polyphemus (Wheeler, 1928)

Oligomyrmex polyphemus Wheeler, 1928: 21 (s.) China (Guangdong). Indomalaya.

Carebara polyphemus (Wheeler, 1928). Combination in Carebara : Fernández 2004: 235.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Guangdong, Yunnan).

References. Xu (2003); Zhao et al. (2009); Guénard and Dunn (2012).

C. qianliyan Terayama, 2009

Carebara qianliyan Terayama, 2009: 152, figs 230, 231 (s.w.) China (Taiwan). Indomalaya.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Taiwan).

References. Terayama (2009); Guénard and Dunn (2012); Terayama et al. (2012).

C. rectidorsa (Xu, 2003)

Oligomyrmex rectidorsus Xu, 2003: 319, figs 32-35 (s.w.) China (Yunnan). Palearctic.

Carebara rectidorsa (Xu, 2003). Combination in Carebara : Guénard and Dunn 2012: 41.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Chongqing, Hainan, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan), India.

References. Xu (2003); Huang (2005); Guo (2006); Guénard and Dunn (2012); Guo et al. (2015); Fontanilla et al. (2019); Huang et al. (2019); Luo et al. (2019); He et al. (2020); Lee et al. (2020).

C. reticapita (Xu, 2003)

Oligomyrmex reticapitus Xu, 2003: 319, figs 38-41 (s.w.) China (Yunnan). Palearctic.

Carebara reticapita (Xu, 2003). Combination in Carebara : Guénard and Dunn 2012: 41.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Guangxi, Hainan, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan).

References. Xu (2003); Chen et al. (2011); Guénard and Dunn (2012); Liu (2012); Chen et al. (2013); Song et al. (2013); Cheng et al. (2015); Liu et al. (2016); Liu et al. (2017); Fontanilla et al. (2019); He et al. (2020); Lee et al. (2020).

C. sakamotoi Terayama et al., 2012

Carebara sakamotoi Terayama et al., 2012: 2, figs 4-7 (s.w.) China (Taiwan). Indomalaya.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Taiwan).

References. Terayama et al. (2012).

C. sauteri (Forel, 1912)

Oligomyrmex sauteri Forel, 1912: 56 (s.) China (Taiwan, Zhejiang). Indomalaya.

Carebara sauteri (Forel, 1912). Combination in Carebara : Fernández 2004: 235.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Taiwan, Zhejiang), Japan.

References. Lin and Wu (2003); Xu (2003); Terayama (2009); Guénard and Dunn (2012); Terayama et al. (2012).

Remarks. In Wu and Wang’s (1992) study, C. hunanensis was mistakenly identified as C. sauteri but was later corrected by Terayama ( Wu and Wang 1995).

C. striata (Xu, 2003)

Oligomyrmex striatus Xu, 2003: 314, figs 13-15 (s.) China (Yunnan). Palearctic.

Carebara striata (Xu, 2003). Combination in Carebara : Fernández 2010: 202.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Sichuan, Yunnan).

References. Xu (2003); Guénard and Dunn (2012); He et al. (2020).

C. taiponica (Wheeler, 1928)

Oligomyrmex silvestrii subsp. taiponicus Wheeler, 1928: 24 (s.) China (Hong Kong). Palearctic.

Oligomyrmex taiponicus Wheeler, 1928. Status as species: Bolton 1995: 300.

Carebara taiponica (Wheeler, 1928). Combination in Carebara : Fernández 2004: 235.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Hong Kong, Yunnan), Laos.

References. Xu (2003); Guénard and Dunn (2012).

C. trechideros (Zhou & Zheng, 1997)

Pheidologeton trechideros Zhou & Zheng, 1997: 167, figs 7-9 (s.w.) China (Guangxi). Indomalaya.

Carebara trechideros (Zhou & Zheng, 1997). Combination in Carebara : Fischer et al. 2014: 72.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, Jiangxi, Sichuan, Yunnan), Thailand, Vietnam.

References. Zhou (2001); Zhou et al. (2006); Huang and Zhou (2007); Li et al. (2009); Zhao et al. 2009); Chen et al. (2012); Guénard and Dunn (2012); Song et al. (2013); Zhang et al. (2014); Fontanilla et al. (2019); Huang et al. (2019); Luo et al (2019).

C. vespillo (Wheeler, 1921)

Pheidologeton vespillo Wheeler, 1921: 533 (s.w.) China (Zhejiang). Indomalaya.

Carebara vespillo (Wheeler, 1921). Combination in Carebara : Fischer et al. 2014: 72.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Guangxi, Henan, Hong Kong, Hunan, Jiangxi, Shandong, Zhejiang), Vietnam.

References. Wu and Wang (1992); Bolton (1995); Wu and Wang (1995); Zhou et al. (2006); Guénard and Dunn (2012); Lu (2013); Zhang et al. (2014); Cheng et al. (2015); Guo et al. (2015).

C. wheeleri (Ettershank, 1966)

Oligomyrmex wheeleri Ettershank, 1966: 124. Replacement name for Oligomyrmex silvestrii Wheeler, 1928: 23 (s.w.) China (Hong Kong). Palearctic.

Carebara wheeleri (Ettershank, 1966). Combination in Carebara : Fernández 2004: 235.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality Hong Kong, Yunnan).

References. Xu (2003); Guénard and Dunn (2012); Huang et al. (2019).

C. yamatonis (Terayama, 1996)

Oligomyrmex yamatonis Terayama, 1996: 23, figs 48-51 (s.w.) Japan. Palearctic.

Carebara yamatonis (Terayama, 1996). Combination in Carebara : Terayama 2009: 151.

Geographic distribution. China (Hubei, Hunan), Japan (type locality).

References. Lin and Wu (2003); Huang (2005); Guénard and Dunn (2012).

C. yanoi (Forel, 1912)

Pheidologeton yanoi Forel, 1912: 57 (w.q.) China (Taiwan). Indomalaya.

Carebara yanoi (Forel, 1912). Combination in Carebara : Fischer et al. 2014: 72.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Taiwan).

References. Wheeler (1929); Lin and Wu (2003); Zhou et al. (2006); Terayama (2009).

C. zengchengensis ( Zhou et al., 2006)

Pheidologeton zengchengensis Zhou et al., 2006: 871, figs 1, 2 (s.w.) China (Guangdong). Indomalaya.

Carebara zengchengensis ( Zhou et al., 2006). Combination in Carebara : Fischer et al. 2014: 72.

Geographic distribution. China (type locality. Fujian, Guangdong, Macao).

References. Zhou et al. (2006); Zhang and Hou (2009); Zhao et al. (2009).

Figures

Figure 26. Carebara laeviceps Liu & Zhong, sp. nov. Holotype (major worker) A body in lateral view B body in dorsal view C head in full-face view.

Figure 27. Carebara laeviceps Liu & Zhong, sp. nov. Major worker under SEM (not holotype) A head in lateral view B head in full-face view.

Figure 28. Carebara laeviceps Liu & Zhong, sp. nov. Major worker under SEM (not holotype) A mesosoma in lateral view B petiole in lateral view C postpetiole in lateral view.

Figure 29. Carebara laeviceps Liu & Zhong, sp. nov. Paratype minor worker A body in lateral view B body in dorsal view C head in full-face view.

Figure 30. Carebara laeviceps Liu & Zhong, sp. nov. Minor worker under SEM. head in full-face view.

Figure 31. Carebara laeviceps Liu & Zhong, sp. nov. Minor worker under SEM A body in lateral view B petiole in lateral view C postpetiole in lateral view.