Centromyrmex angolensis Santschi

Bolton, Barry & Fisher, Brian L., 2008, Afrotropical ants of the ponerine genera Centromyrmex Mayr, Promyopias Santschi gen. rev. and Feroponera gen. n., with a revised key to genera of African Ponerinae (Hymenoptera: Formicidae), Zootaxa 1929, pp. 1-37 : 15

Centromyrmex angolensis Santschi stat. n.

( Figs 7–10 )

Centromyrmex constanciae var. angolensis Santschi, 1937: 214 . Holotype worker, ANGOLA: Sangévé (A. Monard) (NHMB) [examined]. Stat. n.

WORKER. TL 4.3–6.2, HL 0.76–0.98, HW 0.78–1.00, CI 98–103, ML 0.49–0.70, MI 63–71, SL 0.58–0.74, SI 69–76, PW 0.58–0.82, WL 1.26–1.70 (30 measured).

With characters of the genus and the feae group. Head capsule in full-face view usually appears slightly longer than broad, sometimes about as long as broad, CI 103 or usually less. Mandibles smooth with scattered small punctures. Masticatory margin of mandible with 7–10 small, low indistinct teeth, reduced to mere crenulations or even more or less smooth in the proximal half when worn. Basal angle of mandible rounded, frequently without trace of a basal tooth but sometimes with a vestigial tooth. Dorsum of head with scattered punctures on smooth cuticle; on sides of head the punctures denser than on dorsum, and also with weak striation within the antennal fossae and on the sides, especially anteriorly. Extent of the striate component is variable. Metatibia with only normal setae dorsally but its anterior surface, at the apex and approximately opposite the pectinate spur, with a single, much stouter and sometimes more darkly coloured spiniform seta. Petiole node in dorsal view broader than long. Pronotal dorsum, and anterior mesonotum, with widely scattered broad, shallow punctures that may be almost effaced. Pronotum dorsally also usually with variable weak oblique or arched faint disorganised sculpture, almost effaced in some specimens. Colour yellow to light brown.

QUEEN. TL 6.0–6.4, HL 0.94–0.96, HW 0.98–1.02, CI 104–106, OI 31–32, ML 0.63–0.65, MI 66–68, SL 0.70–0.74, SI 71–73, PW 0.94–0.96, WL 1.88–1.94 (4 measured). Very similar to the worker but the head averaging slightly broader. The queen will run out successfully in the key to workers. The unique worker character of a single thickly spiniform seta at the anterior apex of metatibia is duplicted in the queen caste.

MALE. Known; see under diagnosis of genus.

Closely related to sellaris but worker and queen always with just a single spiniform seta at the inner apex of the metatibia, and always with a narrower head. In addition, the basal dentition of the mandible of angolensis can usually be distinguished from that of sellaris , as discussed under the latter name.

Recorded on specimen data labels from termitaries of Apitermes and Protermes , though the range of prey is probably much wider.

Material examined. Liberia: Reputa (W.M. Mann). Ivory Coast: For. de Teke, Anyama (T. Diomande); F.C. Cavally (K. Yeo). Ghana: Mt Atewa (R.W. Taylor). Cameroun: Kala (A. Dejean); Mbalmayo (N. Stork); Prov. Sud, P.N. Campo, ESE Campo (B.L. Fisher). Gabon: CNRS Makokou (W.H. Gotwald); Plateau d’Ipassa (J.A. Barra); Prov. Woleu-Ntem, ESE Minvoul (B.L. Fisher); Prov. Ogooue-Maritime, Res. Moukalaba, NW Doussala (B.L. Fisher). Central African Republic: P.N. Dzanga-Ndoki, NE Bayanga (B.L. Fisher); P.N. Dzanga-Ndoki, Lidjombo (B.L. Fisher). Democratic Republic of Congo: Epulu (A.E. Emerson); Epulu (S.D. Torti); Epulu (Ross & Leech); NW Kolwesi (Ross & Leech); Yangambi Reserve (Raignier & van Boven). Angola: Sangévé (A. Monard).

Figures

FIGURES 1 – 8. Full face and lateral view of body. Figs 1 – 2: Centromyrmex bequaerti worker CASENT 0005922; Figs 3 – 4: C. bequaerti queen CASENT 006695; Figs 5 – 6: C. secutor paratype worker CASENT 0178749; Fig. 7 – 8: C. angolensis worker CASENT 0417147.

FIGURES 9 – 16. Full face and lateral view of body. Figs 9 – 10: Centromyrmex angolensis queen CASENT 0417149; Figs 11 – 12: C. decessor holotype worker CASENT 0178744; Figs 13 – 14: C. ereptor holotype worker CASENT 0081171; Figs: 15 – 16, C. fugator paratype worker CASENT 0178747.