Cardiocondyla neferka, Bolton, 1982

Seifert, Bernhard, 2024, A taxonomic revision of the ants of the Cardiocondyla wroughtonii group (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) with a checklist of the Cardiocondyla species of the world, Soil Organisms (London, England) 96 (2), pp. 113-144 : 138

Cardiocondyla neferka Bolton 1982

[investigation of type]

This taxon has been described from Ghana. Investigated was the holotype worker labelled ‘ Mampong GHANA 10.2. 70 P. Room’ and ‘ Cardiocondyla neferka Bolton det. B.Bolton, 1981’, BMNH London .

Geographic range. Known so far only in two single specimens from Ghana: Mampong, 1970.02.10 and Nigeria: Gambari , 1969.06.10 .

Diagnosis: -- Worker ( Tab. 2, Figs 49–51, key): Small, CS 408 µm. Head very long, CL/CW 1.224. Median third of anterior clypeal margin suggestedly concave, hind margin of vertex slightly convex. Postocular distance rather large, PoOc/CL 0.462. Frons narrow (FRS/CS 0.226); frontal carinae diverging frontad (FL/ FR 1.115). Eye rather small, EYE/CS 0.243 and without microsetae. Scape moderately long, SL/CS 0.770. Dorsal promesonotal profile slightly convex, dorsal propodeal profile with stronger convexity. Metanotal depression well-developed (MGR/CS 3.54 %), in profile with shallow (30°) anterior and posterior slopes. Pronotal shoulders more developed than in weserka , each forming a rounded angle of 120°. Propodeal spiracle very small, its inner diameter only 6 µm. Propodeal spines long (SP/CS 0.204) and rather thin, their axis in profile deviating from longitudinal mesosomal axis by 26°, in dorsal view slightly incurved and their bases less widely distant than in weserka (SPBA/CS 0.271). Petiole narrow but high (PeW/CS 0.264, PeH/CS 0.349); its node longer than wide, lateral view massive and with a relatively short peduncle. Postpetiole rather wide and high (PpW/CS 0.478, PpH/CS 0.294); in dorsal view a little wider than long, with a clearly concave anterior margin and angulate-convex sides; postpetiolar sternite anterolaterally with a rounded lobiform protrusion on each side which clearly elevates above the level of median surface of sternite; the surface of the sternite thus appearing deeply concave in frontal view. Clypeus with two carinae running to the lateral margins of the concavity. Frontal laminae and clypeus with scattered smaller foveolae. Whole head and mesosoma without longitudinal sculpture. Vertex with deeply impressed, flat-bottomed foveolae of 15–18 µm diameter in a densely-packed arrangement; foveolae showing an inner corona (tubercle) of 8–9 µm diameter. Dorsal promesonotum irregularly microreticulate-corrugated, frontal pronotum in the transitional zone from dorsal plane to declivity foveolate. Dorsomedian propodeum rather shiny, finely microreticulate. Whole lateral mesosoma strongly microreticulate. Dorsal plane of petiole rather smooth, only microreticulate, the node in lateral view strongly microreticulate. Postpetiolar node shiny but finely microreticulate. First gaster tergite with a rather long and rather dilute pubescence (PLG/CS 7.52 %, sqPDG 3.78) and a very fine, widelymeshed microreticulum. Type worker: whole body light yellowish brown. Gambari worker: head, mesosoma, and petiole light yellowish brown, postpetiole a little darker, antennal club dark brown, gaster blackish brown.

Comments. See the statements under C. weserka .

Biology. Unknown.