Aenictus luzoni Wheeler et Chapman

Jaitrong, Weeyawat & Yamane, Seiki, 2011, Synopsis of Aenictus species groups and revision of the A. curra x and A. laeviceps groups in the eastern Oriental, Indo-Australian, and Australasian regions (Hymenoptera: Formicidae: Aenictinae), Zootaxa 3128, pp. 1-46 : 40-41

Aenictus luzoni Wheeler et Chapman

( Figs. 31–32 )

Aenictus luzoni Wheeler and Chapman, 1925: 48 , pl. 1, figs. 1–2; Wilson, 1964: 470, figs., 19–20; Bolton, 1995: 60.

Types. Two syntype workers from Philippines, Luzon, Ilocos Norte Prov., Bangui (MCZC, examined). One worker is selected as the lectotype, the other as paralectotype.

Measurements. Worker lectotype and paralectotype (n = 2): TL 3.95– 4.00 mm; HL 0.85–0.88 mm; HW 0.78 mm; SL 0.73–0.75 mm; ML 1.38–1.43 mm; PL 0.33 mm; CI 89–91; SI 94–97.

Redescription of worker (lectotype and paralectotype). Head in full-face view slightly longer than broad, with sides and posterior margin feebly convex; occipital margin bearing a carina. Antennal scape relatively short and thin, not reaching the posterolateral corner of head; antennal segments II–X each longer than broad; II slightly longer than each of III–VII. Frontal carina short, slightly extending beyond the posterior margin of torulus. Anterior margin of clypeus convex, bearing several denticles. Masticatory margin of mandible with a large apical tooth followed by a medium-sized subapical tooth, 4 denticles, and a medium-sized basal tooth; basal margin lacking denticles. Mesosoma relatively slender; promesonotum in profile convex dorsally and sloping gradually to metanotal groove; dorsal outline of propodeum almost straight; area between propodeal spiracle and metanotal gland bulla impressed; propodeal junction rounded; declivity feebly concave, not margined dorsally and laterally. Petiole relatively short, almost as long as high; its node in dorsal outline strongly convex; subpetiolar process weakly developed, triangular, apex directed downward and forward; postpetiole almost as long as petiole.

Entire head including antennal scape smooth and shiny. Mandible very finely striate except along masticatory margin. Mesosoma entirely smooth and shiny, except for metapleuron and metanotal groove that have irregular longitudinal rugae; propodeal dorsum with about 3–5 short longitudinal rugae. Petiole and postpetiole entirely smooth and shiny. Legs entirely smooth and shiny.

Head and mesosoma dorsally with relatively sparse standing hairs mixed with sparse short hairs over the surface; longest pronotal hair 0.20 mm long. Entire body reddish-brown. Typhlatta spot located anterior to occipital corner.

Non-type material examined. PHILIPPINES: Luzon, Ilocos Norte Prov., Bangui, 27 V 1913, C.S. Banks leg. ( MCZC).

Distribution. Philippines (Luzon and Negros) ( Fig. 63 ).

Bionomics. Nothing is mentioned about the bionomics of A. luzoni by Wheeler and Chapman (1925) and Wilson (1964). So far this species has been known only from the Philippines.

Remarks. A. luzoni is most similar to A. alticola in having the subpetiolar process low and anteriorly angulate. See under A. alticola .

Figures

FIGURES 26 – 32. Workers of Aenictus laeviceps group. 26, 27, A. alticola, lectotype; 28 – 30, A. fulvus sp. nov., holotype; 31, 32, A. luzoni, lectotype. 26, 28, 31, Head in full-face view; 27, 29, 32, habitus in profile; 30, dorsal view of body.

FIGURES 63 – 66. Distribution of Aenictus laeviceps group. 63, A. alticola, A. binghami, and A. fulvus sp. nov., A. luzoni; 64, A. bodongjaya sp. nov., A. breviceps, A. brevinodus sp. nov., and A. montivagus sp. nov.; 65, A. hodgsoni, and A. laeviceps; 66, A. sonchaengi sp. nov., A. rotundicollis sp. nov., and A. siamensis sp. nov.