identifier	taxonID	type	CVterm	format	language	title	description	additionalInformationURL	UsageTerms	rights	Owner	contributor	creator	bibliographicCitation
2C74010FA026145DFDD0E570FAE62FF1.text	2C74010FA026145DFDD0E570FAE62FF1.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus Shuckard 1840	<div><p>Genus Aenictus Shuckard, 1840</p> <p>Aenictus SHUCKARD, 1840: 266.</p> <p>Type-species: Aenictus ambiguus, by original designation.</p> <p>Enictus WALKER, 1860: 306; SMITH, 1865: 79; incorrect subsequent spellings of Aenictus: BOLTON, 1995: 19. [unavailable name].</p> <p>Paraenictus WHEELER, 1929: 27 [as subgenus of Aenictus]. Type-species: Aenictus (Paraenictus) silvestrii, by monotypy. [Junior synonym of Aenictus: WILSON, 1964: 444].</p> <p>Typhlatta SMITH, 1857: 79. Type-species: Typhlatta laeviceps, by monotypy. [Junior synonym of Aenictus: FOREL, 1890: ciii.; revived from synonymy as subgenus of Aenictus: WHEELER, 1930: 198; junior synonym of Aenictus: WILSON, 1964: 444].</p> <p>An excellent account on morphology, phylogeny, taxonomy and biology of the genus is given in BOROWIEC (2016), including a detailed description for worker and male castes. FISHER &amp; BOLTON (2016) also diagnoses the worker caste for the Afrotropical species. The following notes complement these two main sources and apply solely to the worker caste of the Afrotropical species.</p> <p>Most species are monomorphic, with some having a wide range of sizes (e.g. CSR up to 144 for A. eugenii) but without marked allometric morphological differences among the maxima and minima workers other than size, colour or sculpturation. However, some species in the rotundatus group represent the extreme of this variation with noticeable allometry in some indexes (e.g. A. hitai sp. nov. 0.28&lt;HW&lt;0.60, CSR 178, 74&lt;CI&lt;100) which led EMERY (1895) to comment about A. mariae “it is hardly correct to say that workers of this species are monomorphic”. As a rule of thumb, minima workers present smaller SIL and CI than maxima workers, meaning that they have more elongated heads with relatively shorter scapes.</p> <p>Some Asian Aenictus species possess clearer cuticular patches laterally at the upper half of the head (“ Typhlatta spot”), but this character is always absent in the Afrotropical species described to date. In the Afrotropical species antennae are 10 segmented, with subcylindrical scapes, bent outwards in frontal view and widening in its apical half to almost twice its width, usually the basal third narrow and the rest widening to the apex. Its length range from short to medium (30&lt;SIL&lt;100) not reaching the occipital margin and never as long as in some Asian species groups where scapes reach and even surpass the occipital margin (A. hottai, A. inflatus, A. laeviceps, A. pachycerus, A. wroughtonii (part) groups) (JAITRONG &amp; YAMANE, 2011).</p> <p>Mandible shape is remarkably diverse among the Afrotropical species and relatively stable within species groups. As a consequence, mandible shape is the main character used to define such groups. Most species display linear or triangular shapes, but may have highly specialized morphology (as in the decolor or popeyei groups which are not present in any other Aenictus group worldwide). Mandibular dentition is also variable and linked to the mandibular shape. In triangular mandibles it consists of a long apical tooth followed or not by a preapical, and up to 8–12 smaller denticles, but in the rixator group with 3–4 defined teeth, in the asantei group just an apical tooth and in the decolor and popeyei groups apical and preapical tooth. No Afrotropical species has a row of basal teeth or denticles as seen in the Asian minutulus (formerly piercei) group (JAITRONG &amp; HASHIMOTO, 2012) nor a large basal tooth as in the Asian javanus group (JAITRONG &amp; YAMANE, 2012). Sometimes a sharp, differentiated edge can be present basally (e.g. A. popeyei), but in most species the basal mandibular margin is flat and undifferentiated.</p> <p>Usually pro- and mesonotum are convex and the propodeum almost flat, both meeting at an angle, except for some minute species with almost flat mesosoma in lateral view (e.g. rixator species group or minima workers in rotundatus species group). Mesonotum-mesopleuron ridge is always absent (present in the Asian philippinensis group) (JAITRONG &amp; YAMANE, 2012).</p> <p>Petiole is always sessile or weakly subsessile. Subpetiolar process is always present, highly specific and interspecifically variable, with a long range of shapes and sizes and presenting or not a flat lamella. Petiolar carinae are usually present and developed: anterolateral and anterodorsal carinae are often present, while dorsolateral carinae, when present, are weak and not surpassing the petiolar spiracle (except for the heavily sculptured A. susanae). A few heavily sculptured species may present petiolar posterolateral and/or posterodorsal carinae.</p> <p>Femora and tibiae with their distal halves swollen (maximum width/minimum width~3–4 typically), except for the koloi species group, in which femora and tibiae have cylindrical shapes.</p> <p>Setae are always present, usually unequal, with very long and shorter setae, from semierect to erect in the whole body. A few species may have reclined and similar in length setae (e.g. A. mvuvii, A. jacki). Funiculus is always coated with short, dense pubescence and semierect short setae, slightly longer than funiculus width. Pubescence is absent in the rest of the body, except for A. steindachneri Mayr, 1901, which presents short, dense pubescence on lateropropodeum and petiolar sides.</p> <p>SPECIES GROUPS: AFROTROPICAL VS. PALAEARCTIC, ASIAN AND AUSTRALASIAN FAUNA</p> <p>West Palaearctic</p> <p>The Western Palaearctic Aenictus fauna lacks a global taxonomic revision and comprises four species: A. arabicus Sharaf &amp; Aldawood, 2012; A. dlusskyi Arnol’di, 1968; A. rhodiensis Menozzi, 1936 and A. vaucheri Emery, 1915.</p> <p>JAITRONG &amp; RUANGSITTICHAI (2018) have modified the initial definition of the wroughtonii group given in JAITRONG &amp; YAMANE (2011) to include species with short scapes and listing A. arabicus and A. rhodiensis into that group.</p> <p>Asia, Indomalaya and Australasia</p> <p>WILSON (1964) defined five species groups for the Indo-Australian area based on morphological characters. These groups were modified and refined for the Eastern Oriental, Indo-Australian and Australasian regions (JAITRONG &amp; YAMANE, 2011; JAITRONG &amp; HASHIMOTO, 2012; JAITRONG &amp; RUANGSITTICHAI, 2018). The current definition includes twelve groups and comprises the whole distribution range for the genus excluding the four Palaearctic species and the Afrotropical region.</p> <p>Twelve Afrotropical species were included in WILSON (1964), and though these species were not included in the final groups, a brief statement was given on the African fauna:</p> <p>“On examining the numerical data on African Aenictus […], it can be seen that the following form a closely knit group: asperivalvus, mariae, mentu, rotundatus, steindachneri and weissi. These, in turn are allied to the ceylonicus group of species in Asia, especially peguensis of Burma” [WILSON, 1964: 436].</p> <p>The inclusion of asperivalvus in the analysis must be considered as an error, as it’s only known from males. GOTWALD &amp; BARR (1988) follow Wilson’s definition and include all the Afrotropical species studied into this group. Further redefinition of the group (JAITRONG &amp; YAMANE, 2011) leave aside almost all of the Afrotropical species. Also note that all the mentioned species but mentu are included in this revision under the rotundatus species group.</p> <p>Lacking molecular and/or genetic evidence, the morphological information suggests that the relation of Afrotropical and Asian groups appears to be weak. This is suggested from the following characters:</p> <p>• the absence of the “ Typhlatta spot” in any Afrotropical species excludes the currax, inflatus, laeviceps and leptotyphlatta groups;</p> <p>• scapes relatively short-medium sized (usually SIL&lt;85) and never reaching posterolateral corner of head excludes hottai and pachycerus groups. This is true except for the Afrotropical group decolor with relatively long scapes (SIL 85-100), but their characteristic mandibular morphology is not found in any Asian species;</p> <p>• 10 segmented antennae excludes silvestrii group;</p> <p>• absence of a conspicuous row of denticles at the basal margin of mandibles excludes minutulus (formerly piercei) group (JAITRONG &amp; HASHIMOTO, 2012);</p> <p>• the absence of a mesonotum-mesopleuron ridge excludes the philippinensis group;</p> <p>• the lack of a masticatory margin with a large basal tooth excludes javanus group.</p> <p>The remaining two groups (ceylonicus and wroughtonii) deserve a more detailed analysis.</p> <p>The ceylonicus group comprises the species, among other characteristics “with mandibles closed, a gap present between mandibles and anterior margin of clypeus; anterior clypeal margin weakly concave or almost straight, lacking denticles” (JAITRONG &amp; YAMANE, 2010, see also LIU et al., 2015). Two Afrotropical species have linear mandibles that do not close against the clypeus (A. eugenii and A. mvuvii) but both species present two small clypeal denticles between (eugenii) or just below (mvuvii) the antennal insertions.</p> <p>The wroughtonii group (clypeus with a row of triangular teeth and poorly developed subpetiolar process) has been recently redefined (JAITRONG &amp; RUANGSITTICHAI, 2018) to include the species with short scapes. Under this new definition, several Afrotropical species could belong to this group except for the fact that very similar species may or may not present or not developed subpetiolar processes, even in series from the same nest in some species.</p> <p>The above data strongly suggests that the similarities of the Afrotropical groups with their Asian counterparts is more of convergent nature, and there is substantial morphological differentiation between the groups in both biogeographical regions. Therefore, instead of expanding the definitions of ceylonicus and wroughtonii groups, and along with the other clearly differentiated Afrotropical five groups, I prefer to define the new eugenii and rotundatus groups for the Afrotropical species until genetic or molecular studies are available and the real affinities can be properly established.</p> <p>Despite this decision, these two pairs of species groups seem to be the best candidates for a link between Asian and Afrotropical faunas.</p> <p>AFROTROPICAL SPECIES GROUPS: DEFINITION AND IDENTIFICATION TIPS</p> <p>Unfortunately, genetic data for the reviewed species were not available for this study and building a phylogeny to define species groups based on it was not possible. From this point of view, the species groups defined in this paper should be considered as informal and preliminary, waiting for complementary studies.</p> <p>This revision proposes organizing the Afrotropical species in seven groups, is based mainly on mandibular and clypeal shape. These two characters alone seem to be good enough to separate the species groups in a robust manner. The A. koloi group is defined based on its cylindrical legs and sculptured heads (which are swollen and glassy smooth respectively in the other groups). The rotundatus group is also separated into two species complexes based on SIL index.</p> <p>Besides the cited clypeal and mandibular shape, the most helpful characters to differentiate species are subpetiolar process, propodeal shape, scape length relative to head length (SIL), sculpture and setation. When mounting specimens it is important to lift the abdomen upwards and push the third pair of legs forward, so that the subpetiolar process is visible.</p> <p>SYNOPSIS OF AFROTROPICAL SPECIES</p> <p>Only species with described worker caste. [Q] ‘Queen also described’</p> <p>asantei group</p> <p>asantei Campione, Novak &amp; Gotwald, 1983 [Q]</p> <p>decolor group</p> <p>bidentatus Donisthorpe, 1942 stat. rev.</p> <p>decolor (Mayr, 1879) [Q]</p> <p>= batesi Forel, 1911</p> <p>villiersi Bernard, 1953</p> <p>eugenii group</p> <p>eugenii Emery, 1895 [Q]</p> <p>=brazzai Santschi, 1910 syn. nov.</p> <p>= eugenii caroli Forel, 1910 syn. nov.</p> <p>= eugeniae v. kenyensis Santschi, 1933</p> <p>= eugenii henrii Santschi, 1924 syn. nov.</p> <p>mvuvii sp. nov.</p> <p>koloi group</p> <p>koloi sp. nov.</p> <p>susanae sp. nov.</p> <p>xegi sp. nov.</p> <p>popeyei group</p> <p>popeyei sp. nov.</p> <p>rixator group</p> <p>mentu Weber, 1942</p> <p>rixator Emery, 1901</p> <p>rotundatus group</p> <p>mariae species complex</p> <p>boltoni sp. nov.</p> <p>hitai sp. nov.</p> <p>mariae Emery, 1895</p> <p>= mariae natalensis Emery, 1901 syn. nov.</p> <p>steindachneri Mayr, 1901</p> <p>rotundatus species complex</p> <p>congolensis Santschi, 1911 [Q]</p> <p>guineensis Santschi, 1924</p> <p>jacki sp. nov.</p> <p>nyuyi sp. nov.</p> <p>rotundatus Mayr, 1901</p> <p>=furibundus Arnold, 1959 syn. nov.</p> <p>= rotundatus merwei Santschi, 1932 syn. nov.</p> <p>ugaduwensis sp. nov.</p> <p>weissi Santschi, 1910 [Q cited, not described]</p> <p>KEY TO SPECIES (WORKERS)</p> <p>1 Head glassy smooth (Fig. 2 A); femora with their distal halves expanded (Fig. 2 C) (Maximum width / minimum width ~ 3–4).............................................................................. 2</p> <p>- Head alutaceus to heavily reticulated, matt (Fig. 2 B); femora subcylindrical (Fig. 2 D) (Maximum width / minimum width &lt;2)........................................................... 7 (koloi group)</p> <p>2 (1) Mandibles either linear or triangular, never with either a large blunt, rounded basal tooth nor with its basal half expanded and semi-spherical (Fig. 1 A, C, D, G, H)............................ 3</p> <p>- Mandibles massive, neither linear nor triangular, either with a large, blunt, rounded basal tooth separated from the rest by a depression (mitten-shaped) or with its basal half expanded and semi-spherical (Fig. 1 E, F)...................................................................................................... 6</p> <p>3 (2) Mandibles linear, leaving a gap between themselves and the clypeus when closed. Clypeus reduced to two triangular minute teeth between or beneath the antennal sockets (Fig. 1 C, D)........................................................................................................................ 11 (eugenii group)</p> <p>- Mandibles linear to triangular with no gap between themselves and the clypeus when mandibles closed. Clypeus usually with a row of minute triangular denticles, and never reduced to two triangular minute teeth between or beneath the antennal sockets (Fig. 1 A, G, H)............................................................................................................................................................ 4</p> <p>4(3) Mandibles very long, crossing over at the mid-length when closed, each mandibular apex clearly reaching the opposite antennal insertion; apical tooth massive, usually without preapical tooth or denticles (Fig. 1 G)............................................. (asantei group), one species, asantei</p> <p>- Mandibles linear to triangular, neither crossing over at the mid-length nor with each mandibular apex; preapical tooth and/or denticles may be present (Fig. 1 A, H).................... 5</p> <p>5 Mandibles linear, with three or four defined teeth. Clypeus reduced to a thin line, virtually not visible in frontal view (Fig. 1 H)............................................................. 12 (rixator group)</p> <p>- Mandibles triangular, always with more than 4 teeth or denticles in total. Dentition variable, usually with one apical tooth followed by a preapical tooth and/or a series of smaller denticles, but some species with an apical tooth followed by smaller well defined triangular teeth. Clypeus present as a narrow lamella or a row of triangular denticles, sometimes small and difficult to see when mandibles closed (Fig. 1 A).................................................... 13 (rotundatus group)</p> <p>6 (2) Mandibles with basal half expanded and semi-spherical, surrounded by a thin cutting edge (Fig. 1 E)........................................................... popeyei group (one species, popeyei sp. nov.)</p> <p>- Mandibles with a conspicuous, blunt, large proximal tooth clearly separated from the rest of the mandible, mitten shaped (Fig. 1 F)........................................................... 9 (decolor group)</p> <p>KEY FOR koloi GROUP</p> <p>7 (5) Numerous long, white, semierect to erect setae present on scapes, dorsum of mesosoma, petiole, postpetiole and femora. Petiole with clearly more than 10 setae (Fig. 22 C).......................................................................................................................................... susanae sp. nov.</p> <p>- Scattered white, erect setae present on scapes, dorsum of mesosoma, petiole, postpetiole and femora. Petiole with 4 to 8 setae.............................................................................................. 8</p> <p>8 (7) Subpetiolar process small, size similar to the prora, shaped as a quarter of ellipse with the vertical face facing forward, followed by an almost horizontal ovoid lamella (Fig. 20 C); smaller size (HW&lt;0.60)...................................................................................... koloi sp. nov.</p> <p>- Subpetiolar process very developed, subrectangular and followed by a rectangular lamella usually inclined 45 degrees forward, the whole process clearly larger than the prora (Fig. 24 C); larger size (HW&gt;0.65)........................................................................................... xegi sp. nov.</p> <p>KEY FOR decolor GROUP</p> <p>9 (8) Scapes relatively shorter, slightly surpassing three quarters of head length when laid back (SIL&lt;80), smaller size (HL&lt;0.70, WL&lt;1.15)........................................................... bidentatus</p> <p>- Scapes relatively longer, distinctly surpassing three quarters of head length when laid back (SIL&gt;80), larger size (HL&gt;0.70, WL&gt;1.15)........................................................................... 10</p> <p>10 (9) Scapes reaching three quarters of the head length when laid back (80&lt;SIL&lt;95). Subpetiolar process subrectangular, volume slightly smaller than petiolar dome and of similar shape, displaced forward (Fig. 7 C)............................................................................... decolor</p> <p>- Scapes almost reaching the occipital border when laid back (SIL&gt;95). Subpetiolar process small and shaped as a quarter of ellipse, with its vertical line anteriorly located (Fig. 9 C)................................................................................................................................................ villiersi</p> <p>KEY FOR eugenii GROUP</p> <p>11 (3) Scapes with dense, reclined setae that are shorter than scape width, without erect to semierect setae that are much longer than maximum scape width (Fig. 18 A); mesosoma covered with subequal reclined short setae, shorter than petiole height (Fig. 18 C). Size clearly smaller (0.47&lt;HW&lt;0.63).................................................................................. mvuvii sp. nov.</p> <p>- Scapes with erect to semierect setae that are much longer than maximum scape width (Fig. 11 A); mesosoma covered with erect to semierect long setae, unequal in size, the longest clearly longer than petiole height (Fig. 11 C). Size larger (0.63&lt;HW&lt;0.94)................ eugenii</p> <p>12 (5) Ridge separating dorso and posteropropodeum present and clearly visible projecting from the dorsal propodeal surface (Fig. 30 C). Mandibles with three teeth similar in size..... rixator</p> <p>- Ridge separating dorso and posteropropodeum absent, so dorso and posteroprodeum form a smooth continuous surface (Fig. 28 C). Mandibles with an apical tooth followed by three smaller denticles............................................................................................................... mentu</p> <p>KEY FOR rotundatus GROUP</p> <p>NOTE: A. rotundatus minima workers with HW&lt;0.46 present SIL = 60, with one single worker presenting a SIL of 59 for HW=0.39. Larger workers always present SIL&gt;62. The minima workers can only be confused with some samples of A. boltoni sp. nov.</p> <p>13 (5) Scapes relatively very short (SIL&lt;58). If 58 &lt;SIL&lt;62, then setae on the mesosoma semierect to erect, unequal and long mixed with shorter reclinated setae (Fig. 57 C)...................................... 14 (mariae species complex, minima workers of A. rotundatus with HW&lt;0.46)</p> <p>- Scapes relatively longer (SIL ≥ 60, usually&gt;62). If 58&lt;SIL&lt;62, then setae on the mesosoma reclinated and similar in length (Fig. 52 C).......................... 18 (rotundatus species complex)</p> <p>KEY FOR mariae SPECIES COMPLEX</p> <p>14 (13) SIL 58–60....................................................................................................................... rotundatus (part, exceptionally small minima workers with HW&lt;0.46. Larger HW always SIL&gt;62)</p> <p>- SIL &lt;58, usually SIL &lt;56..................................................................................................... 15</p> <p>15 (14) Lateral surfaces of mesonotum, propodeum, petiole and postpetiole covered with a white, short, dense pubescence, much shorter than setae on dorsal surfaces (best viewed in dorsal view) (Fig. 39 D)....................................................................................... steindachneri</p> <p>- Lateral surfaces of mesonotum, propodeum, petiole and postpetiole bare, setation restricted to some occasional isolated setae (Fig. 54 D)............................................................................ 16</p> <p>16 (15) Dorsopropodeum densely sculptured, punctated-reticulated even in the minima workers as a faint reticulum (Fig. 35 D, Fig. 34 D). Dorsopronotum with very dense pilosity, covered with more than 20 white short reclinated setae, without bare zones where cuticle is clearly seen (Fig. 35 C, Fig. 35 C)............................................................................................ hitai sp. nov.</p> <p>- Dorsopropodeum smooth, although some kind of shagreened sculpturation may be present laterally (Fig. 32 D, Fig. 37 D). Dorsopronotum with very sparse pilosity, clearly with less than 20 white short setae, extensive zones bare where cuticle is clearly seen (Fig. 32C, Fig. 37C)................................................................................................................................................... 17</p> <p>17 (16) Metanotal groove demarcated, slightly indented in profile and dorsal views; postpetiole with clearly defined anterior and posterior vertical faces, subrectangular with rounded angles and relatively higher (PPI: 113 [107–127]) (Fig. 32 C, D). Western Africa.... boltoni sp. nov.</p> <p>- Metanotal groove not demarcated, mesopropodeal profile almost a straight line; postpetiole hemispherical, without anterior and posterior vertical faces and relatively lower (PPI: 138 [130- 150]). Southern Africa (Fig. 37 C, D)............................................................................. mariae</p> <p>KEY FOR rotundatus SPECIES COMPLEX</p> <p>18 (13) Setae adpressed everywhere (Fig. 41 A, C). Clypeus with a row of very conspicuous long, conical teeth, much longer than wide, the two central smaller than the rest (Fig. 41). Subpetiolar process subrectangular, clearly lower than long, oriented 45° forward, mostly digit shaped (Fig. 41 C)................................................................................................... congolensis</p> <p>- Setae from semierect to erect everywhere (Fig. 44 A, C). Clypeus with a row of triangular teeth, about as long as wide (Fig. 44 E). Subpetiolar process never digitiform and elongated, but ellipsoidal, followed or not by a lamella.......................................................................... 19</p> <p>19 (18) Scapes very long (SIL&gt;80). Meatanotal groove in profile wide, rounded, U-shaped (Fig. 54 C)........................................................................................................... nyuyi sp. nov.</p> <p>- Scapes short (SIL&lt;75). Metanotal groove in profile not conspicuous, V-shaped as the mesonotum meets the propodeum at an angle (Fig. 59 A)..................................................... 20</p> <p>20 (19) Setae on dorsal surface of mesosoma reclined, very abundant and with similar length [Fig. 32C, Fig. 37C]; lateral surfaces of head covered with clearly more than 20 small, adpressed setae, the size of each about equal to the maximum scape width (Fig. 32 A, Fig. 37 A)............................................................................................................................... jacki sp. nov.</p> <p>- Setae on dorsal surface of mesosoma erect to semierect and scattered, unequal, with some setae clearly longer than petiole height (Fig. 59 C); lateral surfaces of head almost bare, with clearly less than 20 long setae, the size of each clearly longer than the maximum scape width (Fig. 59 A).............................................................................................................................. 21</p> <p>21 Head subquadrate (CI&gt;95) (Fig. 59 A) with stouter mesosoma (WL/PRW&lt;250) (Fig. 59 C, D)........................................................................................................ ugaduwensis sp. nov.</p> <p>- Head more elongated (CI&lt;93) (Fig. 61 A) with more slender mesosoma (WL/PRW&gt;270) (Fig. 61 C, D)......................................................................................................................... 22</p> <p>22 Dorso and posteropropodeum separated by a developed, horizontal ridge clearly visible in lateral view, so there is not a smooth transition into each other (Fig. 61 C); in dorsal view this ridge projecting itself as a horizontal shelf, not reduced to a single line (Fig. 61 D). Subpetiolar process elongated and without lamellae, usually a quarter ellipse with its vertical side anteriorly, overall size clearly smaller than petiolar node (Fig. 61 C)............................................... weissi</p> <p>- Dorso and posteropropodeum not separated by a horizontal ridge, so having a continuous smooth transition into each other (Fig. 44 C); if a continuous ridge is present laterally and dorsally, it’s weak and in dorsal view only a faint line, not projecting itself as a horizontal shelf (Fig. 44 D). Subpetiolar process rounded and usually with a triangular to ellipsoidal lamella................................................................................................................................................... 22</p> <p>22 (21). PL/PH&gt;1.35. If 1.25&lt;PL/PH&lt;1.35 then 26.225*PH/PL+8.680WL/SL-40.524&lt;0. West Africa......................................................................................................................... guineensis</p> <p>- PL/PH&lt;1.25. If 1.25&lt;PL/PH&lt;1.35 then 26.225*PH/PL+8.680WL/SL-40.524&gt;0. East and Southern Africa........................................................................................................ rotundatus</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA026145DFDD0E570FAE62FF1	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA02C1442FD18E46FFDEC280F.text	2C74010FA02C1442FD18E46FFDEC280F.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus Campione, Novak & Gotwald 1983	<div><p>asantei species group</p> <p>The only species in this group has very long mandibles closing against the clypeus without leaving a gap; the mandible edges do not close at the symmetry axis, but cross one over the other at half its length so each mandibular tip reaches clearly the opposite antennal insertion.</p> <p>Clypeus linear formed by a row of 10–12 conical teeth. Femora and tibiae with its apical half swollen. One species in this group.</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA02C1442FD18E46FFDEC280F	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA0331443FE24E218FB812DD9.text	2C74010FA0331443FE24E218FB812DD9.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus asantei Campione, Novak & Gotwald 1983	<div><p>Aenictus asantei Campione, Novak &amp; Gotwald, 1983</p> <p>(Figs 1 E, 3 A–E, 4)</p> <p>Aenictus asantei CAMPIONE, NOVAK &amp; GOTWALD, 1983: 873, 7 figs. (w., Q.)</p> <p>Holotype, GHANA: Legon, University of Ghana (8mi. N Accra) (1w) [MCZC: ENT:33040] MCZC [Images examined only, material seen on web].</p> <p>WORKER HL: 0.72 [0.70-0.74]; HW: 0.70 [0.67-0.72]; SL: 0.58 [0.56-0.60]; WL: 1.24 [1.18- 1.29]; PL: 0.29 [0.27-0.29]; PH: 0.22 [0.20-0.22]; PPL: 0.26 [0.25-0.26]; PPH: 0.18 [0.17- 0.19]; CS: 0.71 [0.68-0.73]; CI: 97 [95-101]; SIL: 80 [80-81]; SIW: 82 [80-84]; WL/HW: 175 [171-178]; PI: 130 [122-134]; PPI: 141 [131-147]; CSR: 106; (n=5).</p> <p>The types deposited at MNHN and BMNH (CAMPIONE et al., 1983) couldn't be found, so the diagnosis below is based on workers from the type locality checked against the Holotype images at MCZBASE (https://mczbase.mcz.harvard.edu/guid/ MCZ:Ent:33040).</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. The long mandibles crossing one over the other when closed and the presence of some irregular longitudinal rugulae over mesopleurae and propodeum makes this species unmistakable. Its overall size, hairy propodeum and habitus could at first glance resemble A. eugenii, but both can be easily distinguished with the cited mandibular characters.</p> <p>DESCRIPTION (Fig. 1 E, 3 A–E). CAMPIONE et al. (1983) offers an accurate description for both worker and queen castes. One of the biggest Afrotropical Aenictus species (HW~0.74, WL~1.26). Mandibles long, one closing tight against the clypeus with the apical tooth surpassing the opposite antennal insertion, and the other mandible crossed over it at an angle; apical tooth present, without preapical, sometimes (but not usually) followed by small denticles. Frontal ridges not fused, expanded in its laterobasal corner into a big projecting rounded triangle clearly visible in lateral or dorsal views. Parafrontal ridge present but weak. Ventrolateral margin present and extending ventrally to approximately half head’s length. Petiole with anterolateral and anterodorsal ridges present, sometimes a parallel ridge runs from the propodeal spiracle to the anterolateral ridge. Propodeal ridge developed and projecting, clearly visible in dorsal view. Petiole subsessile. subpetiolar process from elliptical to triangular, rounded, oriented downwards.</p> <p>Head, pronotum, mesonotum, gaster, scapes and legs glassy smooth, mesopleurae and lateropropodeum longitudinally rugulose, dorsopropodeum from smooth to rugulose. Petiole with 1–2 (at most) horizontal rugulae extending horizontally at spiracle height, another maybe present dorsally. Petiole and postpetiole densely punctated.</p> <p>Orange to dark brown. Whole body (including propodeal dorsum) covered with similar, abundant, very long greyish setae, the longest as long as petiole height. No pubescence noted.</p> <p>OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. GHANA: • Jukwa, C. R. (Gotwald) (3w) [NHMUK012849241] BMNH; Legon, A. D. (Leston, D.) (2w) [NHMUK012849242] BMNH.</p> <p>DISTRIBUTION. West Africa, known from Southern Ghana (Fig. 4).</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA0331443FE24E218FB812DD9	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA0311440FD1BE3F7FC722DE7.text	2C74010FA0311440FD1BE3F7FC722DE7.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus	<div><p>decolor species group</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. The mandibles in this group are massive and conspicuously different from the rest of the species in the genus worldwide with its basal half modified with a blunt, large proximal tooth clearly separated from the rest of the mandible by a constriction rendering the mandible mitten-shaped.</p> <p>Other characteristics are mandibles closing against the clypeus armed with a big sharp apical tooth followed by a smaller preapical tooth. In some workers mandibles are highly eroded and the apical, the preapical or both teeth are not clearly distinguishable, blunt and sometimes damaged or broken. Head quadrate (CI~95-100) with relatively long scapes (SIL~75–100). Ventrolateral carinae developed, extending ventrally to its medial line.</p> <p>Clypeus reduced a rectangular lamella with two small blunt triangular denticles between the antennal sockets, protruding from the middle of the anterior border between the frontal ridges. Sometimes teeth eroded. Frontal ridges present and not fused, laterobasally rounded into a low vertical triangle; parafrontal ridges present but weak, with a small apical tooth pointing upwards. Pronotum convex and propodeum flat in lateral view; transverse mesopleural groove and mesometapleural suture present but not deeply impressed. Propodeal declivity slightly convex, encircled by a well-developed ridge. Femora and tibiae with its apical half swollen. Head, pronotum, legs, scapes and gaster glassy smooth, remainder of mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole smooth to reticulated, always smoother dorsally; mesopleurae and lateropropodeum horizontally rugulose.</p> <p>OVERVIEW. This group consists of three very similar species, with subquadrate heads (CI 95- 105) and identifiable via SIL index and subpetiolar process. A. villiersi has the longest scapes for the Afrotropical region (SIL~100) and a poorly developed subpetiolar process. A. bidentatus and A. decolor can be differentiated based on smaller size and relatively smaller scapes for A. bidentatus (HW: 0.62-0.70; SIL: 63-75) than for A. decolor (HW: 0.67-0.76, SIL: 85-89). This group seems to be closely related to the popeyei group, as they share similar habitus and dentition, but the basal half of the mandibles is highly specific.</p> </div>	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA0311440FD1BE3F7FC722DE7	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA0311447FE4AE620FBA628CF.text	2C74010FA0311447FE4AE620FBA628CF.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus bidentatus Donisthorpe 1942	<div><p>Aenictus bidentatus Donisthorpe, 1942 stat. rev.</p> <p>(Figs 5 A–D, 6)</p> <p>Aenictus bidentatus DONISTHORPE, 1942: 701 (w.)</p> <p>Holotype, GHANA: Tafo. ix-1940, ex. cocoa. Nº 1352 (G.S. Cotterell) (1w) [BMNH(E)1015729, CASENT0902685] BMNH [Examined]; Paratypes, same data (3w each) [NHMUK012849178, NHMUK012849179], BMNH [Examined]. [Junior synonym of decolor: GOTWALD &amp; LEROUX, 1980: 600]. Stat. rev.</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS AND DISCUSSION. The three sibling species found in the decolor complex are almost identical in any morphological aspect except size and relative length of scapes. This fact led GOTWALD &amp; LEROUX (1980) to propose the synonymy between A. batesi, A. bidentatus and A. decolor, although “the type specimens of A. decolor and batesi are larger than those of bidentatus, but in all other characteristics [...] appear identical” (GOTWALD &amp; LEROUX, 1980). Aenictus villiersi could also easily be included in the statement except for its poorly developed subpetiolar process.</p> <p>Morphometrical analysis regarding SL and HL clearly separates the three species. Aenictus bidentatus is consistently smaller (0.54&lt;HL&lt;0.7) and with smaller scapes (63&lt;SIL&lt;76), while A. decolor is larger (0.7&lt;HL&lt;0.76) with much longer scapes (83&lt;SIL&lt;89). These two species present a developed subpetiolar process with lamella, while the third sibling species A. villiersi is similar in size to A. decolor, but with a small subpetiolar process and very long scapes (95&lt;SIL&lt;102).</p> <p>DESCRIPTION (Fig. 5 A–D). WORKER HL: 0.61 [0.51-0.67]; HW: 0.59 [0.48-0.65]; SL: 0.43 [0.38-0.49]; WL: 0.96 [0.80-1.07]; PL: 0.23 [0.19-0.25]; PH: 0.18 [0.15-0.2]; PPL: 0.18 [0.15- 0.20]; PPH: 0.16 [0.13-0.18]; CS: 0.60 [0.50-0.65]; CI: 97 [91-103]; SIL: 70 [63-76]; SIW: 72 [64-80]; WL/HW: 162 [145-176]; PI: 122 [115-135]; PPI: 112 [100-128]; CSR: 131; (n=25).</p> <p>With the characters defined for the decolor group and: scape long, surpassing three quarters of the head when laid back (SIL~88). Funicular segments 1–7 subquadrate, preapical longer than wide, apical more than twice longer than wide; the last three slightly widened but not becoming an apical club. Head subquadrate (CI~97), widest at distal third and narrowing to vertex, this a straight line and shorter than the line at mandible insertions.</p> <p>Petiole subsessile with anterolateral and sometimes anterodorsal carina present, dorsolateral carina absent; propodeal dome rounded, “pushed” backwards, anteriorly sloping at approximately 45 degrees and almost vertical posterior face in lateral view, all angles rounded; sometimes petiole with anterior and dorsal faces straight, angles rounded. Postpetiole subrectangular with almost vertical anterior and vertical posterior faces, the dorsal straight and horizontal, both angles rounded square; the anterior face slightly lower with a more tended rounded angle. Subpetiolar process developed, subrectangular and without lamella, uncommonly a faint ridge or small lamella present.</p> <p>Head, pronotum (except its anterior declivity), mesonotum gaster, scapes, legs and dorsal surfaces of petiole and postpetiole glassy smooth. Mandibles finely striated; meso and metapleurae strongly and irregularly rugulose especially at the mesopleurae; in some individuals mostly reticulated, but always some horizontal rugulae present at the lateropropodeum; dorsopropodeum finely rugulose; remainder of petiole and posteptiole alutaceus to faintly rugulose; surface between rugulae glossy.</p> <p>Head and mesosoma reddish brown to dark reddish brown, especially at mandibles and propodeum. Gaster, coxae, legs and distal half of funiculus yellow to yellowish brown.</p> <p>Whole body with long, sparse, white fine setae; decumbent to adpressed in scape, slightly longer than scape width, semierect in funiculus size about the funiculus width, decumbent setae at legs, size about femora width, erect to semierect in the rest of the body, unequal, the longest about petiole height. No pubescence noted.</p> <p>DISTRIBUTION. West and Central Africa, from Ivory Coast to Cameroon, extending its range to the East in the forests of Uganda and Kenya (Fig. 6).</p> <p>OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. CAMEROON: • Pan Pan (Dejean, A.) (3w) [BMNH(E)1018163, CASENT0281966] BMNH • same data (3w each) [NHMUK012849204 to NHMUK012849206] BMNH • Nkoemuon (Jackson, B.) (3w each) [NHMUK012849194 to NHMUK012849196] BMNH. GHANA: • New Tafo C.R.I.G. 23/06/1979 (Gotwald, W.) (1w each) [FMNH-INS 0000 053 987 to FMNH-INS 0000 053 995] FMNH • same data 26/06/1979 (1w) [FMNH-INS 0000 053 999] FMNH. IVORY COAST: • Palmeraie Lame n 82 (Diomande, T.) (3w each) [NHMUK012849186 to NHMUK012849193] BMNH. KENYA: • Western Province, Kakamega Forest, <a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=34.80444&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=0.30372" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 34.80444/lat 0.30372)">Lubao</a>, Transect 5 1650m, 0.30372, 34.80444 20/06/2007. pitfall trap (G. Fischer). Intensively used tea field (1w) [CASENT0217163] CASC • Western Province, Western Kenya Sugar Factory, <a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=34.82806&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=0.37917" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 34.82806/lat 0.37917)">Mwanza</a> (Kakamega) 1650m, 0.37917, 34.82806 11/09/2007. pitfall trap (F. Hita Garcia). intensively used sugar cane plantation (1w), ground [CASENT0790569] FHGC • Western Province, Kakamega Forest, Isecheno Forest Reserve, pumphouse (Kakamega) 1550m, 0.23, 34.86 07/05/2001, hand collected (R.R. Snelling). rainforest (1w), ex debris at base of tree [CASENT0790570] FHGC. NIGERIA: • Black Pod Project (Taylor, B.). Cashew plot (2w) [NHMUK012849181] BMNH; Gambari (Bolton, B.). On forest path (2w each) [NHMUK012849182 to NHMUK012849185] BMNH • Ibadan (IITA) (Noyes, J.) (3w each) [NHMUK012849197 to NHMUK012849203] BMNH. UGANDA: • Kabarole, Kibale National Park, <a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=30.35926&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=0.55929" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 30.35926/lat 0.55929)">Kanyawara Biological Station</a> 1504 m, 0.55929, 30.35926 08/12/2012 (B.L. Fisher et al.). moist evergreen forest (1w each), ground forager(s) [CASENT0350558 to CASENT0350560] CASC • Western, Kibale National Park, <a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=30.35891&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=0.56437" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 30.35891/lat 0.56437)">Kanyawara Biological Station</a> (Kabarole) 1519 m, 0.56437, 30.35891 08/11/2012 (B.L.Fisher et al.). moist evergreen forest (1w each), ground nest [CASENT0350561, CASENT0350562] CASC • Kabarole Western, Kibale National Park, <a href="http://tb.plazi.org/GgServer/search?materialsCitation.longitude=30.36059&amp;materialsCitation.latitude=0.56437" title="Search Plazi for locations around (long 30.36059/lat 0.56437)">Kanyawara Biological Station</a> 1510m, 0.56437, 30.36059 06/08/2012. hand collected (F. Hita Garcia); rainforest (1w each), ground [CASENT0764139, CASENT0790563 to CASENT0790568] FHGC.</p> </div>	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA0311447FE4AE620FBA628CF	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA0361444FDDCE2D8FAC12D51.text	2C74010FA0361444FDDCE2D8FAC12D51.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus decolor (Mayr 1879)	<div><p>Aenictus decolor (Mayr, 1879)</p> <p>(Figs 1 F, 7 A–E, 8)</p> <p>Typhlatta decolor MAYR, 1879: 668 (diagnosis in key) (w.)</p> <p>Syntype EAST AFRICA. (Smith) (1w) [CASENT0919639] NMHW: Coll. Mayr [Examined]; Syntypes, same data (1w each) [NHMUK 012849174 to NHMUK 012849177] BMNH [Examined].</p> <p>Aenictus decolor DALLA TORRE, 1893: 7 [Combination in Aenictus]. Aenictus batesi FOREL, 1911: 255 (w.) Syntype NIGERIA: Alt. Calabar (H. N. Bates) (1w) [CASENT0907024] NHMB [Examined]; Syntype, same series (1w) [Examined]; Syntype, same data, MHNG Coll. Forel (4 pins, 1w each) [Examined] [Junior synonym of decolor: GOTWALD &amp; LEROUX, 1980: 600].</p> <p>Aenictus decolor Mayr; GOTWALD &amp; LEROUX, 1980: 602 (Q.) IVORY COAST.</p> <p>DESCRIPTION (Figs 1 F, 7 A–E). WORKER HL: 0.69 [0.67-0.72]; HW: 0.65 [0.60-0.70]; SL: 0.60 [0.57-0.63]; WL: 1.16 [1.12-1.21]; PL: 0.25 [0.23-0.26]; PH: 0.19 [0.18-0.21]; PPL: 0.20 [0.18-0.22]; PPH: 0.18 [0.15-0.19]; CS: 0.67 [0.63-0.71]; CI: 93 [87-98]; SIL: 86 [83-89]; SIW: 93 [87-100]; WL/HW: 179 [170-190]; PI: 127 [119-138]; PPI: 113 [100-133]; CSR: 111; (n=9).</p> <p>The workers of this species answer to the A. bidentatus description, except for its more developed mesosomal sculpture, consistently larger size and relatively longer scapes. (See discussion under A. bidentatus).</p> <p>OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. GABON: • Ogooué-Maritime, Réserve des Monts Doudou 370 m, -2.2225, 10.40583 05–12/03/2000, yellow pan trap (S. van Noort), coastal lowland rainforest (1w), sifted within forest [CASENT0317077] CASC • Ogooué-Maritime, Reserve de la Moukalaba-Dougoua, 12.2 km 305° NW Doussala 110 m, -2.28333, 10.49717 24/02- 03/03 /2000. yellow pan trap (S. van Noort). coastal lowland rainforest (1w), sifted within forest [CASENT0746807] CASC. GHANA: • Kade (Majer, J. D.) (2w), on cocoa [NHMUK 012849180] BMNH. GUINEA: • Nzérékoré, Seringbara, Near camp (Nimba) 674m 29/11/2017. Canopy fogging (D. Van der Spiegel). Primary Forest, Canopy cover 80% (2w) [MRACFOR000856] MRAC • same data (2w) [KGCOL 00584] KGPC.</p> <p>DISTRIBUTION. Western and Central Africa, from the Guinean mountains to Gabon (Fig. 8).</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA0361444FDDCE2D8FAC12D51	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA0341445FDD7E3F8FAE72E4E.text	2C74010FA0341445FDD7E3F8FAE72E4E.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus villiersi Bernard 1953	<div><p>Aenictus villiersi Bernard, 1953</p> <p>(Figs 9 A–D, 10)</p> <p>Aenictus villiersi BERNARD, 1953: 221, fig. 7 (w.)</p> <p>Syntypes, GUINEA: forêt du Nimba nord est, 700 m. ix-1946 (Villiers) (4w) [EY9136, EY20210, EY20211, EY20212]. Material examined and remounted on four different pins, EY9136 with original labels.</p> <p>DESCRIPTION (Fig. 9 A–D). WORKER: HL: 0.71 [0.70-0.73]; HW: 0.72 [0.70-0.74]; SL: 0.7 [0.69-0.72]; WL: 1.21 [1.14-1.26]; PL: 0.27 [0.26-0.28]; PH: 0.21 [0.21-0.22]; PPL: 0.23 [0.21- 0.23]; PPH: 0.18 [0.17-0.18]; CS: 0.71 [0.7-0.72]; CI: 101 [98-105]; SIL: 99 [95-102]; SIW: 97 [94-102]; WL/HW: 167 [163-170]; PI: 125 [118-133]; PPI: 128 [116-135]; CSR: 102; (n=4).</p> <p>Aenictus villiersi fits the description of A. batesi and A. decolor, except for SIL considerably larger, the biggest of all the Afrotropical species (~100), subpetiolar process considerably smaller and shaped as a quarter of ellipse with its vertical side oriented forward, instead of subrectangular as in the other two sibling species. Petiole with dorsolateral ridges small but present, extending to the spiracle; in dorsal view forming a small flat platform differentiable from petiolar node (this character also present in some A. decolor samples). Also see discussion under A. bidentatus.</p> <p>OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. GUINEA: • Nzérékoré, Forêt Mt Leclerc (Mount Nimba), 7.66878, -8.41697 19/04/2017. Monolithe (Kolo, Y.). Forest (1w) [KY00118GUI] YKPC.</p> <p>DISTRIBUTION. West Africa, known only from one location, Mount Nimba in Guinea (Fig. 10).</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA0341445FDD7E3F8FAE72E4E	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA03B144AFD1BE735FB372F36.text	2C74010FA03B144AFD1BE735FB372F36.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus Emery 1895	<div><p>eugenii species group</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. This group is easily recognizable due to the linear mandibles that leave a gap against the clypeus when closed and have their clypeus reduced to two triangular denticles between (A. eugenii) or beneath (A. mvuvii sp. nov.) the antennal sockets, exceptionally with another two–four smaller denticles outside the antennal sockets.</p> <p>Pronotum convex and propodeum flat to slightly convex in lateral view; transverse mesopleural groove and mesometapleural suture present but not deeply impressed. Propodeal declivity slightly convex, encircled by a well-developed ridge. Femora and tibiae with its apical half swollen.</p> <p>OVERVIEW. Two species in this group. Aenictus eugenii is a big species (HW 0.60-0.95) with relatively long scapes (SIL 70-85) and long, semierect to erect unequal setae, while A. mvuvii sp. nov. is clearly smaller (HW ∼ 0.50) with shorter scapes (SIL ∼ 52) and appressed setae quite regular in size. These species seem to have different distributions, with A. eugenii being Southern and Eastern African and A. mvuvii sp. nov. restricted to West Africa.</p> </div>	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA03B144AFD1BE735FB372F36	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA03A1472FDC3E3F8FD752825.text	2C74010FA03A1472FDC3E3F8FD752825.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus eugenii Emery 1895	<div><p>Aenictus eugenii Emery, 1895</p> <p>(Figs 1 C, 11 A–D, 17)</p> <p>Aenictus eugenii EMERY, 1895 (w.):</p> <p>17 Syntype, SOUTH AFRICA, [CASENT0903759, seen on web]; Syntype A. eugenii, no loc. data (1w) MHNG [Examined].</p> <p>Aenictus eugenii var. brazzai SANTSCHI, 1910: 355 (w.)</p> <p>Syntype workers (3w), CONGO: Brazzaville 01.dec.1906 (Weiss) (3w) [CASENT0911418] NHMB [Examined]; Syntype, same data, (2 pins, 1w each) MHNG [Examined]; Syntype, same data, (2 pins, 1w each) [MRACFOR000016, MRACFOR000017] MRAC [Examined]; same data, not labelled as type (2w, 3w) NHMB [Examined]; same data, not labelled as type (3w) [EY19928] MNHN [Examined]. Syn. nov.</p> <p>Aenictus brazzai Santschi; SANTSCHI, 1924: 204 [Raised to species rank]. Syn. nov.</p> <p>Aenictus eugenii subsp. caroli FOREL, 1910: 248 (w.)</p> <p>Syntype, ERITREA: Nefassit (1w) NHMB [Examined]; Syntype, Nefassit (Escherich) (1w) NHMB [Examined]; Syntype, Erythraea (4w) (Escherich) NHMB [Examined]; Syntype, Nefassit (Escherich) (3w) MHNG [Examined], Syntype, same data (2w) [CASENT0907026] MHNG [Examined]. Syn. nov.</p> <p>Aenictus eugenii v. henrii SANTSCHI, 1924: 204 (w.)</p> <p>Syntype, DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: Kidada (Kitobola) 14-25.ii.1922 (Dr. H. Schouteden) (1w) [CASENT0911423] NHMB [Examined]; Syntype, same data (15 pins, 1w each) [MRACFOR000018 to MRACFOR000032] MRAC [Examined]. Syn. nov.</p> <p>Aenictus eugeniae v. kenyensis SANTSCHI, 1933 (w.): 100 [Junior synonym of eugenii Gotwald &amp; Cunningham-Van Someren, 1976: 183, confirmed here];</p> <p>Syntype, KENYA: Kiambou (La Pelley) (8w) [CASENT0902686] NHMB [Examined]; Syntypes, Liambu 27/02/1929 (R. H. Le Pelley) (3w each) [NHMUK012849233, NHMUK012849234] BMNH [Examined].</p> <p>Aenictus eugenii Emery; GOTWALD &amp; CUNNINGHAM- VAN SOMEREN, 1976: 183 (Q.) KENYA.</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. Identification is straightforward due to the clypeal shape reduced to two teeth between the antennal sockets, its linear mandibles not closing against it and its long overall pilosity. Aenictus mvuvii sp. nov. shares the mandibular configuration but A. eugenii is larger, even in the minima workers (0.59&lt;HW&lt;0.89 vs. A. mvuvii 0.44&lt;HW&lt;0.59, 1.02&lt;WL&lt;1.40 vs. A. mvuvii 0.72&lt;WL&lt;0.91) with relatively longer scapes (69&lt;SIL&lt;83 vs. mvuvii 52&lt;SIL&lt;63) and presents long, unequal semierect to erect setae, while it’s adpressed in A. mvuvii.</p> <p>DESCRIPTION (Figs 1 C, 11 A–D). WORKER HL: 0.71 [0.6-0.86]; HW: 0.71 [0.59-0.89]; SL: 0.53 [0.43-0.65]; WL: 1.18 [1.02-1.40]; PL: 0.27 [0.22-0.36]; PH: 0.22 [0.18-0.27]; PPL: 0.21 [0.18-0.26]; PPH: 0.19 [0.16-0.24]; CS: 0.71 [0.60-0.88]; CI: 99 [93-105]; SIL: 75 [69-83]; SIW: 75 [69-87]; WL/HW: 167 [154-187]; PI: 121 [104-134]; PPI: 107 [100-123]; CSR: 144; (n=42).</p> <p>Scapes long, reaching three quarters of the head when laid back (SIL~75). All funicular segments elongate; the last four slightly widened but not becoming an apical club. Head subquadrate (CI~100), widest at mandibular base and narrowing to vertex, this a straight line and slightly shorter than the line at mandible insertions, with rounded corners.</p> <p>Mandibles armed with one long sharp apical and one subapical tooth, followed by 5–7 denticles and sometimes a slightly larger basal tooth. Denticles and basal teeth become seriously eroded, seeming edentate.</p> <p>Petiole subsessile with anterolateral and anterodorsal carinae present, dorsolateral and posterior carinae absent; propodeal dome rounded, rectangular, anteriorly almost tended and rounded, and posterior vertical face in lateral view, all angles rounded; in some individuals posterolateral petiolar corners angular, but without ridges. Postpetiole subrectangular with almost vertical anterior and posterior faces, the dorsal straight and horizontal, both angles rounded square; the anterior face slightly lower with a more tended rounded angle. Subpetiolar process always very developed, subrectangular, rounded and with a big rounded triangular lamella facing downwards, its whole size comparable to petiolar dome.</p> <p>Head, pronotum (except its anterior declivity), dorsal surface of metanotum gaster, legs and dorsal surfaces of petiole and postpetiole glassy smooth. Mandibles finely rugulose; meso and metapleurae, propodeum, petiole and sides of postpetiole strongly reticulated; some (3-4) horizontal rugulae present at the lateropropodeum converging to the propodeal lobes; postpetiolar and in some individuals petiolar dorsum, smooth.</p> <p>Body reddish brown to dark reddish brown, darker at mandibles and propodeum. Gaster and legs lighter, yellowish in some individuals.</p> <p>Whole body with long, semierect to erect, sparse, white fine setae; semierect in funiculus, clearly longer than funiculus width; the rest with average size longer than petiole height; legs and gaster with semierect to decumbent setae, longer than femora width. No pubescence noted. DISCUSSION. This species seems to be the most widespread Afrotropical Aenictus, ranging from Ethiopia in the Northeast to South Africa. Samples from West Africa (Congo, RDC, Central African Republic) are quite intriguing, as no other species seems to share both habitats.</p> <p>Arguments to sustain the synonymies proposed here are exposed below, but, given the wide distribution range exposed above, I do think that this species is the best candidate for a more detailed analysis on sibling species through molecular and genetic analysis.</p> <p>ETHOLOGY. This species has been found attending Pseudococcus (GOTWALD &amp; CUNNINGHAM-VAN SOMEREN, 1976), second time in Dorylines.</p> <p>SYNONYMS UNDER A. eugenii.</p> <p>Aenictus brazzai Santschi, 1924 and all the described A. eugenii subspecies have been synonymized under A. eugenii in this revision. Morphometric analysis was performed to assess this decision.</p> <p>Aenictus brazzai was described by SANTSCHI (1924), stating that the main difference with the A. eugenii type is the absence of clypeal teeth, being other differences its smaller size, and shorter funiculus segments and (‘above all’) also shorter head. Clypeal teeth are present in all the checked specimens of the A. brazzai type series (Fig. 12C); also head measurements fall into the lower third of all measured specimens, but without any significant difference with the minima workers of other samples.</p> <p>Aenictus eugenii caroli was described by FOREL in 1910 as follows: “Head distinctly longer than broad, rear strongly narrowed as with the type. Antennae slimmer; the scape slightly overlaps the rear head quarter or reaches it well (does not reach it in the type). All the funicular segments much longer than thick, the shortest 1 1/2 times (shorter in type). The mesopleurae slightly matt and punctured. The petiole is barely longer than the second (longer in type). Body hair very long, as in rotundatus Mayr. Abdomen darker, more brownish-yellow (light yellowish with type). Otherwise, the propodeum and size are exactly the same as the type. Particularly striking is the shape of the head and antennae.”</p> <p>GOTWALD &amp; CUNNINGHAM- VAN SOMEREN (1976) refuses to give a verdict on its analysis of the A. eugenii species: “We have examined the types of carolli but are not prepared to deal with its status [...]. This subspecies is small and equal in size to the smallest eugenii specimens [...] While its pattern of punctuation is like that of eugenii, it is entirely golden yellow (the head and alitrunk of eugenii are reddish-brown)”</p> <p>Shape of head (CI) doesn’t deviate from the pattern of the rest of the series (Fig. 13 D, Fig. 14 C). Scapes, though, seem to be slightly longer in the minima workers, but fall into the series again with larger workers (Fig. 13 C, Fig. 14 B). Morphometric analysis doesn’t show significant deviation from the population neither in head proportions/size nor in scape length nor in funicular segments, and measurements of the type series fall under all the size spectrum. The difference in colour cited by Gotwald may be due to being a recently hatched worker as other inspected workers in the type series also show the typical brown color on head and mesosoma.</p> <p>Aenictus eugenii henrii was described by SANTSCHI (1924) as “Intermediate between the type and the var. caroli. Differs from this last for its head, less elongated and narrowed posteriorly, slightly shorter that the type. Differs from this by the clypeal teeth, closer, shaped as in caroli ”. The henrii type measurements and clypeal teeth show no significant deviation from the series.</p> <p>SANTSCHI (1933) describes A. eugenii kenyensis as “[...]Differs from type by its shorter scapes not surpassing the upper quarter of the head. The first segment of funiculus longer. The rest like eugeniae ”. Scapes does not deviate from the series (Figs 13 C, 14 B).</p> <p>Morphometric analysis does not reveal any difference among the different names implied in the problem and typical series for described subspecies appear to be a subset of the size diversity for the species (Figs 13, 14). The data used contain workers for each type series and one from Kare (Kenya), that stretches along all the size spectrum.</p> <p>PCA (Fig. 15) and NCCA (Fig. 16) did not provide any evidence of separation among the different samples.</p> <p>Based on these data, A. eugenii, A. brazzai, and all the A. eugenii subspecies seem to represent size subsets in the A. eugenii spectrum, so the synonymy among all of them is proposed.</p> <p>OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. BOTSWANA: • Maxwee 19/05/1976 (Russell-Smith, A.) (2w) [NHMUK012849236] BMNH • same data (3w each) [NHMUK012849237, NHMUK012849238] BMNH. BURUNDI: • Banage 08/06/1980 (Dejean, A.) (3w each) [NHMUK012849239, NHMUK012849240] BMNH. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: • Sangha-Mbaéré, Parc National Dzanga-Ndoki, Mabéa Bai, 21.4 km 53° NE Bayanga 510 m, 3.03333, 16.41 01-07/05/2001 (B.L. Fisher). rainforest (2w), ground forager(s) [CASENT0415253] CASC • same data (3w) [CASENT0415254] CASC • same data (1w) [CASENT0415253] CASC. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: • Sud-Kivu, Lwiro River, 47 km N. of Bukavu 1650 m, -2.21667, 28.83333 01/04/1958 (E.S. Ross, R.E. Leech) (3w each) [CASENT0810230, CASENT0810231] CASC • Rutshuru 01/1938 (H. J. Brédo) (54 pins 1w each) [RBINSFOR002417 to RBINSFOR002470] RBINS. ERITREA: • Ghinda 28/03/1905 (Sett.) (1w) MHNG. ETHIOPIA: • Harar 1903 (Bourg de Bozas) (8 pins 1w each) [EY19920 to EY19927] MNHN. KENYA: • Western Province, Kakamega Forest, Malawa Forest Fragment 1646m, 0.45, 34.85 01/07/2008. hand collected (F. Hita Garcia). rainforest (1w each), ground [CASENT0790574 to CASENT0790579] FHGC • Rift Valley Province, Mpala Research Centre (Laikipia) 1600m, 0.29, 36.9 20/03/2001. hand collected (R.R. Snelling). Acacia xanthophloea woodland (3w), emerging from crack in concrete apron [CASENT0790580] FHGC • Karen (Nairobi) 04/05/1972 (Cunningham, G. R.; Van Someren) (+10w, ethanol) [FMNH-INS 0000 119 686] FMNH • same data 1w each [FMNH-INS 0000 119 686-2 to FMNH-INS 0000 119 686-5] FMNH. MOZAMBIQUE: • Zambézia, Mount Mabu 375 m 26/03/2016 (B.L. Fisher et al.), rainforest (1w each), ex soil [CASENT0779864 to CASENT0779866] CASC • same data ex soil [CASENT0779876 to CASENT0779878] CASC • Zambézia, Mount Mabu 960 m 05/03/2016 (B.L. Fisher et al.). montane forest (1w each), sifted litter [CASENT0782394, CASENT0782395] CASC. SOUTH AFRICA: • Bothaville (1w) MHNG • Mpumalanga, Songimuelo NR, Kromdraai Camp. Komati River 800 m, - 26.04278, 31.00139 19/03/2001. Pitfalls (D. Ubick) (1w) [CASENT0080142] CASC • Natal (Wroughton) (1w) MHNG • Orange Free State, Bothaville 01/06/1899 (Dr. Brauns) (1w) [NHMUK012849226] BMNH • Orange Free State, Bothaville (G. Mayr) (1w) [NHMUK012849235] BMNH • Free State, Bothaville (3 pins, 1w each) NMHW • Free State, Orange (1w) NMHW. UGANDA: • Bundibugyo, Semuliki National Park 685 m, 0.85681, 30.16672 01/08/2012 (B.L. Fisher et al.). rainforest (1w each), ground forager(s) [CASENT0350547 to CASENT0350549] CASC • same data [CASENT0350552 to CASENT0350554] CASC • Eastern Region, Mount Elgon N. P. 1859m, 1.38013, 34.4034. Pitfall (Vanderhaegen, K.). Shade coffee (1w) [RBINSFOR000126] RBINS • Eastern Region, Mount Elgon N. P. 1410m, 0.88599, 34.31604. Litter Sieving + Winkler (Vanderhaegen, K.). Pine (1w) [RBINSFOR001015] RBINS. ZIMBABWE: • Bulawayo (Arnold) (1w) NHMB • same data 08/02/1914 (1w each) [NHMUK012849224, NHMUK012849225] BMNH • same data (4w each) [NHMUK012849227 to NHMUK012849230] BMNH • same data (1w) [NHMUK012849232] • Bulawayo 01/01/1916 (Arnold) (1w each, 14 pin) [MRACFOR000002 to MRACFOR000015] MRAC • Mope fountain 07/02/1921 (Arnold, G.) (8w) [NHMUK012849231] BMNH.</p> <p>DISTRIBUTION. The species with the widest distribution in this revision. It ranges from Eritrea to South Africa in East Africa, but reaches the Western parts of Republic Democratic of Congo and the Central African Republic (Fig. 17).</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA03A1472FDC3E3F8FD752825	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA0031470FDE5E74EFDC12FE7.text	2C74010FA0031470FDE5E74EFDC12FE7.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus mvuvii Gómez 2022	<div><p>Aenictus mvuvii sp. nov.</p> <p>Zoobank: B41E0019-7769-44E8-9560-4A9DD8B11B70</p> <p>(Figs 1 D, 18 A–E, 19)</p> <p>Holotype worker, UGANDA: • Bundibugyo, Semuliki National Park 680 m, 0.84483, 30.15052 02/08/2012 (B.L. Fisher et al.). rainforest (1w), ex soil at base of tree [CASENT0350555] CASC. Paratype workers: • same series (2 pins, 1w each) [CASENT0350556, CASENT0350557].</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. The combination of mandibular shape and reclinated pilosity make this species unmistakable. Other useful characters to differentiate it from A. eugenii are its small size, smaller than eugenii minima (0.44&lt;HW&lt;0.59 vs. 0.59&lt;HW&lt;0.89, 0.72&lt;WL&lt;0.91 vs. 1.02&lt;WL&lt;1.40) and relatively shorter antennae (52&lt;SIL&lt;63 vs. eugenii: 69&lt;SIL&lt;83).</p> <p>DESCRIPTION (Figs. 1 D, 18 A–E). WORKER. HL: 0.54 [0.49-0.62]; HW: 0.50 [0.44-0.59]; SL: 0.31 [0.26-0.40]; WL: 0.80 [0.72-0.91]; PL: 0.19 [0.16-0.24]; PH: 0.16 [0.14-0.18]; PPL: 0.15 [0.13-0.17]; PPH: 0.14 [0.12-0.16]; CS: 0.52 [0.46-0.61]; CI: 93 [89-98]; SIL: 58 [52-63]; SIW: 62 [57-67]; WL/HW: 157 [151-163]; PI: 117 [106-133]; PPI: 109 [100-123]; CSR: 130; (n=12).</p> <p>Scapes short, hardly surpassing the middle of the head when laid back (SIL~60). All funicular segments shorter than wide except apical, twice longer than wide. Head slightly elongate (CI~93), widest at its middle, subrectangular with convex sides and straight occiput with rounded corners.</p> <p>Mandibles armed with one long sharp apical tooth, followed by 2–5 denticles. These can become seriously eroded in some individuals, seeming edentate.</p> <p>Petiole subsessile with anterolateral, anterodorsal and posterodorsal carinae present, dorsolateral carinae absent; propodeal dome rounded, elliptical and low with a posterior vertical face in lateral view; postpetiole subrectangular with almost vertical anterior and vertical posterior faces, the dorsal straight and horizontal, both angles rounded square. Subpetiolar process always very developed, elliptical, rounded and with a big rounded triangular lamella facing downwards, longer posteriorly, its whole size clearly larger than the petiolar dome.</p> <p>Head, pronotum, mesonotum, gaster and legs glassy smooth. Mandibles strongly rugulose; meso and metapleurae, propodeum, petiole and postpetiole strongly reticulated, sometimes alutaceus on postpetiole.</p> <p>Body reddish brown, darker at mandibles and sutures; legs and gaster lighter, yellowish in some individuals.</p> <p>Whole body with relatively short, reclinated white fine setae, those on petiole and postpetiole longer; semierect in funiculus, shorter than funiculus width; legs with decumbent to adpressed setae, shorter than femora. No pubescence noted.</p> <p>DERIVATIO NOMINIS. The species name mvuvii is Latinized noun in the genitive case, dedicated to Dr. Brian Fisher (“mvuvi” in Swahili), who encouraged me to revise the genus and provided exceptionally valuable material.</p> <p>OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: • Sangha-Mbaéré, Parc National Dzanga-Ndoki, Mabéa Bai, 21.4 km 53° NE Bayanga 510 m, 3.03333, 16.41 01- 07/05/2001. MW 50 sample transect, 5m (B.L. Fisher). rainforest (1w), sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood) [CASENT0406730] CASC. GABON: • Ogooué-Maritime, Aire d'Exploit. Rationnelle de Faune des Monts Doudou, 25.2 km 304° NW Doussala 640 m, -2.2275, 10.3945 14/03/2000. MW 50 sample transect, 5m (B.L. Fisher). rainforest (1w), sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood) [CASENT0746805] CASC. GHANA: • Kumasi, FORIG, nr. pond, 6.71497, - 1.52908 09/01/2019. Hand (Gomez, K.). Frag. degr. For. (9w), ex soil [KG03931] KGPC • same data (3w) [KG03931E02] AFRC • Tafo 26/09/1970 (Bolton, B.). Cocoa leaf litter (6 pins, 2w each) [NHMUK012849218 to NHMUK012849223] BMNH. IVORY COAST: • Dent (Man) 09/03/1977 (I. Löbl). For. Litter near river (1w) [MHNGENTO00012639] MHNG • Montagnes District, Site 04 (Taï N. P.) 200m, 5.83093, -7.344 10/11/2019. Winkler (Gómez, K., Kouakou, L.). Primary Forest (1w), Litter [KGCOL00436] KGPC • Montagnes District, Site 06 (Taï N. P.) 200m, 5.83458, -7.34638 12/11/2019. Winkler (Gómez, K., Kouakou, L.). Primary Forest (3w), Litter [KGCOL00002] KGPC, • same data (+30w eth) [KG04363].</p> <p>DISTRIBUTION. West and Central Africa, known from Ivory Coast to Gabon, extending its range to the East to Uganda (Fig. 19).</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA0031470FDE5E74EFDC12FE7	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA0001471FD0BE3FBFE732D31.text	2C74010FA0001471FD0BE3FBFE732D31.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus Gómez 2022	<div><p>koloi species group</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. Species in this group are easily identifiable due to its reticulated head and rectangular femora in frontal view, while the other Afrotropical species present glassy smooth heads and femora swollen in its distal half.</p> <p>Monomorphic. Scape subcylindrical, wider in distal apex and slightly narrower at the proximal; moderately long, reaching almost three quarters of the head when laid back (SIL~70-75). Head longer than wide (CI ~80–90). Ventrolateral margin developed. Mandibles triangular, closing against clypeus; this a thin convex lamella, minutely denticulated: one big apical teeth followed by up to ten denticles to triangular teeth; frontal ridges present, very closely together, sometimes fused medially and diverging basally; parafrontal ridges weakly developed but present as a darkened ridge, with a small tooth apically; both structures not surpassing the antennal sockets.</p> <p>Pro- and mesonotum convex, propodeum flat, both meeting at an angle. Transverse mesopleural groove and mesometapleural suture present but weakly impressed. Propodeal declivity convex, encircled by a well-developed ridge. Petiole subsessile. Femora subrectangular in frontal view, not distally incrassated. Mandibles longitudinally striated; overall sculpture reticulated, including head, legs and antennae. Gaster glassy smooth, except for a small dorsal alutaceus area adjacent to the postpetiolar insertion, extending backwards not more than the postpetiole width.</p> <p>OVERVIEW. This group consists of three species: A. koloi sp. nov. is clearly smaller (HW&lt;0,60) and unlike the other two does not present a developed subpetiolar process; the pilosity in A. susanae sp. nov. is abundant, long and reclinated overall, while in A. xegi sp. nov. is scattered, semierect and unequal.</p> </div>	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA0001471FD0BE3FBFE732D31	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA0001477FD11E76EFB3528DC.text	2C74010FA0001477FD11E76EFB3528DC.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus koloi Gómez 2022	<div><p>Aenictus koloi sp. nov.</p> <p>Zoobank: ABF79652-7538-41BB-AA19-6B5F03008C2A</p> <p>(Figs 1 B, 20 A–E, 21)</p> <p>Holotype worker, IVORY COAST: • Montagnes District, Taï Research Centre (Taï N. P.) 200m, 5.83293, -7.34251 10/11/2019. Hand collected (Gómez, K., Kouakou, L.). Primary Forest (1w), Foraging ground [KGCOL00551] BMNH.</p> <p>Paratype workers, • same data (3w) [KGCOL00552] CASC, (2w) [KGCOL00553] MHNG, (2w) [KGCOL00554] AFRC, (2w) [KGCOL00555] SAMC, (2w) [KGCOL00556] MNHN, (2w) [KGCOL00557] FHGC, (2w) [KGCOL00558] MNHB, (2w) [KGCOL00559] KGPC, (3w) [KGCOL00571] YKPC, (2w) [KGCOL02108] RBINS, (2w) [KGCOL02109] RWAC, (+20w eth) [KG04028] KGPC.</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. Aenictus koloi sp. nov. resembles A. xegi sp. nov. in its overall aspect but it’s clearly smaller (HW&lt;0.60 vs. HW&gt;0.68), has less developed reticulation (sometimes becoming alutaceus over the head and femora), and the subpetiolar process is small, its size slightly larger than prora.</p> <p>DESCRIPTION (Figs 1 B, 20 A–E). WORKER. HL: 0.68 [0.63-0.72]; HW: 0.56 [0.53-0.59]; SL: 0.48 [0.45-0.51]; WL: 1.06 [0.95-1.13]; PL: 0.25 [0.23-0.26]; PH: 0.17 [0.16-0.20]; PPL: 0.20 [0.18-0.22]; PPH: 0.16 [0.13-0.19]; CS: 0.62 [0.58-0.65]; CI: 81 [78-84]; SIL: 70 [67-73]; SIW: 86 [81-89]; WL/HW: 188 [177-194]; PI: 142 [129-156]; PPI: 125 [111-149]; CSR: 112; (n=15).</p> <p>With the characters defined for the koloi group and: funicular segments 1-8 subquadrate, the apical almost three times longer than wide. Head convex laterally, slightly widest at the middle, occipital line straight; ventrolateral margin reaching ventrally half the distance to the mandibular insertions.</p> <p>Petiole with anterolateral and anterodorsal carina present, dorsolateral carina absent. In lateral view straight anterior face sloping approximately 45 degrees to a flat rounded dome, with a truncated vertical posterior face; postpetiole in lateral view from elliptical to subrectangular and rounded with almost vertical anterior and posterior faces. Subpetiolar process poorly developed, a quarter of ellipse with its vertical line facing forward, the whole subpetiolar process slightly larger than the prora. Sometimes a small lamella can be present.</p> <p>Whole body including scape, funiculus and legs alutaceus to reticulated, deeper over propodeum, petiole and postpetiole. Gaster glassy smooth. Overall colour brown, with gaster clearly brighter yellowish brown. Metatibial gland yellowish, conspicuous.</p> <p>Scattered yellowish white semierect to erect setae present everywhere; propodeum bare except adjacent to mesonotum and propodeal ridge, each with a pair of setae. Length of setae about petiole height on average.</p> <p>DERIVATIO NOMINIS. The species name koloi is Latinized noun in the genitive case, dedicated to Professor Yeo Kolo, for his life dedication to West African ants and his invaluable help and support during my field trip to Taï Forest.</p> <p>OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. GHANA: • Osiem 16/07/1969 (Leston, D.) (2w) [NHMUK012849244, NHMUK012849245] BMNH.</p> <p>DISTRIBUTION. Western Africa, known from Ghana and Ivory Coast (Fig. 21).</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA0001477FD11E76EFB3528DC	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA0061475FDFCE60EFAE62B5A.text	2C74010FA0061475FDFCE60EFAE62B5A.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus susanae Gómez 2022	<div><p>Aenictus susanae sp. nov.</p> <p>Zoobank: EABAF8B6-628B-4858-9CD3-26463CADF79D</p> <p>(Figs 2 D, 22 A–D, 23)</p> <p>Holotype worker, CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: • Sangha-Mbaéré, Parc National Dzanga-Ndoki, Mabéa Bai, 21.4 km 53° NE Bayanga 510 m, 3.03333, 16.41 01-07/05/2001. MW 50 sample transect, 5m (B.L. Fisher) rainforest, sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood) (1w) [CASENT0406729] CASC.</p> <p>Paratype workers: • same series (3 pins, 1w each) [CASENT0406728, CASENT0406731, CASENT0406732].</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. Unmistakable species due to its strong, deep sculpture and dense, long, reclined pilosity. This species is in fact the most heavily sculptured in the Afrotropical region, with a deep clearly defined reticule even overhead and legs.</p> <p>DESCRIPTION (Figs 2 D, 22 A–D). WORKER. HL: 0.83 [0.80-0.87]; HW: 0.73 [0.70-0.79]; SL: 0.60 [0.57-0.62]; WL: 1.30 [1.24-1.39]; PH: 0.24 [0.21-0.26]; PPRO: 0.12 [0.10-0.14]; CI: 88 [83-92]; SIL: 72 [69-75]; SIW: 82 [78-86]; WL/HW: 177 [170-185] (n=15).</p> <p>With the characters defined for the koloi group and: funicular segments 1-8 subquadrate, the apical twice longer than wide. Head slightly convex laterally widest at the mandibular insertion and narrowing to the concave occipital line; ventrolateral margin reaching ventrally more than two thirds the distance to the mandibular insertions. Mandibles with a long, sharp apical tooth followed by a series of 10–12 denticles.</p> <p>Petiole with anterolateral, anterodorsal, dorsolateral, posterolateral posterodorsal carinae present and developed, the dorsolateral as a horizontal ridge from anterior to almost posterior ridges, above the petiolar spiracle. In lateral view petiolar node subelliptical, low, with a truncated vertical posterior face; postpetiole in lateral view rounded, elliptical to hemispherical. Subpetiolar process very developed, with a bulk elliptical and low, followed by a rectangular long narrow lamella facing forward at 45 degrees, from digitiform to elliptical; the whole process clearly larger than the prora.</p> <p>Whole body including legs and antennae deeply reticulated; some (2–6) horizontal rugae present on the mesopleura which continue as horizontal striae on the lower fourth of the metapleura, the uppermost just below the metapleural gland, converging to the spiny metapleural lobe; gaster glassy smooth. Overall colour dark brown, gaster yellowish brown; metatibial gland yellowish, conspicuous.</p> <p>Whole body covered with long, white, abundant decumbent to semierect reclined setae, those on head, mesosoma and gaster with length about petiole height, those and legs and scapes slightly shorter, but clearly longer than femora or scape width.</p> <p>DERIVATIO NOMINIS. The species name susanae is a latinized noun of feminine gender in the genitive case. Dedicated to my wife, Susana.</p> <p>OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. CAMEROON: • no loc data 15/02/1950 (R. F. Nyong) (3 pins, 1w each) ZMUC • Ottotomo 12/05/1990 (Dejean, A.) (5 pins, 3w each) [NHMUK012849247 to NHMUK012849251] BMNH.</p> <p>DISTRIBUTION. Central Africa, known from Cameroon and Central African Republic (Fig. 23).</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA0061475FDFCE60EFAE62B5A	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA004147BFD1AE6AEFB522B7F.text	2C74010FA004147BFD1AE6AEFB522B7F.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus xegi Gómez 2022	<div><p>Aenictus xegi sp. nov.</p> <p>Zoobank: E6F9D7F1-5ABE-4800-AC47-6E167387BC6A</p> <p>(Figs 2 B, 24 A–D, 25)</p> <p>Holotype worker, GHANA: • nr. Kibi (Atewa Forest reservation) 27/03/1992 (Belshaw, R.). Primary forest (1w), Leaf litter [NHMUK012849243] BMNH.</p> <p>Paratype worker, CAMEROON: • Nkoemvon 02/06/1905 (Jackson, B.) (1w) [NHMUK012849246] BMNH.</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. Similar in size and overall habitus to A. susanae sp. nov., but with much scattered erect to semierect pilosity, instead of the dense reclinated setae present in that species. The series from Congo is almost bare and its colour light brown, but quite probably due to previous manipulation as other specimens of different species from the same sample present the same deterioration.</p> <p>Due to the scarcity of material and the bad shape of the only series with three workers, I have decided to designate Holotype and Paratype from different localities as I have no reasonable doubt about their conspecificity.</p> <p>DESCRIPTION (Figs 2 B, 24 A–D). WORKER HL: 0.80 [0.76-0.86]; HW: 0.71 [0.68-0.74]; SL: 0.57 [0.54-0.62]; WL: 1.27 [1.22-1.36]; PH: 0.24 [0.22-0.26]; PPRO: 0.12 [0.10-0.15]; CI: 88 [86-90]; SIL: 71 [68-73]; SIW: 80 [77-84]; WL/HW: 179 [176-183] (n=4).</p> <p>With the characters defined for the koloi group and: funicular segments shorter than wide becoming subcuadrate, the apical twice longer than wide. Head convex laterally, widest at the middle; occipital line slightly concave. Ventrolateral margin reaching ventrally half the distance to mandible insertions. Mandibles with a sharp apical tooth followed by a series of 7–10 small denticles.</p> <p>Petiole subsessile with anterolateral and anterodorsal carina present, dorsolateral carina present as two short parallel ridges from the anterodorsal ridge to the petiolar dome; in lateral view anterior face straight to concave, sloping 45 degrees to the rounded dorsal face, vertical posterior face; postpetiole rounded in lateral view. Subpetiolar process very developed, with the bulk digitiform, longer than wide, oriented anteriorly and followed by a big lamella, its length about one third of the subpetiolar process. The whole process clearly larger than prora.</p> <p>Whole body including legs and antennae deeply reticulated; some (1–3) horizontal rugae present on the mesopleura which continue as horizontal striae on the lower fourth of the metapleura, the uppermost just below the metapleural gland, converging to the spiny metapleural lobe; gaster glassy smooth. Overall colour dark brown, gaster yellowish brown.</p> <p>Scattered white, long, semierect to erect setae present on head, mesosoma, petiole, postpetiole and gaster; propodeum bare except adjacent to mesonotum and dorsally at its half, with a pair of setae each. Dorsum of petiole and postpetiole, with 1–4 pairs of setae at most. Setae length comparable to petiole height.</p> <p>DERIVATIO NOMINIS. The species name xegi is Latinized noun in the genitive case, dedicated to my mentor and good friend Xavier Espadaler i Gelabert. Thank you for everything.</p> <p>OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. REPUBLIC OF CONGO: • Western Cuvette, Lossi Animal Sanctuary, 2003. Hand (Rodriguez-Teijeiro, J. D.) (2 pins, 1w each) [KGCOL00572, KGCOL00573] KGPC • same series, (1w) [KG03210-3] CASC.</p> <p>DISTRIBUTION. West and Central Africa, known from Ghana to Congo (Fig. 25).</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA004147BFD1AE6AEFB522B7F	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA00A1478FD1AE6F3FA862857.text	2C74010FA00A1478FD1AE6F3FA862857.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus Gómez 2022	<div><p>popeyei species group</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. Unmistakable due to their massive mandibles, conspicuously different from the rest of the species in the genus worldwide with its basal half modified, globose, expanded and as big as the rest of the mandible.</p> <p>Mandibles closing against the clypeus and armed with a big sharp apical tooth followed by a smaller preapical tooth. Clypeus reduced to a narrow rectangular lamella protruding from the middle of the anterior border, continuing the frontal ridges. This lamella ends in two small blunt triangular denticles, sometimes one or both eroded, its width and length smaller than the distance between the antennal sockets. Frontal ridges present and not fused, laterobasally rounded into a low vertical triangle; parafrontal ridges present but weak, with a small apical tooth pointing upwards.</p> <p>Pronotum convex and propodeum flat in lateral view; transverse mesopleural groove and mesometapleural suture present but not deeply impressed. Propodeal declivity slightly convex, encircled by a well-developed ridge. Femora and tibiae with its apical half swollen.</p> <p>Head, pronotum, legs, scapes and gaster glassy smooth, remainder of mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole alutaceus to reticulated, sometimes longitudinally rugulose on the mesopleurae.</p> <p>This group seems to be closely related to the decolor group, as they share similar habitus and dentition, but the basal half of the mandibles differs from any other species worldwide.</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA00A1478FD1AE6F3FA862857	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA0091479FDE0E2B0FA982FFC.text	2C74010FA0091479FDE0E2B0FA982FFC.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus popeyei Gómez 2022	<div><p>Aenictus popeyei sp. nov.</p> <p>Zoobank: 79E1D857-37BC-4202-8E57-57B94561C7E5</p> <p>(Figs 1 E, 26 A–E, 27)</p> <p>Holotype worker, CAMEROON: • Subdiv. de Betare-Oya, Garoua-Boulayi VII.19-22.49 (Borys Malkin) (1w) [CASENT0810234] CASC.</p> <p>Paratype workers: • same series (5 pins, 1w each) [CASENT0810235, CASENT0840000 to CASENT0840003].</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. A. popeyei sp. nov. is unmistakable with its globose, expanded mandibles and wide heads (CI~110, the widest in the Afrotropical region).</p> <p>DESCRIPTION (Figs 1 E, 26 A–E). WORKER HL: HL: 0.75 [0.72-0.79]; HW: 0.84 [0.78-0.89]; SL: 0.57 [0.53-0.59]; WL: 1.26 [1.2-1.35]; PL: 0.29 [0.25-0.31]; PH: 0.23 [0.20-0.25]; PPL: 0.22 [0.20-0.25]; PPH: 0.20 [0.18-0.22]; CS: 0.8 [0.75-0.84]; CI: 111 [108-115]; SIL: 75 [72- 78]; SIW: 67 [64-72]; WL/HW: 150 [144-156]; PI: 123 [113-133]; PPI: 108 [100-119]; CSR: 112; (n=15).</p> <p>With the characters defined for the popeyei group and: scape moderately long, reaching the three quarters of the head when laid back (SIL~75). All funicular segments longer than wide, the apical more than twice longer than wide; the last four widening to the apical. Head wider than long (CI~110), widest at mandibular insertions or slightly above and narrowing to the occipital line, this apical vertex a straight line, clearly shorter than the line at mandible insertions. Ventrolateral margin developed, extending ventrally to its medial line.</p> <p>Mandibles very characteristic, massive, almost as big as the rest of the head; armed with one long sharp apical tooth followed by a subapical tooth; the medial section clearly concave, followed by a thickened basal half, circular in shape surrounded by a thin, sharp cutting edge that continues basally. In lateral view, this basal half clearly protrudes the apical half.</p> <p>Petiole subsessile with anterolateral and anterodorsal carina present, dorsolateral carina absent; propodeal dome elliptical in lateral view, the anterior face straight sloping 45 degrees aprox. Posterior face vertical. Postpetiole subrectangular with near vertical anterior and posterior face, forming both a square rounded angle with the dorsal surface. Subpetiolar process developed, elliptical to triangular, rounded and oriented downwards or slightly backwards; lamella present, variable but usually developed.</p> <p>Mandibles rugulose with smooth patches in some individuals, especially in the distal rounded half; scapes, head, pronotum mesonotum, gaster, dorsal surfaces of petiole and postpetiole and legs glassy smooth. Mesopleurae and pronotum strongly reticulated; metapleurae irregularly and horizontally rugulose; remainder of petiole and posteptiole reticulated to alutaceus. Head and mesosoma dark reddish brown. Antennae, gaster, coxae and legs yellow to yellowish brown. Whole body covered with white setae unequal in length, from short to very long, these clearly longer than petiole height; erect to semierect in scape, funiculus, mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole; decumbent to semierect on abdomen. No pubescence noted.</p> <p>DERIVATIO NOMINIS. The species name popeyei is Latinized noun in the genitive case, named after the cartoon character Popeye. It can’t be denied that mandibles do look alike.</p> <p>OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. NIGERIA: • Ibadan 12/02/1953 (Brown, R. E.) (1w) [NHMUK012849207] BMNH • Ibadan 26/02/1958 (Sudd, J. M.) (1w each) [NHMUK012849208, NHMUK012849209] BMNH • Ibadan (IITA) 05/06/1981 (Russell-Smith, A.) (6 pins, 3w each) [NHMUK012849212, NHMUK012849214 to NHMUK012849217] BMNH • same data (2w) [NHMUK012849213] • Gambari, Black Pod Project 04/12/1975 (Taylor, B.). Bare gd. (1w) [NHMUK012849210] BMNH • Gambari 04/06/1969 (Bolton, B.) (1w), leaf litter [NHMUK012849211] BMNH.</p> <p>DISTRIBUTION. Central African species, known from Nigeria and Cameroon (Fig. 27).</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA0091479FDE0E2B0FA982FFC	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA00F147EFD1EE737FE0D2F82.text	2C74010FA00F147EFD1EE737FE0D2F82.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus Emery 1901	<div><p>rixator species group</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. This is a convenience group, and a clear candidate to be split up when more data are available.</p> <p>Small, yellow species with linear mandibles and almost parallel sides closing against the clypeus. This very reduced, transverse to almost absent pronotum and mesonotum forming almost a straight line; mesopropodeal suture present dorsally but not deeply impressed. Femora and tibiae with its apical half swollen. Overall sculpture glassy smooth.</p> <p>Species in this group could be mistaken by its size and habitus with minima workers in the mariae complex, but can be separated by the linear mandibles and absence of denticulated clypeus. Its heads are also less elongated (CI~90 against CI~80) for the same HW range (~0.40) in the mariae group.</p> <p>OVERVIEW. The difference between A. rixator (Fig. 30 A–D) and A. mentu (Fig. 28 A–D) is quite straightforward as the first has three mandibular teeth and a clearly defined propodeal ridge, and the second lacks the propodeal ridge and has a big apical tooth followed by three smaller denticles.</p> </div>	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA00F147EFD1EE737FE0D2F82	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA00F147FFDCAE59FFAE62DBF.text	2C74010FA00F147FFDCAE59FFAE62DBF.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus mentu Weber 1942	<div><p>Aenictus mentu Weber, 1942</p> <p>(Figs 28 A–D, 29)</p> <p>Aenictus mentu WEBER, 1942: 40, fig. 2 (w.)</p> <p>Syntype, SOUTH SUDAN: Equatoria Region, Imatong Mountains (Neal A. Weber) 24 Jul- 5 Aug. 1939. (1w) [MCZC: ENT:26131] MCZC [Material seen on web].</p> <p>The type material is located at the MCZC, but it wasn’t available for examination for this study. Also, no other specimens were found in any of the major museum collections that provided access or material loans. I have provisionally placed this species in the same group as A. rixator due to measurements from the type images (HW~0.40, CI~90), habitus, clypeal shape and mandibles. Based on paucity of material and the limited image quality, presently I have to refrain from offering a more accurate diagnosis or description until the types can be analyzed in detail.</p> <p>OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. Known only from the type series.</p> <p>DISTRIBUTION. North-East Africa, known only from the Type location in South Sudan (Fig. 29).</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA00F147FFDCAE59FFAE62DBF	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA00D147DFDCCE3F7FD372B72.text	2C74010FA00D147DFDCCE3F7FD372B72.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus rixator Forel 1901	<div><p>Aenictus rixator Forel, 1901</p> <p>(Figs 1 H, 30 A–D, 31)</p> <p>Aenictus rixator Forel, in EMERY, 1901: 48 (w.)</p> <p>Holotype, SOUTH AFRICA: Natal VII-915 (Wroughton) (1w) MHNG [CASENT0907030, Material seen].</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. Its size, short scapes, overall aspect, colour and distribution could suggest the species in the mariae species complex as the closest relatives, but can be separated from them by the absence of a row of triangular teeth at the clypeus, the linear long mandibles (triangular in the mariae complex), with reduced dentition (three teeth against one apical and 4-8 denticles) and the presence of a clearly defined propodeal ridge.</p> <p>DESCRIPTION (Figs 1 H, 30 A–D). WORKER. HL: 0.44; HW: 0.4; SL: 0.26; WL: 0.67; PL: 0.16; PH: 0.12; PPL: 0.12; PPH: 0.11; CS: 0.42; CI: 90; SIL: 60; SIW: 66; WL/HW: 166; PI: 133; PPI: 109 (n=1).</p> <p>With the characters defined for the rixator group and: short scapes, slightly surpassing the middle of the head when laid back (SIL~60). Funicular segments wider than long, preapical subquadrate, apical more than twice longer than wide. Head longer than wide (CI~90), subrectangular, slightly wider at its middle, occipital line straight. Ventrolateral margin present but weak, not extending ventrally. Mandibles armed with three teeth.</p> <p>Frontal ridges present, almost fused at its middle section and diverging again apically, its distal section elevated forming a low ridge overhanging from clypeus; parafrontal ridges present but very weak. Propodeal ridge present and clearly demarcated laterally and dorsally. Petiole with anterolateral, anterodorsal and dorsolateral carina present, the latter weak and discernible as a darker straight line in lateral and dorsal view reaching the spiracle; petiolar dome elliptical in lateral view, the anterior face straight sloping 45 degrees aprox. Posterior face vertical. Postpetiole subrectangular with vertical anterior and posterior face, the anterior angle with the dorsal surface obtuse and the posterior square, both rounded.</p> <p>Subpetiolar process present but poorly developed, as a quarter of ellipse with its anterior face vertical and straight, without lamella, its size about the size of the prora.</p> <p>Yellow to light brown, becoming yellowish red at the pronotum, sutures and patches of the head. Glassy smooth overall. Mesopleurae, pronotum and lateral zones of petiole and postpetiole faintly and patchy alutaceus to faintly reticulated.</p> <p>Whole body covered with yellowish, fine setae, smaller than petiole height; semi erect to decumbent in mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole; decumbent to adpresed on scape, abdomen, and lateral margins of head. No pubescence noted.</p> <p>OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. Known only from the Type specimen.</p> <p>DISTRIBUTION. South Africa (Fig. 31).</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA00D147DFDCCE3F7FD372B72	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA00C1462FDE3E6ECFDE328A2.text	2C74010FA00C1462FDE3E6ECFDE328A2.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus	<div><p>rotundatus species group</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. Species with triangular mandibles which close tightly against clypeus and with a developed sharp apical tooth followed by a series of denticles (4–10).</p> <p>Other common characters are: Clypeus a row of 8–10 triangular denticles, sometimes hardly visible when mandibles closed. Parafrontal ridges weakly developed but present, never extending from the antennal sockets, visible as a faint striae in lateral view and weakly dentiform basally. Femora and tibiae with its apical half swollen. Setation variable, but with dorsopropodeum always bare, except adjacent to mesopropodeal suture and propodeal declivity. Workers may present wide variation in size, even with a marked allometry (e. g. mariae complex).</p> <p>OVERVIEW. This group gathers eleven species. Numerical analysis for SIL shows a bimodal distribution, which I have arbitrarily used to divide the group in two species complexes which are useful for identification purposes. The mariae complex gathers the four species with very short scapes (SIL &lt;57), while the rotundatus complex comprises the species with SIL&gt;60.</p> <p>Identification of minima workers may be difficult in some cases, and using major workers for this purpose is highly encouraged.</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA00C1462FDE3E6ECFDE328A2	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA0131462FDE9E2FFFADC2D22.text	2C74010FA0131462FDE9E2FFFADC2D22.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus Emery 1895	<div><p>mariae species complex</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. Yellow to light brown species, with very short scapes (46 &lt;SIL &lt;57) and small to medium size (0.28 &lt;HW &lt;0.69). Propodeal ridge always absent, though a thin dark line might be present in major workers, but never projecting as a shelf dorsally.</p> <p>OVERVIEW. This complex comprises four similar small yellowish species. Three are restricted to Southern Africa and Eastern Africa and present a marked allometry, with the major workers with more square heads (A. hitai sp. nov., A. mariae and A. steindachneri) and the fourth species A. boltoni sp. nov. is monomorphic and West African.</p> <p>Aenictus steindachneri presents the lateropropodeum covered with a short, white abundant pubescence, while is bare except for some isolated setae in the other three; A. hitai sp. nov. is the most sculptured species in the complex with its dorsopropodeum reticulated-punctuated (even in the minima workers), which is smooth in the rest of species. Aenictus boltoni sp. nov. and A. mariae are very similar species separable by minor differences in the metanotal suture and postpetiolar shape, also their distribution does not seem to overlap, with A. boltoni sp. nov. distributed in Western Africa and Congo basin and A. mariae restricted to Southern Africa.</p> </div>	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA0131462FDE9E2FFFADC2D22	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA0131460FDE7E77FFB2C2AD5.text	2C74010FA0131460FDE7E77FFB2C2AD5.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus boltoni Gómez 2022	<div><p>Aenictus boltoni sp. nov.</p> <p>Zoobank: 76FBB922-6240-4364-BFF6-E17EE57DFF38</p> <p>(Figs 32 A–D, 33)</p> <p>Holotype worker: NIGERIA: • Gambari 14/08/1969 (Bolton, B.) (1w) [NHMUK012849298] BMNH.</p> <p>Paratype workers: • same data, (2w each) [NHMUK012849294 to NHMUK012849297] BMNH; same data (1w) [NHMUK012849327] BMNH.</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. This species can be separated from the rest of the mariae complex species as dorsopropeum is mainly smooth (reticulated in A. hitai sp. nov.) and does not present the lateropropodeal pubescence characteristic of A. steindachneri. Separation from A. mariae minors as in the following table.</p> <p>This species does not present a marked allometry (CSR 114) as the other three species (CSR 131 for A. mariae and&gt;170 for A. hitai sp. nov. and A. steindachneri) and seems to have a smaller maximum size (HW &lt;0.42 against 0.52 for mariae or 0.69 for steindachneri), though this can be due to a lack of material as the four species have similar minimum sizes (HW&gt; 0.28 for hitai and&gt;0.36 for the rest).</p> <p>Also, this species seems to be distributed in West Africa, while the other three inhabit Southern and Western Africa and their distribution don’t seem to overlap.</p> <p>DESCRIPTION (Fig. 32 A–D). WORKER. HL: 0.46 [0.43-0.49]; HW: 0.37 [0.35-0.40]; SL: 0.25 [0.22-0.27]; WL: 0.64 [0.57-0.71]; PL: 0.16 [0.14-0.17]; PH: 0.11 [0.10-0.13]; PPL: 0.12 [0.11- 0.14]; PPH: 0.11 [0.10-0.13]; CS: 0.42 [0.39-0.44]; CI: 80 [75-82]; SIL: 53 [51-56]; SIW: 67 [63-71]; WL/HW: 171 [164-181]; PI: 138 [127-145]; PPI: 113 [107-127]; CSR: 114; (n=12).</p> <p>Monomorphic. Scapes short, just reaching the median line of the head when laid back (SIL~0.49). Funicular segments wider than long, the subapical quadrate, apical two and a half times longer than wide. Head elongated (CI~79) with convex lateral sides and slightly widest at the middle; occipital line straight with rounded corners. Frontal carinae small, not surpassing the torulus and fused between the antennal sockets. Frontal ridges developed distally and projecting over the clypeus in frontal view. Long, sharp apical tooth followed by an 4–5 smaller denticles, sometimes very eroded. Clypeus reduced to a row of 5 small conical denticles below the antennal insertions and much smaller, almost invisible minute denticles laterally.</p> <p>Propodeum and mesonotum weakly convex, propodeum flat; mesopropodeal suture clearly demarcated and visible both in lateral and dorsal views; mesonotum in dorsal view not forming a continuous surface with propodeum. Transverse mesopleural groove present. Mesometapleural suture present but very weak. Propodeal declivity flat; posterodorsal and posterolateral ridge absent.</p> <p>Petiole sessile with anterolateral ridges present but very weak, anterodorsal, posterior and dorsolateral ridges absent. Petiolar dome low and rounded, subelliptical.</p> <p>Postpetiole with anterior and posterior vertical faces and horizontal dorsal surface, antero and postero dorsal angles right and rounded. Subpetiolar process small, elliptical with a lamella varying in size from minute to clearly developed, facing anteriorly.</p> <p>All body surfaces smooth and shining except for meso and metapleurae, petiole and postpetiole variable from alutaceus smooth in minima workers to the most common shagreenatereticulated; dorsal surfaces of petiole and postpetiole from smooth to weakly shagreenate; mandibles shagreened. Overall colour light brown with some individuals yellowish brown.</p> <p>Whole body except propodeal dorsum covered with short from erect to decumbent small white setae. Dorsum of propodeum bare except for its anterior and posterior borders. The length of the longer setae as petiolar height; setae on dorsal surface of head directed upwards; lateral sides of head with erect setae; scapes with scattered decumbent to semierect setae, shorter than scape width. No pubescence noted.</p> <p>DERIVATIO NOMINIS. The species name boltoni is Latinized noun in the genitive case, dedicated to Dr. Barry Bolton, who encouraged me to revise this genus and has always been extremely kind and helpful in my Afrotropical adventure.</p> <p>OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. GHANA: • Mole G. Res. 13/08/1971 (Gotwald) (2w) [NHMUK012849269] BMNH. IVORY COAST: • Lagunes, Lamto Scientific Reserve, 6.21508, -5.01844 09/07/2003. Pitfall (Kolo, Y.) (2w) [KY0087CI] YKPC.</p> <p>DISTRIBUTION. West Africa, known from Ivory Coast to West Nigeria (Fig. 33).</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA0131460FDE7E77FFB2C2AD5	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA0101467FD17E3F8FB2C2A39.text	2C74010FA0101467FD17E3F8FB2C2A39.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus hitai Gómez 2022	<div><p>Aenictus hitai sp. nov.</p> <p>Zoobank: 3F5DF2FF-03C8-452A-B32E-4B66E71C43A4</p> <p>(Figs 34 A–D, 35 A–D, 36)</p> <p>Holotype worker, KENYA: • Kajiado 20/09/1978 (Darlington, I.) (1w) [NHMUK012849036, top] BMNH.</p> <p>Paratype workers: • same data, (2w) [NHMUK012849036, middle, bottom], (9 pins, 3w each) [NHMUK012849307 to NHMUK012849315] BMNH.</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. This species can be separated from the rest of the mariae complex species due to defined dorsopropodeal sculpturation, similar to that in the mesopleurae and lateropropodeum. It is present even in the minor workers as an alutaceus reticula. The subpetiolar process is also quite specific, with very small (relative to petiolar dome) elliptic bulk and a poorly developed lamella. Some larger individuals may present a larger lamellae, similar to that present in A. mariae, but in these the sculpturation is always clearly reticulated, never smooth as in A. mariae or A. boltoni sp. nov.. Its dense setation is also quite distinct from the other three species in the group.</p> <p>DESCRIPTION (Figs 34 A–D, 35 A-D). WORKER. HL: 0.49 [0.37-0.60]; HW: 0.42 [0.28-0.56]; SL: 0.25 [0.17-0.32]; WL: 0.68 [0.50-0.87]; PL: 0.18 [0.13-0.23]; PH: 0.12 [0.09-0.17]; PPL: 0.13 [0.09-0.18]; PPH: 0.10 [0.07-0.15]; CS: 0.46 [0.32-0.58]; CI: 85 [77-93]; SIL: 51 [47-54]; SIW: 60 [54-66]; WL/HW: 161 [150-175]; PI: 148 [135-166]; PPI: 129 [118-149]; CSR: 178; (n=16).</p> <p>Polymorphic (CSR&gt;170). Head variable from elongate and rectangular in the minor workers (CI~78) to roundly quadrate with convex lateral sides and slightly widest at the middle in the major workers (CI~100). Occipital line straight. Scapes short, just reaching the median line of the head when laid back (SIL~0.52). Funicular segments wider than long, the subapical quadrate, apical about twice longer than wide. Frontal carinae small, not surpassing the torulus and fused between the antennal sockets. Frontal ridges developed distally and projecting over the clypeus in frontal view. Mandibles with a long, sharp apical tooth and 3–7 denticles.</p> <p>Almost flat in lateral view and subrectangular in dorsal view; mesopropodeal suture very weak with propodeum and metanotum almost forming a continuous line. Transverse mesopleural groove present. Mesometapleural suture present but very weak. Propodeal declivity flat, with posterodorsal and posterolateral ridge from present as a continuous line in major workers but weak, to absent in some minor workers with all intermediate forms present; posterodorsal ridge never projecting as a shelf in lateral view.</p> <p>Petiole sessile with anterolateral ridges present, anterodorsal and dorsolateral ridges absent. Petiolar dome with a short anterior face sloping at 60º approximately, anterodorsal angle rounded and obtuse, posterodorsal angle right, both rounded, dorsal face horizontal. Postpetiole with anterior and posterior vertical faces, and horizontal dorsal surface, both angles right and rounded. Both domes without carinae or ridges of any kind. Subpetiolar process developed and variable, with a bulky small elliptical process followed by a triangular lamella variable intranidally, usually present only in its anterior slope and directed forward, more or less developed, but always present.</p> <p>All body surfaces smooth and shining except for meso, metapleurae and propodeum variable from alutaceus smooth in minor workers to strongly reticulated-punctuated in some major workers. Propodeum dorsally with the same sculpturation than laterally. Mandibles from slightly to strongly shagreenate. Overall colour from light yellow to brown. As a general rule, smaller individuals are lighter and smoother than larger ones.</p> <p>Whole body except propodeal dorsum covered with a short decumbent to reclinated small white setae, very abundant. Dorsum of propodeum bare except for its anterior and posterior borders. The length of the setae smaller than petiole height. Another layer of longer, sparser erect setae present in upper half of head, mesosoma, metasoma and gaster, clearly longer than petiole height. Scapes and funiculus with decumbent to semierect pilosity, shorter than scape width. No pubescence noted.</p> <p>DERIVATIO NOMINIS. The species name hitai is Latinized noun in the genitive case, dedicated to Dr. Francisco Hita-Garcia, always encouraging and friendly, set aside his vast knowledge of Afrotropical Fauna.</p> <p>OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. MOZAMBIQUE: • Cabo Delgado, Namoto forest 35m 19/03/2016 (B.L. Fisher et al.). dry forest (3 pins, 1w each), ex soil [CASENT0777862 to CASENT0777864] CASC • Cabo Delgado, Parque Nacional Quirimbas, Mareja Reserve 240 m 26/02/2016 (B.L. Fisher et al.). miombo at base of inselberg (3 pins, 1w each), ex soil [CASENT0778949 to CASENT0778951] CASC; same data (2w) [CASENT0778952] CASC.</p> <p>DISTRIBUTION. Eastern African, known from Mozambique and Kenya (Fig. 36).</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA0101467FD17E3F8FB2C2A39	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA0161465FDC1E596FAB12D7F.text	2C74010FA0161465FDC1E596FAB12D7F.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus mariae Emery 1895	<div><p>Aenictus mariae Emery, 1895</p> <p>(Figs 37 A–D, 38)</p> <p>Aenictus mariae EMERY, 1895: 18, pl. 2, figs. 5–7 (w.)</p> <p>Syntype, SOUTH AFRICA: Transvaal, Makapan (Limpopo) (E. Simon) (1w). [CASENT0903760, seen on web] MSNG, Genoa, Italy.</p> <p>Aenictus mariae var. natalensis Forel, in EMERY, 1901: 49 (w.)</p> <p>Syntypes, SOUTH AFRICA: Natal (Haviland) 3 pins with 2w, 2w, and 1w MNHB [Examined]; Syntypes, same data (3 pins, 2w each) MHNG [Examined]; same data (17 pins, 3w each) MHNG [CASENT0907029, Examined]. Syn. nov.</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. This species can be separated from the rest of the mariae complex species as the dorsopropeum is mainly smooth (reticulated in A. hitai sp. nov.) and does not present the lateropropodeal pubescence characteristic to A. steindachneri. Separation of minors from A. boltoni sp. nov. can be difficult at first sight, but the petiole is clearly lower (PPI: 138 [130- 150], PPI: 113 [107-127] in A. boltoni sp. nov.) and hemispherical while it’s subquadrate with straight parallel anterior and posterior sides in A. boltoni sp. nov. The metapropodeal suture is almost non-existent in A. mariae minors but clearly visible in A. boltoni sp. nov., both laterally and dorsally.</p> <p>DESCRIPTION (Fig. 37 A–D). WORKER HL: 0.49 [0.42-0.55]; HW: 0.41 [0.34-0.49]; SL: 0.25 [0.21-0.3]; WL: 0.65 [0.53-0.77]; PL: 0.17 [0.15-0.20]; PH: 0.12 [0.09-0.14]; PPL: 0.13 [0.11- 0.15]; PPH: 0.09 [0.08-0.11]; CS: 0.45 [0.38-0.52]; CI: 83 [78-88]; SIL: 52 [47-55]; SIW: 62 [58-66]; WL/HW: 159 [154-167]; PI: 143 [121-166]; PPI: 138 [130-150]; CSR: 137; (n=16).</p> <p>Scapes short, just reaching the median line of the head when laid back (SIL~0.52). Funicular segments wider than long, the subapical quadrate, apical about twice longer than wide. Head variable from elongate and rectangular in the minor workers, slightly wider at major workers (CI 77-88). Occipital line straight. Frontal carinae small, not surpassing the torulus and fused between the antennal sockets. Frontal ridges developed distally and projecting over the clypeus in frontal view. Long, sharp apical tooth followed by 3–5 smaller triangular denticles.</p> <p>Almost flat in lateral view, and subrectangular in dorsal view, mesopropodeal suture very weak, with propodeum and metanotum almost forming a continuous line. Transverse mesopleural groove present. Mesometapleural suture present but very weak. Propodeal declivity flat; propodeal ridge absent, sometimes a very faint line present in biggest workers.</p> <p>Petiole sessile with anterolateral ridges present, anterodorsal and dorsolateral ridges absent. Petiolar dome elliptical with a short anterior face vertical. Postpetiole rounded, semispherical. Both domes without carinae or ridges of any kind. Subpetiolar process developed and variable, with a bulky rounded rectangular to elliptical process followed by a triangular lamellae oriented from forward to downward. Lamella very variable intranidally, from a very small triangle present in the anterior face of the process and pointing forward to covering the whole process and pointing downwards.</p> <p>All body surfaces smooth and shining except for the slightly punctuated meso and metapleurae. Mandibles smooth and concolorous with head. Overall colour from light yellow to light brown.</p> <p>Whole body covered with a short decumbent to reclinated small white setae. Dorsum of propodeum bare except for its anterior and posterior borders. The length of the setae smaller than petiole height. Another layer of longer, sparser erect setae present in upper half of head, mesosoma, metasoma and gaster, clearly longer than petiole height. Scapes and funiculus with decumbent to semierect pilosity, shorter than scape width. No pubescence noted.</p> <p>OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. SOUTH AFRICA: • Natal (Haviland) (1 pin with 2w, 4 pins 3w each) MHNG • Free State Province, Bloemfontein Botanical Garden 1400m, -29.05167, 26.21333 24/10/2011. hand collected (L. Almeida). bushveld &amp; riparian vegetation (1w) [CASENT0764134] FHGC; (8 pins, 1w each) [CASENT0790582 to CASENT0790589] • Mpumalanga, Songimuelo NR, Kromdraai Camp. Komati River 800 m, -26.04278, 31.00139 19–23/03/2001. Pitfalls (D. Ubick) (1w) [CASENT0006346] CASC • same data (3 pins, 1w each) [CASENT0006348], [CASENT0009118], [CASENT0009121] • Zolouland (Trogarth) (2w) MNHB. ZIMBABWE: • Bulawayo (Arnold) (1w) MHNG • same data (3w) MHNG • Burthorne Mine (Bulawayo) 17/11/1912 (Arnold, G.) (2w) [NHMUK012849267] BMNH.</p> <p>DISTRIBUTION. Southern African, ranging to the North to Southern Zimbabwe (Fig. 38).</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA0161465FDC1E596FAB12D7F	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA01B146BFDA2E3F7FA902D7F.text	2C74010FA01B146BFDA2E3F7FA902D7F.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus steindachneri Mayr 1901	<div><p>Aenictus steindachneri Mayr, 1901</p> <p>(Figs 39 A–D, 40)</p> <p>Aenictus steindachneri MAYR, 1901: 2 (w.)</p> <p>Syntypes, SOUTH AFRICA: Orange [CASENT0911440] (4w) NHMB [Examined]; Syntype, SOUTH AFRICA: Free State, Reddesburg (1w) [CASENT0919642] NMHW: Coll. Mayr [Examined]; Syntypes, SOUTH AFRICA: Free State, Orange (Arnold) (6w) MHNG: Coll. Forel [Examined].</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. This species can be separated from the rest of the group as it presents a quite dense white pubescence directed backwards at the meso and especially at the metapleurae. The other species may present some isolated small setae, but never becoming pubescent in appearance. It also presents the most developed propodeal process of the four species in this complex.</p> <p>Its general shape, size and colour might resemble A. rotundatus, but can be separated due to its shorter scapes (SIL&gt;60 for rotundatus) and cited pubescence. There is a series of 8 workers at MNHW from Reddesburg, identified by E. Mayr as types for “ A. rotundatus laevigatus ”, probably part of the type series for A. steindachneri, but not labelled as such.</p> <p>DESCRIPTION (Fig. 39 A–D). WORKER. HL: 0.59 [0.43-0.74]; HW: 0.51 [0.36-0.65]; SL: 0.31 [0.20-0.38]; WL: 0.82 [0.56-1.03]; PL: 0.20 [0.14-0.25]; PH: 0.17 [0.12-0.20]; PPL: 0.17 [0.11- 0.22]; PPH: 0.14 [0.10-0.16]; CS: 0.55 [0.39-0.70]; CI: 86 [79-93]; SIL: 52 [46-57]; SIW: 60 [53-66]; WL/HW: 159 [147-177]; PI: 122 [105-133]; PPI: 121 [100-138]; CSR: 176; (n=21).</p> <p>Polymorphic (CSR&gt;170). Scapes short, just reaching the median line of the head when laid back (SL/HL~0.55). Funicular segments wider than long, the apical about twice longer than wide. Head rectangular, longer than wide (CI~85), slightly widest at the middle. Occipital line straight. Mandibles with a long, sharp apical tooth and 5–7 smaller denticles, sometimes eroded seeming edentate. Frontal ridges present fused in the minor workers and touching each other in major workers.</p> <p>Major workers with pro and mesonotum slightly convex, propodeum flat and slightly elevated in the major workers, with a discernible mesopropodeal suture and anterior sloping face; minima workers with flat mesosoma in profile, mesopropodeal suture absent, and all the spectrum in the middle. Transverse mesopleural groove not present. Mesometapleural suture present but very weak. Propodeal declivity weakly concave with propodeal ridges absent; a weak faint line can be present in major workers laterally.</p> <p>Petiole with anterolateral ridges present, anterodorsal and dorsolateral ridges absent. Petiolar and postpetiolar domes low, rounded in lateral view, subrectangular, anteriorly vertical and posteriorly rounded. Subpetiolar process strongly developed, with a bulky elliptical process followed by a big triangular to elliptical lamellae oriented forward-downward, lamella becoming half the total process height.</p> <p>All body surfaces smooth and shining except for mandibles with some feeble rugulae at the base and sometimes a small carina at its basal half not covering the whole mandibular length; meso and metapleurae from alutaceus to reticulate, spaces inside reticulation smooth; lateral sides of petiole and postpetiole from smooth to alutaceus. Overall colour bright yellow to yellow, punctate zones and sutures darker.</p> <p>Decumbent to semierect white setae present, including head, scapes and legs. Dorsum of propodeum bare except for its anterior and posterior borders. The setae variable in length, the longest comparable to petiole height. Scapes and funiculus with decumbent to semierect pilosity, the longest setae on scape clearly longer than maximum scape width; meso and metapleurae covered with a dense white short pubescence directed backwards.</p> <p>OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. SOUTH AFRICA: • Free State, Orange (por Koruwoiko') (2W) NHMB • Free State, Reddesburg (7 pins, 1w each; 1 pin 1w) NMHW (probably Syntypes, not labelled as such, see note above) • KwaZulu-Natal, Natal (Havilland) (2w) [NHMUK012849268] BMNH. ZIMBABWE: • Bulawayo 01/01/1912 (Arnold, G.) (4w) [NHMUK012849254] BMNH • same data (6w) [NHMUK 012849261] BMNH.</p> <p>DISTRIBUTION. Southern African, known from South Africa and Zimbabwe (Fig. 40).</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA01B146BFDA2E3F7FA902D7F	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA0191468FDF0E3F7FC532A5D.text	2C74010FA0191468FDF0E3F7FC532A5D.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus	<div><p>rotundatus species complex</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. With the rotundatus group characteristics and SIL&gt; 57. Promesonotum always rounded and meeting the flat propodeum at an angle.</p> <p>OVERVIEW. Seven species in this complex. A. congolensis and A. jacki sp. nov. present decumbent to reclinated pilosity while the rest have erect to semierect pilosity. Both can be differentiated via SIL (57–61 for jacki and 68–74 for congolensis). A. nyuyi sp. nov. has consistently longer scapes than the other four species (SIL&gt; 80 against SIL &lt;75).</p> <p>Aenictus weissi always presents a developed propodeal ridge, even in the minors, and the subpetiolar process is always small and without lamella, while the other three do not present a propodeal ridge, but a thin linear ridge at most (in A. guineensis) and the three present developed subpetiolar processes with developed lamellae.</p> <p>The rest are hardly differentiable species and need some subtle analysis. A. ugaduwensis sp. nov. is stouter and with square heads while A. guineensis and A. rotundatus can be hard to separate and discriminant analysis can be necessary (details in key and in page 65). Also, A. rotundatus seems to be distributed in Southern and Eastern Africa, while A. guineensis and A. ugaduwensis sp. nov. have been found in Western Africa.</p> </div>	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA0191468FDF0E3F7FC532A5D	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA018146EFDBBE3F8FA9528FD.text	2C74010FA018146EFDBBE3F8FA9528FD.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus : WILSON 1964	<div><p>Aenictus congolensis Santschi, 1911</p> <p>(Figs 41 A–D, 42)</p> <p>Aenictus rixator var. congolensis SANTSCHI, 1911: 207 (w.)</p> <p>Syntype, GABON: Mayomba. (1w) [CASENT0911420] NHMB [Examined]; Syntype, CAMEROON, Grand Batanga (1w) [CASENT0911445] NHMB [Examined].</p> <p>Aenictus congolensis Santschi; SANTSCHI, 1917: 277 (q.) [Raised to species]</p> <p>Syntype Queen, GABON (F. Faure) (1Q, 2w) [CASENT0911419] NHMB [Examined]; Syntypes same data (18w) NHMB [Examined]; Syntypes same data (17w) MHNG [Examined].</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. Identification of A. congolensis is quite straightforward in the rotundatus group due to its developed propodeal ridge and sparse, adpressed white setae and long, digitiform subpetiolar process. The other two species with developed propodeal ridge (A. nyuyi sp. nov. and A. weissi) present erect to suberect setae and poorly developed subpetiolar process.</p> <p>Mesosomal sculpture may be quite variable among individuals, varying from completely and deeply reticulated to individuals with glassy dorsal mesosoma, petiole and postpetiole.</p> <p>DESCRIPTION (Fig. 41 A–D). WORKER. HL: 0.57 [0.51-0.62]; HW: 0.51 [0.46-0.56]; SL: 0.40 [0.35-0.43]; WL: 0.91 [0.79-1.01]; PL: 0.22 [0.19-0.25]; PH: 0.16 [0.15-0.18]; PPL: 0.18 [0.16- 0.20]; PPH: 0.13 [0.12-0.14]; CS: 0.54 [0.48-0.59]; CI: 89 [85-94]; SIL: 70 [67-74]; SIW: 78 [72-85]; WL/HW: 178 [164-191]; PI: 134 [126-143]; PPI: 135 [123-153]; CSR: 122; (n=11).</p> <p>Scapes relatively long, almost reaching three quarters of head (SIL~70). Funicular segments 1- 2 slightly longer than wide, 3–8 subquadrate, apical about twice longer than wide. Head rectangular, longer than wide (CI~90), convex laterally and widest at the middle. Occipital line straight to slightly concave. Ventrolateral margin present, weak, continuing to one third of its length. Mandibles long, with a sharp apical tooth, a preapical tooth and 5-10 smaller denticles. Clypeus a row of 10–12 conical teeth, clearly visible and longer than wide, the two central between the antennal sockets smaller. Frontal ridges present, not projecting frontally, fused between the antennal sockets and diverging apically.</p> <p>Pronotum and mesonotum weakly convex, propodeum flat, mesopropodeal suture weak. Transverse mesopleural groove not present. Mesometapleural suture present but very weak; propodeal ridge developed and projecting as a horizontal shelf in dorsal view; propodeal declivity concave.</p> <p>Petiole subsessile with anterolateral and anterodorsal ridges present, dorsolateral ridge absent. Petiole with an anterior slope a quarter of ellipse, dorsal slope flat and vertical posteriorly, posterodorsal angle straight, not rounded. Postpetiole rounded, with a vertical posterior face, without carinae or ridges of any kind. Subpetiolar process developed with a bulky ellipsoidal process longer than high, followed by a subrectangular rounded lamella oriented 45 degrees forward.</p> <p>Head, legs and gaster glassy smooth; mandibles finely horizontally rugulose, scapes and funiculus punctuated, shagreened; mesosoma variable, from completely reticulated (including pronotum) to individuals with pronotum, dorsum of mesonotum, petiole and postpetiole smooth; mesopleurae, propodeum and lateral sides of petiole and postpetiole always reticulated. Overall colour brown to dark brown, sometimes slightly lighter at gaster and legs.</p> <p>Short, adpressed white setae, oriented backwards, present at head, dorsum of pronotum petiole, postpetiole and gaster. No pubescence noted.</p> <p>OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: • Res. Dzanga-Shanga, 12,7 km 326º NW Bayanga 370m, 3, 16.2 10-15/05/2001. sifted litter (B.L. Fisher). rainforest (1w), leaf mold, rotten wood [CASENT0400001] CASC • Gabon, Samkito (F. Faure) (3w) [MRACFOR000001] MRAC. REPUBLIC OF CONGO: • Congo, 1923 (A. Théry) (1w) [EY19929] MNHN. GABON: • Samkito (F. Faure) (3w) [MRACFOR000001] MRAC. ZAMBIA: • Central, Lusaka, Leopard Hill, Kapuka Farm 1300 m, -12.55483, 30.29567 30/11/2005 (B.L. Fisher et al.). miombo woodland (1w), ex soil [CASENT0066799] CASC.</p> <p>DISTRIBUTION. Central Africa and Congo Basin, from Cameroon to Zambia (Fig. 42).</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA018146EFDBBE3F8FA9528FD	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA01F1411FDA2E660FB1C2BE9.text	2C74010FA01F1411FDA2E660FB1C2BE9.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus guineensis Santschi 1924	<div><p>Aenictus guineensis Santschi, 1924</p> <p>(Figs 1 A, 2 A, C, 43 A–D, 44 A–E, 51)</p> <p>Aenictus rotundatus st. guineensis SANTSCHI, 1924: 204, fig. 7 (w.)</p> <p>Syntype, GUINEA: Kakulima (Silvestri) (1w) [CASENT0911438] NHMB [Examined]; Syntype, same data (1w, beheaded) NHMB [Examined].</p> <p>Aenictus guineensis TAYLOR et al., 2018: 10 [Raised to species]. Status confirmed here. Check below for discussion.</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. Its sparse, erect, long setae, the presence of a developed subpetiolar process and the lack of a developed propodeal ridge separates this species from the rest of the species present in the rotundatus complex, except for A. ugaduwensis sp. nov. and A. rotundatus, and separation is feasible only via index analysis. It is more slender and presents more rectangular heads than A. ugaduwensis sp. nov. (details under that species).</p> <p>Aenictus guineensis is the western counterpart of the Southern and Eastern African A. rotundatus, and separating individuals can be difficult, especially with small, isolated individuals. TAYLOR et al., (2018) raised this form to species, but in my opinion with wrong or not detailed enough arguments to do so. I do respect his prevalence in this matter, though.</p> <p>For more detailed information see discussion below.</p> <p>There are some characteristics that may separate series of workers, but it’s a matter of comparison and very variable among individuals. Some of these for A. guineensis are a more developed propodeal ridge (but as a thin line at most in larger individuals), smoother mandibles (which can become shagreened in the most sculpted A. rotundatus), more rectangular rounded subpetiolar process (against more shark-finned), slightly longer scapes and relatively more elongated petiole.</p> <p>Clear separation can be obtained via index analysis (details in key and in page 65).</p> <p>The type material [CASENT0911438] presents two labels, as A. rotundatus v. guineensis and as A. guineensis.</p> <p>DESCRIPTION (Figs 1 A, 2 A, 2 C, A–D, 44 A–E). WORKER. HL: 0.63 [0.51-0.76]; HW: 0.54 [0.42-0.67]; SL: 0.45 [0.32-0.55]; WL: 0.98 [0.76-1.19]; PL: 0.24 [0.18-0.28]; PH: 0.17 [0.13- 0.20]; PPL: 0.18 [0.12-0.22]; PPH: 0.16 [0.12-0.21]; CS: 0.59 [0.46-0.71]; CI: 86 [80-90]; SIL: 70 [62-75]; SIW: 81 [77-86]; WL/HW: 179 [172-187]; PI: 137 [129-147]; PPI: 115 [100-128]; CSR: 152; (n=28).</p> <p>With the characteristics of the rotundatus species complex and: scapes relatively long, almost reaching three quarters of the head (SL/HL~70). Funicular segments slightly longer than wide, the last three engrossing to the apical, which is about twice longer than wide. Head rectangular, longer than wide (CI~86), convex laterally and widest at the middle. Occipital line straight to slightly convex. Ventrolateral margin present, continuing behind the head to one fourth of its length. Mandibles triangular; with a long, sharp apical tooth followed by 5–6 triangular denticles. Clypeus a row of 6–10 conical teeth, clearly visible and longer than wide, decreasing to the sides, sometimes eroded. Frontal ridges present, not projecting frontally and not fused between the antennal sockets.</p> <p>Pronotum convex, smoothly running into the straight mesonotum; mesopropodeal suture present and visible both laterally and dorsally, concave and meeting the propodeum at an angle; this with a very reduced but discernible anterior slope and elevated over the mesonotum; propodeal shape an elongated hexagon dorsally, widest in its anterior third over the propodeal spiracle, its sides often defined by weak rugulae. Transverse mesopleural groove not present. Mesometapleural suture present but very weak; propodeal ridge complete and present, except in the minima workers, where it can be reduced and faint; propodeal declivity concave below that line.</p> <p>Petiole sessile with anterolateral ridges present, anterodorsal and dorsolateral ridges absent. Petiole ellipsoidal, rounded, anteriorly almost flat at 45 degrees and vertical posteriorly. Postpetiole subrectangular with rounded angles and vertical anterior and posteriorly, the posterior higher and less rounded, without carinae or ridges of any kind. Subpetiolar process developed with a bulky ellipsoidal process, followed by a lamellae variable in size from almost non-existent to about the size of the bulky process, rounded and pointing downwards.</p> <p>Head, scapes, pronotum, mesonotum, dorsum of petiole and postpetiole, gaster and legs, smooth and shining; mandibles mostly smooth, variable rugulose in its upper half; propodeum, lateropetiole and lateropostpetiole alutaceus to reticulated, matt. Overall colour light brown to brown, slightly lighter at gaster and apex of funiculus.</p> <p>Decumbent white setae, oriented backwards, present at head, dorsum of pronotum petiole, postpetiole and gaster. Dorsum of propodeum bare except for its posterior border, with 2–4 long erect setae. A few scattered, long, white, erect setae present at pronotum, petiole, postpetiole and gastral tergites, longer than petiole height. Scapes with white unequally long semierect setae, clearly longer than scape width.</p> <p>SEPARATION BETWEEN A. guineensis AND A. rotundatus.</p> <p>Aenictus guineensis was raised to species in TAYLOR et al. (2018:10). The reasons given were: ‘This species is some 75-80% of the size of the Eastern Africa species A. rotundatus and has a notably more rectangular head and a flatter profile to the petiole among other differences.’</p> <p>Fig. 45 and Fig. 46 show the measurements done on 28 workers of A. guineensis and 44 of A. rotundatus including types of both species. Regarding size and head shape (HW/HL), no significant difference can be appreciated. Also, the petiolar profile is similarly flat (Figs 43 C, 44 C, 57 C). If ‘flatter profile’ does not refer to shape but to height, PH by itself does not separate the species (Fig. 45 B), but is quite useful as an index (PI=PL/PH, Fig. 46A). Except for values between 125 and 135 it can separate both species easily, but for values between them a more thorough analysis is needed.</p> <p>Morphometric analysis was performed to assess if both species can be morphologically separated. PCA analysis did not produce any separation (Fig. 47). This result does not prove that they are the same species, just that PCA analysis cannot find an easy separation between them.</p> <p>A more sophisticated analysis (Nest Centered Cluster Analysis) was performed (CSOSZ &amp; FISHER, 2016). In this case, separation between Eastern African and Western African nests was possible in 100% of the cases (Fig. 48), so it seems to provide strong evidence that they can be two different morphological entities.</p> <p>Best Index Analysis was performed as in BAUR &amp; LEUENBERGER (2011) to find the couple of indexes that produce the best possible separation, which resulted to be PH/PL and WL/SL (Fig. 49). LDA and Leave One Out analysis performed with these new variables also produced a neat separation between both species (Fig. 50).</p> <p>The discriminant function 26.225*PH/PL+8.680WL/SL-40.524, separates both species in 100% of the tested samples, being positive for A. rotundatus and negative for A. guineensis. Based on these data, A. guineensis is considered here a good species.</p> <p>OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. IVORY COAST: • Comoe 06/2004 (Moretto). Savanne (4w), MSNM. NIGERIA: • 16 km N of Mokwa 04/10/1976 (Longhurst) (3 pins, 3w each) [NHMUK012849321 to NHMUK012849323] BMNH • Ibadan 10/10/1973 (Critchley) (1w) [NHMUK012849324] BMNH. SENEGAL: • Kedougou, Dande (2) (Dindefelo) 450m, 12.36583, -12.32917 29/09/2016. Hand (Gomez, K). Savannah (+20w in ethanol), Foraging under stone [KG03386] KGPC • same data (2 pins, 1 w each) [KGCOL00579, KGCOL00580] KGPC • same data (2w) [KGCOL00575] KGPC • same data (3w) [KG03386A06] AFRC • same data (3w) [KG03386A07] CASC • same data (2 pins 3w each) [KGCOL00576, KGCOL00577] KGPC • same data (4w) [KGCOL00578] KGPC • Neménick, Niokolo Koba 10 km W (Niokolo Koba NP), 13.0764, -12.78196 01/08-07/11/2018. Winkler (Diallo, A.). Savannah (1w) [KG03821B01] KGPC • Thies, Mboro 2m, 15.14438, -16.86874 06/09/2018. Hand (Menchetti, M.). Cultives nr. savannah (2w), Foraging [KGCOL 00574] KGPC.</p> <p>DISTRIBUTION. West Africa, known from Senegal to West Nigeria (Fig. 51).</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA01F1411FDA2E660FB1C2BE9	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA0601417FD16E505FBBA2AAC.text	2C74010FA0601417FD16E505FBBA2AAC.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus jacki Gómez 2022	<div><p>Aenictus jacki sp. nov.</p> <p>Zoobank: 0D38F4F1-D5EA-4FAB-A063-8F0631928270</p> <p>(Figs 52 A–D, 53)</p> <p>Holotype worker: MOZAMBIQUE: • Sofala, 3 km SE Chitengo, Gorongosa Nat. Park 40 m, - 19.00352, 34.37811; search (J. Longino); riparian moist forest (1w), in soil [JTL761548A02] BMNH.</p> <p>Paratype workers: • same series (1w) [CASENT0840034] FHGC; (1w) [CASENT0840036] CASC; (1w) [CASENT0840037] MHNG; (1w) [CASENT0840038] RBINS; (1w) [CASENT0840039] KGPC; (1w) [CASENT0840040] AFRC; (1w) [CASENT0840041] BMNH; (1w) [CASENT0840042] JTLC; (1w) [CASENT0840042] SAMC; (7w in ethanol) [JTL761548] JTLC.</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. Identification of A. jacki sp. nov. is quite straightforward in the rotundatus group due to its abundant reclined white setae. Only A. congolensis presents adpressed setae, but they are separable due to the much shorter scapes (SIL&lt;61 for A. jacki sp. nov., SIL&gt;68 for A. congolensis), the much sparser pilosity, more developed propodeal ridge and digitiform shape of subpetiolar process in A. congolensis.</p> <p>DESCRIPTION (Fig. 52 A–D). WORKER HL: 0.57 [0.52-0.62]; HW: 0.49 [0.46-0.52]; SL: 0.34 [0.30-0.36]; WL: 0.84 [0.78-0.89]; PL: 0.21 [0.20-0.22]; PH: 0.14 [0.13-0.15]; PPL: 0.15 [0.14- 0.16]; PPH: 0.13 [0.11-0.14]; CS: 0.53 [0.49-0.57]; CI: 85 [83-88]; SIL: 59 [57-60]; SIW: 69 [66-72]; WL/HW: 171 [165-175]; PI: 144 [133-153]; PPI: 120 [107-136]; CSR: 116; (n=8).</p> <p>With the characteristics of the rotundatus species complex and: scapes short, just passing the median line of the head when laid back (SL/HL~0.62). Funicular segments subquadrate, apical more than twice longer than wide. Head rectangular, longer than wide (CI~86), slightly widest at the middle. Occipital line slightly concave. Mandibles triangular with a long, sharp apical tooth, one small preapical tooth and 4–5 smaller denticles. Clypeus very reduced, with a row of very small, triangular teeth, which can be very eroded and difficult to discern when mandibles closed. Frontal ridges present, fused between the antennal sockets.</p> <p>Pronotum slightly convex, with the mesopropodeal suture very weak, concave, meeting the flat propodeum at an angle. This with a very reduced but discernible anterior slope and elevated over the mesonotum. Transverse mesopleural groove present and discernible as a darker line at its first anterior half. Mesometapleural suture present but weak. Propodeal declivity vertical and flat; propodeal ridge absent.</p> <p>Petiole sessile with anterolateral ridges present, anterodorsal and dorsolateral ridges absent. Petiolar node rounded, anteriorly a quarter of ellipse, small flat dorsal surface and almost vertical posteriorly; postpetiolar dome quadrate in lateral view with vertical anterior and posterior faces, the first one shorter, and horizontal dorsally, with rounded angles; subpetiolar process strongly developed, with a small elliptical process followed by a big triangular lamellae oriented downwards, the lamella as big or usually larger than the rest of the process.</p> <p>Mandibles smooth to patchly shagreened, sometimes with irregular small rugulae; head, scapes, pronotum, mesonotum, dorsopostpetiole, legs and gaster glassy smooth; mesopleurae and propodeum strongly reticulate, matt, with some short horizontal and incomplete rugulae laterally; petiole and lateroposteptiole alutaceus to reticulated. Overall colour light brown, punctate zones and sutures darker.</p> <p>Sides of head and mandibles with semierect to erect setae; rest of the head, except vertex, with decumbent to adpressed setae oriented outwards; vertex and surroundings to the occiput with slightly longer decumbent to semierect setae, oriented to the midline, creating a small dome; scapes with unequal decumbent to semierect setae, the longest longer than scape width; dorsal surfaces of pronotum, metanotum, petiole and postpetiole as well as the whole gaster densely covered with very abundant, semierect to reclinate setae, similar in length and shorter than propodeum height; most of the setae bent to the horizontal and pointing backwards; dorsopropodeum bare, posteropropodeum with scattered erect setae. Legs covered with semierect setae, shorter than maximum tibiae width; all setae white. No pubescence noted.</p> <p>DERIVATIO NOMINIS. The species name jacki is Latinized noun in the genitive case, dedicated to Dr. John Longino, who kindly sent me the material.</p> <p>OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. Known only from the type series.</p> <p>DISTRIBUTION. Eastern African, known from Mozambique (Fig. 53).</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA0601417FD16E505FBBA2AAC	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA0651415FDEDE3F7FB242DE1.text	2C74010FA0651415FDEDE3F7FB242DE1.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus nyuyi Gómez 2022	<div><p>Aenictus nyuyi sp. nov.</p> <p>Zoobank: 8400E204-F1F1-4272-92EB-EC2A02D9BA6F</p> <p>(Figs 54 A–D, 55)</p> <p>Holotype worker, SENEGAL: • Kedougou, Afia Forest (Dindefelo) 395m, 12.36497, -12.3049 15/07/2017. Winkler (Diallo, A.). Gallery For. (1w) [KGCOL00560] BMNH.</p> <p>Paratype workers: • same series (1w) [KGCOL00561] BMNH; (1w) [KGCOL00562] CASC; (1w) [KGCOL00563] MHNG; (1w) [KGCOL00564] RBINS; (1w) [KGCOL00565] FHGC; (1w) [KGCOL00566] SAMC; (1w) [KGCOL00567] AFRC; (1w) [KGCOL00568] YKPC; (1w) [KGCOL00569] KGPC.</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. Exceptionally long scapes (SIL&gt;80, against SIL&lt;75 for the rest of species in the group) makes this species easily recognizable. Also, the lack of developed subpetiolar process separates it from the rest of species in the rotundatus complex except for A. weissi, but these two are differentiable due to the absence of propodeal ridge against a well-developed one in A. weissi.</p> <p>DESCRIPTION (Fig. 54 A–D). WORKER HL: 0.61 [0.57-0.63]; HW: 0.51 [0.47-0.54]; SL: 0.49 [0.46-0.53]; WL: 0.98 [0.90-1.07]; PL: 0.22 [0.20-0.25]; PH: 0.15 [0.13-0.17]; PPL: 0.17 [0.15- 0.19]; PPH: 0.13 [0.12-0.15]; CS: 0.56 [0.52-0.59]; CI: 83 [82-85]; SIL: 81 [79-84]; SIW: 97 [95-100]; WL/HW: 191 [181-196]; PI: 149 [142-161]; PPI: 128 [121-133]; CSR: 112; (n=10).</p> <p>Scapes relatively long, surpassing three quarters of head (SIL ~ 80). Funicular segments elongated, apical twice and a half times longer than wide. Head rectangular, longer than wide (CI~83), convex laterally and widest at the middle. Occipital line straight to slightly convex. ventrolateral margin not developing ventrally.</p> <p>Mandibles triangular with a long, sharp apical tooth and 5–7 smaller denticles, usually eroded. Frontal ridges present, not fused and not projecting frontally.</p> <p>Pronotum convex, mesonotum a straight line, propodeum slightly elevated over mesonotum, with a small anterior straight face and flat dorsum, mesopropodeal suture weak. Transverse mesopleural and mesometapleural sutures present but weak; propodeal ridge present as a thin ridge, conspicuous; propodeal declivity concave.</p> <p>Petiole subsessile with anterolateral and anterodorsal ridges present, dorsolateral ridge present, weak and short, reaching the petiolar spiracle. Petiole with an anterior slope straight to rounded, dorsally rounded and vertical posteriorly, posterodorsal angle straight and rounded. Postpetiole subrectangular, rounded, with vertical anterior and posterior faces, without carinae or ridges. Subpetiolar process poorly developed as an ellipse clearly longer than high without lamella with a small triangular extension anteriorly, similar in size to prora.</p> <p>Mandibles finely horizontally rugulose, shagreened; whole body glassy smooth except for; the reticulated mesopleurae, propodeum, lateropetiole and lateropostpetiole from alutaceus to reticulated. Some workers with smooth propodeum patches dorsally and laterally. Some short rugulae may appear on meso-metapleural suture and continue on lateropropodeum. Overall colour light brown to brown.</p> <p>White, scattered, moderately long, decumbent to semierect setae present at head, scapes, dorsum of pronotum, petiole, postpetiole, gaster and legs. Dorsopropodeum bare. No pubescence noted.</p> <p>DERIVATIO NOMINIS. The species name nyuyi is a non-Latin noun used in apposition and is the Fula word for ‘small ant’.</p> <p>OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. SENEGAL: • Kedougou, Afia Forest (Dindefelo) 395m, 12.36497, -12.3049 15–21/11/2018. Winkler (Diallo, A.). Gallery For. (+20w) [KG03862] KGPC • same data (4w) [KGCOL00570] KGPC.</p> <p>DISTRIBUTION. West Africa, known only from South Eastern Senegal (Fig. 55).</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA0651415FDEDE3F7FB242DE1	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA06B1418FDD0E3F7FACB2E1C.text	2C74010FA06B1418FDD0E3F7FACB2E1C.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus rotundatus Mayr 1901	<div><p>Aenictus rotundatus Mayr, 1901</p> <p>(Figs 56 A–D, 57 A–D, 58)</p> <p>Aenictus rotundatus MAYR, 1901: 1 (w.)</p> <p>Syntype, SOUTH AFRICA Cape Town (1W) NHMB [Examined]; Syntype, same data (1w) NHMB [Examined]; Syntype, SOUTH AFRICA: Capeland 1895 (2w) MHNG: Coll. Forel [Examined]; Syntype, SOUTH AFRICA: Eastern Cape, Port Elizabeth (1w) [CASENT0919641] NMHW: Coll. Mayr [Examined].</p> <p>Aenictus rotundatus var. merwei SANTSCHI, 1932: 382 (w.)</p> <p>Syntype, SOUTH AFRICA: Montagu C. P. (Western Cape) 1.i.1920 (Merve) NHMB [CASENT0911439] [Material seen on web]; Syntypes, same data (4w) [NHMUK012849252] BMNH [Examined]. Syn. nov.</p> <p>Aenictus furibundus Arnold, 1959: 335, fig. 20 (w.)</p> <p>Syntypes, ZIMBABWE: Cashel, S. Rhodesia. 16.xi.1916 (Arnold, G.) (6w) [BMNH(E)1015732, CASENT0902688] BMNH [Examined]. Syn. nov.</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. The species as defined here is highly variable in subpetiolar process, colour and sculpture, and maybe candidate for being a cryptic species complex. Series from Kenya and Tanzania are lighter, smoother and most of the individuals do not present lamellae at the subpetiolar process, measurements and indexes fall nonetheless into the typical A. rotundatus series and clustering analysis fails to differentiate both series.</p> <p>Types of A. furibundus are identical to types of A. rotundatus. Curiously enough, ARNOLD (1959) uses A. eugenii for comparison, and not A. rotundatus. These two series are strongly reticulated and dark brown, except for some individuals with smooth dorsopropodeum, petiole and postpetiole. Types of the A. rotundatus var. merwei form are yellowish and much smoother, as stated in its description by SANTSCHI (1932). Nonetheless, as sculpture and subpetiolar lamella have a high degree of variation even in the same nest series, I’d rather consider them as a unique species until genetic data are available.</p> <p>Details for separation of the rest of species in the complex under A. guineensis, its sibling species.</p> <p>DESCRIPTION (Figs 56 A–D, 57 A–D). WORKER HL: 0.60 [0.45-0.77]; HW: 0.51 [0.37-0.71]; SL: 0.39 [0.26-0.51]; WL: 0.92 [0.69-1.19]; PL: 0.21 [0.15-0.26]; PH: 0.17 [0.12-0.22]; PPL: 0.17 [0.12-0.22]; PPH: 0.16 [0.10-0.25]; CS: 0.56 [0.41-0.74]; CI: 85 [80-92]; SIL: 65 [59-70]; SIW: 76 [69-81]; WL/HW: 178 [164-191]; PI: 121 [109-133]; PPI: 110 [87-128]; CSR: 179; (n=44).</p> <p>With the characteristics of the rotundatus species complex and: Scapes relatively long, almost reaching three quarters of the head (SL/HL~70).</p> <p>Funicular segment 2 slightly longer than wide, the rest subquadrate, the apical about twice longer than wide. Head rectangular, longer than wide (CI~90), convex laterally and widest at the middle. Occipital line straight. Ventrolateral margin present, continuing behind the head to one third of its length. Mandibles triangular with a long, sharp apical tooth followed by 5–6 denticles.</p> <p>Clypeus a row of 10–14 conical teeth, clearly visible and longer than wide, decreasing to the sides, sometimes eroded. Frontal ridges present, not projecting frontally and fused between the antennal sockets.</p> <p>Pronotum convex, mesopropodeal suture weak, concave and meeting the propodeum at an angle, this with a very reduced but discernible anterior slope and elevated. Transverse mesopleural groove not present. Mesometapleural suture present but very weak; propodeal ridge present but incomplete as a weak line even in the most sculptured specimens, incomplete and weak especially in minor workers, where it can be absent, never as a ridge; propodeal declivity concave below that line.</p> <p>Petiole sessile with anterolateral and anterodorsal ridges present, dorsolateral ridge present in the most sculptured workers as a thin line to the propodeal spiracle. Petiole with an anterior slope shaped as a quarter of ellipse, dorsal slope flat and almost vertical posteriorly.</p> <p>Postpetiole subrectangular with rounded angles and vertical anterior and posteriorly, without carinae or ridges of any kind. Subpetiolar process developed with a bulky paralepidepical to ellipsoidal process, followed by a lamellae variable in size from almost non-existent to about the size of the bulky process very short anteriorly and longer posteriorly, convex at the bottom (shark-fin shaped), usually longer posteriorly than anteriorly.</p> <p>Variable. Types of A. furibundus and A. rotundatus are as follows: head, pronotum and gaster smooth and shining; mandibles finely horizontally rugulose, scapes and funiculus punctuated, shagreened; mesonotum, propodeum, petiole and postpetiole strongly reticulated, matt.</p> <p>Overall colour dark brown, slightly lighter at gaster and apex of funiculus.</p> <p>Type of A. rotundatus var. merwei are smoother, with dorsopropodeum, petiole and postpetiole at most alutaceus and propodeal reticulation feeble, almost smooth at some individuals.</p> <p>Scattered decumbent white setae, shorter than petiole height, oriented backwards, present at head, dorsum of pronotum petiole, postpetiole and gaster. Dorsum of propodeum bare except for its posterior border, with 2–4 long erect setae. A few scattered, long, white, erect setae present at pronotum, petiole, postpetiole and gastral tergites, longer than petiole height.</p> <p>Scapes with white unequally long semierect setae, clearly longer than scape width. No pubescence noted.</p> <p>OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. KENYA: • Kajiado 11/01/1980 (Nyamaso, G.) (3w) [NHMUK012849299] BMNH • same data (6 pins, 3w each) [NHMUK012849300 to NHMUK012849305] BMNH • Rift Valley Province, Amboseli National Park 1144m, -2.8, 37.28 29/06/2002 (D. Martins). Acacia xanthophloea woodland (2w) [CASENT0764136] FHGC • same data (3 pins, 3w each) [CASENT0790560 to CASENT0790562] FHGC • Western Province, Kakamega Forest, Bukhaywa 1573m, 0.34581, 34.84806 01/07/2004. pitfall trap (F. Hita Garcia). farWLand near forest edge (3w), ground [CASENT0217160] FHGC • Western Province, Kakamega Forest, Buyangu, nr. KWS village (Kakamega), 0.35, 34.85 02/08/2002 (M. Peeters) (3w) [CASENT0790559] FHGC. NAMIBIA: • Otjiwarongo District, Okosongomingo Farm, 50 km ESE Otjiwarongo (Kakamega), -20.65, 17.083 16/11/1972 (C. L. Hogue) (1w) [CASENT0790571] FHGC. SOUTH AFRICA: • CSFRI, Nelspruit 29/01/1990 (Samways, M. J.). Citrus orchard (1w) [NHMUK012849255] BMNH • Mkuzi Res. (Natal) 02/06/1905 (Peeters, C.) (3w) [NHMUK012849325] BMNH • same data (5 pins, 3w each) [NHMUK012849262 to NHMUK012849266] BMNH. SUDAN: • Equatoria. Anglo-Egyptian Sudan 22/04/1905 (Weber) (2w) [NHMUK012849260] BMNH. TANZANIA: • no loc 07/06/1984 (Minja, E.) (3w) [NHMUK012849316] BMNH • same data (4 pins, 3w each) [NHMUK012849317 to NHMUK012849320] BMNH. ZIMBABWE: • Bulawayo (Arnold) (2 pins, 2w each) MHNG, • same data (4 pins, 3w each) MHNG • Bulawayo iii.1912 (4W) NHMB • Bulawayo 01/01/1912 (Arnold, G.) (3 pins, 4w each) [NHMUK012849257 to NHMUK012849259] BMNH • Bulawayo 17/11/1912 (Arnold, G.) (4w) [NHMUK012849253] BMNH • Insuza Rd. 16/02/1939 (6w) [NHMUK012849256] BMNH • Sawmills 01/05/1917 (Arnold) (5 pins, 1w each) [MRACFOR000033 to MRACFOR000037] MRAC.</p> <p>DISTRIBUTION. Southern and Eastern African, ranging from South Africa to Sudan (Fig. 58).</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA06B1418FDD0E3F7FACB2E1C	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA068141FFDDCE0C5FEA42A11.text	2C74010FA068141FFDDCE0C5FEA42A11.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus ugaduwensis Gómez 2022	<div><p>Aenictus ugaduwensis sp. nov.</p> <p>Zoobank: E07F494D-921D-4AD5-8831-DF1B1A45D0B6</p> <p>(Figs 59 A–D, 60)</p> <p>Holotype worker: • Burkina Faso, Ougadougou 06/09/1970 (Room, P.) (1w) [NHMUK012849272] BMNH.</p> <p>Paratype workers: • same series, (2 pins, 1w each) [NHMUK012849270, NHMUK012849271] BMNH.</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. Extrapolating information from only four workers is quite daring, especially in this group with a certain degree of polymorphism, but separation from the other species in the complex is feasible. The erect setae separates it from A. jacki sp. nov. and A. congolensis, the lack of propodeal ridge from A. weissi and the much shorter scapes from A. nyuyi sp. nov.</p> <p>Aenictus ugaduwensis sp. nov. resembles A. rotundatus or A. guineensis in its general aspect, but the head is clearly quadrate, the scapes are much shorter for the same size range (HW~0.7) and mesosoma is also stouter with lower values for WL/PRW.</p> <p>DESCRIPTION (Fig. 59 A–D). WORKER HL: 0.68 [0.65-0.69]; HW: 0.66 [0.65-0.67]; SL: 0.43 [0.41-0.45]; WL: 1.01 [0.94-1.05]; PL: 0.28 [0.26-0.28]; PH: 0.21 [0.21-0.22]; PPL: 0.23 [0.22- 0.23]; PPH: 0.20 [0.20-0.21]; CS: 0.67 [0.65-0.68]; CI: 97 [95-100]; SIL: 63 [62-65]; SIW: 65 [62-68]; WL/HW: 152 [143-159]; PI: 128 [122-133]; PPI: 111 [109-114]; CSR: 103; (n=4).</p> <p>With the characteristics of the rotundatus species complex and: scapes short, (SL/HL~62). Funicular segments 1-2 slightly longer than wide, enlarging to the apical, which is twice longer than wide. Head quadrate (CI~95–100), convex laterally and widest at the middle. Occipital line straight. Ventrolateral margin absent. Mandibles triangular with a long, sharp apical tooth followed by 4–5 denticles, sometimes eroded seeming edentate. Clypeus a row of conical teeth, clearly visible and longer than wide, decreasing to the sides, sometimes eroded. Frontal ridges present, not projecting frontally and not fused between the antennal sockets.</p> <p>Pronotum convex, mesopropodeal suture present, concave and meeting the propodeum at an angle. Transverse mesopleural groove absent; propodeal ridge present as a weak dark line, sometimes incomplete laterally; propodeal declivity concave below that line.</p> <p>Petiole sessile with anterolateral and anterodorsal ridges present, dorsolateral absent. Petiole anteriorly a quarter of ellipse, rounded, and almost vertical posteriorly. Postpetiole subrectangular with rounded angles and vertical anterior and posteriorly faces, without carinae. Subpetiolar process developed with a bulky quarter of ellipse facing forward and a triangular rounded lamellae facing downwards, from straight to shark-fin shaped.</p> <p>Head, scapes, pronotum, dorsum of mesonotum, dorsopropodeum, postpetiole and gaster glassy smooth; mandibles finely horizontally rugulose, with its apical tooth smooth; mesopleurae and lateropropodeum finely reticulated, lateral sides of petiole and postpetiole alutaceus to reticulated. Overall colour yellowish brown in the type series, brown in the Senegal sample, darker at mesonotum, petiole and postpetiole.</p> <p>Medium to long decumbent white setae, oriented backwards, present at head, dorsum of pronotum petiole, postpetiole and gaster. Dorsum of propodeum bare. A few scattered, long, white, erect setae present at pronotum, petiole, postpetiole and gaster, longer than petiole height. Scapes with white unequally long decumbent to semierect setae, clearly longer than scape width. No pubescence noted.</p> <p>DERIVATIO NOMINIS. The species name ugaduwensis is a masculine Latin adjective in the nominative case and refers to the location the ant was collected.</p> <p>OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. SENEGAL: • Kedougou, Neménick, Niokolo Koba 10 km W (Niokolo Koba NP), 13.0764, - 12.78196 01/08-07/11/2018. Winkler (Diallo, A.). Savannah (1w) [KGCOL00581] KGPC.</p> <p>DISTRIBUTION. West Africa, known from the Sahelian regions in Burkina Faso and Senegal (Fig. 60).</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA068141FFDDCE0C5FEA42A11	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
2C74010FA06E1402FDDDE5BBFEE32DAA.text	2C74010FA06E1402FDDDE5BBFEE32DAA.taxon	http://purl.org/dc/dcmitype/Text	http://rs.tdwg.org/ontology/voc/SPMInfoItems#GeneralDescription	text/html	en	Aenictus weissi Santschi 1910	<div><p>Aenictus weissi Santschi, 1910</p> <p>(Figs 61 A–D, 62)</p> <p>Aenictus weissi SANTSCHI, 1910: 354, fig. 2 (w.)</p> <p>Syntype, GABON (as Congo fr.): Gomba (A. Weiss) (1w) [CASENT0911444] NHMB [Examined]; Syntype, GABON, 1914 (F. Faure) (1w) MHNG [Examined].</p> <p>Aenictus weissi Santschi; SANTSCHI, 1920: 9 (Q.) (Cited, but not described).</p> <p>DIAGNOSIS. The lack of a developed subpetiolar process and the presence of a horizontal propodeal ridge separates this species from the rest in the rotundatus complex except for A. nyuyi sp. nov., but both species are separable by the shorter scapes (SIL&lt;75 against SIL&gt;80).</p> <p>Type material is referred to Congo Francaise, Gomba. I’m assuming this location refers to Gomba city in Gabon. Although different catalogues cite the queen caste as described in SANTSCHI (1920), this reference only cites the species from Gabon, so the queen remains undescribed.</p> <p>The specimen from Gr. Batanga (Cameroon) labelled as type has two identification labels: Aenictus weissi wasmanni Santschi and Aenictus rixator v. congolensis. Two more workers with the same data seem to belong to the same series and are labelled as Aenictus weissi wasmanni Santschi. This material is referred here to A. weissi, as A. weissi wasmanni seems to be unpublished.</p> <p>DESCRIPTION (Fig. 61 A–D). WORKER. HL: 0.65 [0.58-0.76]; HW: 0.53 [0.45-0.64]; SL: 0.45 [0.41-0.51]; WL: 0.99 [0.85-1.16]; PL: 0.24 [0.20-0.28]; PH: 0.18 [0.12-0.23]; PPL: 0.19 [0.16- 0.24]; PPH: 0.15 [0.11-0.18]; CS: 0.59 [0.52-0.70]; CI: 81 [75-87]; SIL: 69 [66-72]; SIW: 85 [77-93]; WL/HW: 186 [171-200]; PI: 134 [114-191]; PPI: 127 [111-163]; CSR: 134; (n=22).</p> <p>Scapes moderately long, reaching three quarters of the head when laid back (SIL~70). Funicular segments 1 and 2 longer than wide, 3–7 subquadrate, apical twice and a half times longer than wide.</p> <p>Head rectangular, longer than wide (CI ~ 80), convex laterally and widest at the middle, occipital line straight, ventrolateral margin not developing ventrally. Mandibles with a long, sharp apical tooth and 5–8 smaller triangular denticles. Frontal ridges present, not projecting anteriorly and not fused between sockets, intersection between anterior and vertical ridges elevated into a triangular lobe; parafrontal ridges weakly developed but present, in lateral view forming a small rounded triangle; in basal view parafrontal ridges about the same size than frontal ridges; both structures not extending from the antennal sockets.</p> <p>Transverse mesopleural groove and mesometapleural suture present but not deeply impressed. Propodeal declivity slightly convex, encircled by a well-developed ridge, wider dorsally than laterally and projecting as a shelf in dorsal view.</p> <p>Petiole with anterolateral and anterodorsal ridges well developed, dorsolateral absent. Petiolar dome with an anterior face sloping at 45 degrees approximately, anterodorsal angle obtuse, posterodorsal angle right, both rounded. Postpetiole with an anterior and posterior vertical faces and dorsal surface horizontal, but smaller than petiolar anterodorsal surface; anterodorsal angle obtuse, posterodorsal right, both domes without carinae or ridges of any kind. Subpetiolar process small, with an anterior face vertical or slightly anteriorly oriented, the rest shaped as a quarter of ellipse and without lamellae.</p> <p>Head, scapes, pronotum, mesonotum, dorsopetiole and dorsopostpetiole, legs and gaster glassy smooth. Mesopleurae, metanotum and propodeum strongly reticulated. Lateropetiole and lateropostpetiole from alutaceus to reticulated. Some (4–5) horizontal rugulae present on metapleurae and anterior half of lateropropodeum. 1–2 horizontal rugulae may continue above the propodeal spiracle and on to the metapleural lobes. Overall colour light to dark brown, darker on head and mesosoma.</p> <p>Whole body with sparse long decumbent to semierect white setae, including head, scapes and legs. Dorsum of propodeum bare except for its anterior and posterior borders. The length of the setae comparable to petiole height. No pubescence noted.</p> <p>OTHER MATERIAL EXAMINED. CAMEROON: • Sud, P. N. Campo, 43.3 km 108° ESE Campo 290 m, 2.2825, 10.20617 04/07/2000. MW 50 sample transect, 5m (B.L.Fisher). rainforest (1w), sifted litter (leaf mold, rotten wood) [CASENT0746806] CASC • Sud-Ouest, Mabete, Victoria Div., 4.01667, 9.21667 24/05-07/06/2000 (B. Malkin) (2 pins, 3w) [CASENT0810232, CASENT0810233] CASC • Gr. Batanga 07/1912 (Schwab) (1w) [CASENT0911445] NHMB • same data (2 pins, 1w each) [CASENT08400035, CASENT0911445] NHMB • Cameroon, Gr. Batanga (Schwab) (2w) Coll. Forel MHNG • Minko Meyos, 15 km S Yaoundé 03/1997 (Mercier, J. L.). Mango (4 pins, 3w each) [NHMUK012849290 to NHMUK012849293] BMNH • Yaoundé 23/03/1989 (Dejean, A.) (5w) [NHMUK012849289] BMNH • same data (5 pins, 3w each) [NHMUK012849283 to NHMUK012849287] BMNH. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: • Ituri, grotte Yoloha-firi, Mont Hoyo (Park National Albert) 1030m 25/07-09/08/1955 (P. Vanschytbroeck) (2 pins, 1w each) [RBINSFOR002236, RBINSFOR002237] RBINS. GABON: • Woleu-Ntem, 31.3 km 108° ESE Minvoul 600 m, 2.08, 12.40667 12/02/1998 (B.L.Fisher). rainforest (1w), ground forager(s) [CASENT0317076] CASC • same data (3w) [CASENT0317078], (3w) [CASENT0317079]; (2w) [CASENT0822358 to CASENT0822361]; (3w) [CASENT0822362 to CASENT0822368]; (2w) [CASENT0822369]; (3w) [CASENT0822370 to CASENT0822373]; (2w) [CASENT0822374, CASENT0822375]; (1w) [CASENT0822381]; (2w) [CASENT0822382]; (3w) [CASENT0822383]; (1w) [CASENT0822384, CASENT0822385]; (3w) [CASENT0822386 to CASENT0822389]. GHANA: • Cocoa Research Institute (Tafo) 23/12/1991 (Belshaw, R.). Secondary Forest (1w), Leaf litter [NHMUK012849288] BMNH • Tafo 20/02/1968 (Bolton, B.) (1w), Rotten log [NHMUK012849273] BMNH • New Tafo C.R.I.G. 23/06/1979 (Gotwald, W.) (5 pins, 1w each) [FMNH-INS 0000 053 880, FMNH-INS 0000 053 881 and FMNH-INS 0000 053 996 to FMNH-INS 0000 053 998] FMNH • Pankese 30/09/1968 (Bolton, B.) (3 pins, 3w each), On cocoa [NHMUK012849274 to NHMUK012849276] BMNH • Kumasi, Bobiri Forest Reserve, 6.69048, -1.33828 10/01/2019. Hand (Gomez, K.). Prim. unlog. For. (2w), ex. Rotten log [KGCOL00583] KGPC. GUINEA: • Nzérékoré, Forêt vallée de Zié (Mount Nimba), 7.67333, -8.37267 24/04/2017. Monolithe (Kolo, Y.). Forest (1w) [KY00119GUI] YKPC • Nzérékoré, Transition Mt Leclerc (Mount Nimba), 7.67075, -8.41525 19/04/2017. Pitfall (Kolo, Y.) (1w) [KY00121GUI] YKPC • Nzérékoré, Valée de Zié (2) (Nimba) 1186m 14/11/2017. Canopy fogging (D. van der Spiegel). Sec. For. near river (1w), Covery 60% [MRACFOR000762] MRAC. IVORY COAST: • Dené (Man) 09/03/1977 (I. Löbl). For. Litter near river (1w) [MHNGENT000012639] MHNG. KENYA: • Western Province, Kakamega Forest, Bukhaywa 1573m, 0.34581, 34.84806 01/07/2004. pitfall trap (F. Hita Garcia). farWLand near forest edge (1w), ground [CASENT0764141] FHGC • Western Province, Kakamega Forest, Yala Forest Fragment 1600m, 0.2025, 34.86833 01/05/2008. pitfall trap (M. Peeters). primary forest (1w), leaf litter [CASENT0790572] FHGC • Western Province, Kakamega District, Ivakale 1650m, 0.36936, 34.8915 21/07/2007. winkler (G. Fischer). subsistence farWLand (1w), leaf litter [CASENT0790573] FHGC. NIGERIA: • Black Pod Project (CRIN) 06/10/1975 (Taylor, B.) (1w), On cocoa [NHMUK012849277] BMNH • Gambari 26/06/1969 (Bolton, B.) (1w), On cocoa [NHMUK012849280] BMNH, • same data (2 pins, 1w each) [NHMUK012849278, NHMUK012849279] BMNH • Ibadan (IITA) 11/1987 (Noyes, J.) (2w), On cocoa [NHMUK012849282] BMNH, same data (3w) [NHMUK012849281] BMNH. RWANDA: • South. Prov., Coeb (Huye) 1700m, -2.61795, 28.95637. Hand (Dekoninck, W.). Ruderal (3w), For. ground [KG05522] KGAC • same data (1w) [KGCOL02097] KGAC • South. Prov., Herbarium (Huye) 1700m, -2.62013, 29.74133. Hand (Dekoninck, W.). Ruderal (1w), For. ground [KGCOL02095] KGAC. UGANDA: • Bundibugyo, Semuliki National Park 701 m, 0.82199, 30.15919 18/08/2012 (B.L. Fisher et al.). rainforest edge (1w), ground forager(s) [CASENT0317966] CASC • same data (1w) [CASENT0317967, CASENT0317968] CASC • Bundibugyo, Sempaya, SeWLiki NP 700m, 0.82987, 30.16558 18/08/2012. search (J. Longino). road/forest edge (11w, ethanol), column on ground [JTL687068] JTLC • same series (3w) [KGCOL00582] KGPC.</p> <p>DISTRIBUTION. West and Central Africa, from Guinea in the West to the Kenyan Forest to the East (Fig. 62).</p></div> 	http://treatment.plazi.org/id/2C74010FA06E1402FDDDE5BBFEE32DAA	Public Domain	No known copyright restrictions apply. See Agosti, D., Egloff, W., 2009. Taxonomic information exchange and copyright: the Plazi approach. BMC Research Notes 2009, 2:53 for further explanation.		Plazi	Gómez, Kiko	Gómez, Kiko (2022): A revision of the Afrotropical species of the Dorylinae ant genus Aenictus (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) based on the worker caste. Belgian Journal of Entomology 124: 1-86, DOI: http://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5898821
