Asphinctopone differens

Bolton, Barry & Fisher, Brian L., 2008, The Afrotropical ponerine ant genus Asphinctopone Santschi (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 1827, pp. 53-61 : 59-61

Asphinctopone differens Bolton & Fisher sp. n.

( Figs 1 c,d; 2b,d)

Holotype worker. TL 3.7, HL 0.82, HW 0.66, CI 81, SL 0.61, SI 92, PW 0.48, WL 1.06. Answering the description of silvestrii , above, but differing as follows.

Side of propodeum entirely densely irregularly sculptured.

Dorsum of propodeum with a pelt of fine short pubescence that is erect and weakly curved.

In addition, pubescence on the pronotum and mesonotum is more dense and more elevated than in silvestrii . The propodeal dorsum in profile is longer and flatter than in any silvestrii specimen examined, but the latter shows variation in the shape of the propodeum, and as only a single specimen of differens is known it is impossible to tell if the sclerite also shows variation here. In differens the dorsal margin of the anepisternum is distinctly concave, whereas in all known silvestrii specimens it is flat to very feebly sinuate.

Holotype worker, Central African Republic: P.N. Dzanga-Ndoki, 37.9 km. 169°S Lidjombo, 2°22’N, 16°10’E, 360 m., 21.v.2001, #4130(30), CASENT 0 417143, sifted litter, rainforest (B.L. Fisher) ( CASC).

The two species are obviously very closely related. We infer they are two distinct species because (1) specimens of silvestrii are known from the type-locality of differens and thus occur in sympatry and (2) the differences between the single specimen of differens and all the observed material of silvestrii are distinct for multiple non-overlapping characters

Figures

FIGURE 1. Asphinctopone spp. full face and lateral view. A – B, silvestrii worker, CASENT 0178222; C – D, differens holotype worker CASENT 0417143.